Vahid Unesi of Kings Academy will compete in this Saturday’s 92kg King in the Ring tournament at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, against the best 92kg kickboxers New Zealand has to offer.

43-year-old Unesi is a veteran of the fight game, being the current WKA New Zealand champion in 84kg MMA and 94kg kickboxing. He is also an accomplished grappler, being a multiple-time national and regional champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Unesi runs the Kings Academy in Auckland, the gym that his student Arshia Ebadi (current 68kg King in the Ring champion) fights out of. Ebadi won the tournament in 2019 when he was 18 years old.

If Unesi were to win the tournament, that would make two Iranian King in the Ring champions concurrently, as both he and Arshia Ebadi are of Iranian descent. Additionally, they would be the youngest and oldest to win a King in the Ring tournament.

Fight News took the opportunity to ask Vahid Unesi a few questions ahead of Saturday’s tournament.

Hi Vahid. You fought on the undercard of the last 92kg King in the Ring in 2019. Have you been waiting for this opportunity to fight in the tournament?

“As a fighter, I’m always willing to fight. Then this opportunity came up and I talked to Jason [Suttie, promoter] and I had a tickling in my body and couldn’t resist it.”

Have you fought any of the tournament competitors before?

“No, I haven’t fought any of them before.”

I saw you recently wearing an Oliver MMA t-shirt. You’re a trainer at both Kings Academy and Oliver MMA?

“I am the director of Kings Academy. Kings Academy is the name suggested to me by Steve Oliver, he designed the logo. My management team loved it and that’s how we started.

“I trained under Steve Oliver. Oliver MMA is my roots.”

Most people stop competing in their 30’s. What is your mindset coming in at 43 years old?

“I’m the oldest guy, I’m like a grandpa in this game. I am following in the path of my heroes such as Mark Hunt.

“On the one hand, I have nothing to lose, because if they beat an old guy, what are you gonna get from it?

“On the other hand, have you ever seen a grandpa lose to their grandchildren? I will make sure that I earn the respect of whoever steps in front of me.”

Your student Arshia is a King in the Ring champion. Tell me about the dynamic between you two.

“Arshia’s Dad is my best friend. I’ve known Arshia since he was about two years old.

“Arshia is the youngest King in the Ring champion. On the other hand, if I win the tournament, I will be the oldest King in the Ring champion.”

Vahid Unesi (left) with his student Arshia Ebadi after winning the 68kg King in the Ring tournament in 2019 (photo: Facebook).

You promoted Born to Fight 8 last weekend. How do you juggle being trainer, promoter, and fighter?

“This is what I love to do. You never get tired of doing something good when you are doing it with heart. I run my fight event to give an opportunity to NZ fighters and help them to achieve their goals. It helps me to feel supercharged.

“I am more a training partner for our team, rather than a trainer. Kings Academy’s main trainers are Chris Martin, Richie Supa Nola, Eli Repuena, Yo, Haks, Kyle and Ricky Chadderton. It’s teamwork that makes the dream work!”

“I believe I was a born fighter. Not only in martial arts but in my entire life.”

Who do you think you’ll face in the final?

“One fight at a time, haha. I’ve got to win the first fight first! I did see the line-up and all of them know what they are doing.

“We all have one goal: to be the champion. We are gonna kill each other in the ring, but we are gonna respect each other.

“As a fighter, it’s similar to being in the army. If you’re in the army on the front lines, that is a privilege, to die for your country.

“As a fighter, it’s a privilege to die in the ring. While I’m in there, I’m gonna kill them in the ring, but I’m gonna kill them with honour, not with hate.”

“I do respect them, but in the ring, I am gonna fight them to death.”

Will this be the last time you make the walk to the ring?

“I’m going to kill or die in there, but if I make it out alive, then I will make a decision.”

Thanks for the interview Vahid. Looking forward to seeing you in action on Saturday night.

You can follow Vahid Unesi on his athlete Facebook page. Keep an eye on the Kings Academy Facebook page for updates on his fighters and events.

King in the Ring 92 III will take place this Saturday, December 5 from 7:30pm, at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland. Tickets are available from Eventfinda or you can watch the action on Sky Sport.