Ever since 2009, I’ve been photographing Combat Sports. This all came about when a good friend of mine asked if I’d cover an event that he was organizing. I said yes — and since then, I’ve never looked back.
That first opportunity turned into an enduring commitment. Sixteen years on, I’m still shooting his events, now known as Gladiators Fight Nights, through which, many more other doors have opened up for me.
31 editions of Gladiators Fight Nights
6 editions of Gladiators Amateurs Fight Nights
1 Smash 8 – Guinness World Record event
2 events in Sicily
1 MKBA Malta Nationals
1 Valkyries event
1 ISKA AMA European Championships 2025
• Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a striking Martial Art that utilizes punches and kicks, focusing on four points of contact: both hands and both feet.
• K-1
K-1 Kickboxing is a stand-up Combat Sport that combines elements of Karate, traditional Kickboxing (including Dutch, Savate, Muay Thai, and Western styles), together with Kung Fu. The “K” stands for these influences, whilst the “1” represents the sport’s competitive nature — aiming to crown the best fighters through to high-level competition.
• Muay Thai
Muay Thai, known as “The Art of Eight Limbs,” is a Martial Art from Thailand that uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. With origins dating back over 800 years, Muay Thai has become a highly respected form of combat and self-defense. Many practitioners are trained from childhood, developing both skill and discipline through this sport.
• Boxing
Boxing is a Combat Sport focused on striking an opponent with the fists, targeting the head and upper body. The goal is to outscore the opponent or achieve a knockout. Unlike Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), boxing permits only punches, making it a more specialized discipline.
Photographing this genre of Combat Sports is as tough as the sport itself — demanding total concentration and focusing, for the fighters, as well as the photographers too.
It’s not a genre suited for everyone. While shooting, you’re very often hit by flying sweat, blood, and other unpredictable elements. You’re right in the middle of the action, and that intensity comes with its own conditions and risks.
Lighting conditions can vary drastically, with low light being a frequent challenge. This often requires shooting at high ISO settings — anywhere from 3200 up to 16,000 — depending on the venue and available lighting.
Freezing motion effectively, I aim for a Shutter Speed of around 1/1000. My Aperture usually sits between f/2.8 and f/4, depending on the lens in use.
Capturing these fast-paced moments also means relying heavily on Continuous Shooting Mode and Eye Detection Autofocus — both are essential tools to keep up with the speed and intensity of each fight, each moment.
How Many Photos Do I Take?
Usually? Thousands — I’m not joking!
Of course, not all of them make the final cut. I go through every frame, selecting only the best: sharp action shots, corner moments, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and the victorious celebrations.
It's not just about the fights themselves but also about what’s happening around the ring. Besides the fights, rest assured, there’s always something to relate and make sure to capture that form part of the story too. Here are some of the areas I keep in mind:
The event actually kicks off the day before, with the press conference and fighter weigh-ins. These moments are just as important to capture — they set the tone, build tension, give a glimpse into the personalities and mindsets of the athletes before they step into the ring. Basically, a taste of what is yet to come.
My work continues even after the final bell. I head to Team Noel Gym to photograph the fighters and their team — group portraits, individual shots, profile images are used for fight posters, portfolios, and social media. It’s all about capturing the full journey, not just the action within the ring itself.
Maltese Successes
Daniel “The Jet” Zahra
WKN European Champion
Two WKN World Champion
WKN Intercontinental Champion
Jesred Piscopo
WMKF Semi-Pro World Title
WKN European Semi-Pro Title
WKN World Semi-Pro Title
WKN Intercontinental Pro Title
Christopher Rotin
