The 21-year-old combat fitness instructor at Tamworth’s Fitness Plus has also been studying karate at Chaffey’s Black Belt Academy for the past two years.

The green belt has competed in various karate competitions but is also now branching out into muay thai after the Chaffeys, Clint, Scott and Kristie, all became proficient instructors last year.

“They’ve all been a big help for me,” Malachii Schofield told The Leader yesterday.

“My first fight, fought a few karate tournaments but I absolutely love the muay thai.”

He doesn’t know who his first opponent is but he knows he is fighting at Tahmoor in the Bush Bash Fight Night and in the 75kg weight division.

“I’ve been training hard for this the last eight weeks,” he said.

Clint Chaffey said Malachii will be the first student from the Chaffey Black Belt Academy to fight muay Thai.

“He’s had a busy eight weeks leading up, training, sparring, pad work and cross fit,” Chaffey said.

“Muay thai has been introduced into our academy three weeks ago and classes have been huge.

“We also have an Australian UFC fighter, Kyle Noke, coming to train with us on March 30 and that seminar is open to anyone.”