A star-studded night of Australian Muay Thai lit up The Star Casino on the Gold Coast as War On The Shore 25 delivered world title action, highlight-reel finishes, and a packed, electric atmosphere.

In the main event, James “Sweet As” Honey closed the show in emphatic fashion, stopping the UK’s Joe Craven with a devastating second-round knockout to successfully defend his WMO World Middleweight Title.

With the victory, Honey becomes the first Australian male to defend a WMO World Title, adding another milestone to his already decorated career. The performance was a statement on home soil and an early Knockout of the Year contender.

James Honey knockout Joe Craven War On The Shore 25 WMO World Title Gold Coast — James “Sweet As” Honey knocks out Joe Craven in Round 2 to defend his WMO World Title at War On The Shore 25 on the Gold Coast // Scottya Photography

The co-main event delivered three rounds of high-paced action as 2025 Aus MuayThai Fighter of the Year Josh King took on Sydney’s Kobe Sandilands, who stepped in on two weeks’ notice following the withdrawal of original opponent Finlay Smith due to injury.

Despite Sandilands’ toughness and durability, King controlled the bout from start to finish, earning a unanimous decision victory. The win extends Josh King’s remarkable run to 13 consecutive victories, continuing the dominant streak of the Gold Coast standout.

Australian cruiserweight Kyl “The Bomber” Juler continued his impressive run of finishes, stopping England’s Jimmy Killick in the second round. The victory marks four consecutive stoppage wins for Juler, further cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most dangerous finishers.

In one of the most anticipated matchups of the night, the super lightweight clash between Jaga Chan and Jye Van Polen ended early in dramatic fashion. Chan landed a crushing step through elbow that broke Van Polen’s nose, sending him to the canvas. Although the Mackay fighter showed toughness to beat the count, the ringside doctor ruled him unable to continue, resulting in a first-round TKO stoppage at 1:47.

The win sees Chan make a strong statement in the division, reinforcing his place among Australia’s elite super lightweights. Jaga next faces Adelaide’s Nick Keros for the WMC Muay Thai Australian Super Lightweight title on Pride Fight Series IX in Adelaide, South Australia on May 16th.

The atmosphere inside The Star Casino reflected the scale of the event, with a packed crowd creating an electric environment from the opening bout through to the main event. Each fight added to the momentum of the night, showcasing the depth and quality of Australian Muay Thai across all levels. From rising prospects to established champions, the card highlighted the continued growth of the sport nationally. Events like War On The Shore continue to play a key role in providing a platform for elite competition, while also building the next generation of fighters looking to make their mark on the Australian and international stage.

War On The Shore 25 once again delivered a memorable night of Muay Thai on the Gold Coast, showcasing top-tier Australian talent alongside international competition, War On The Shore 26 set to return in 2027.

War On The Shore 25 – Results

• James Honey def. Joe Craven – KO (Round 2)
• Josh King def. Kobe Sandilands – Decision
• Kyl Juler def. Jimmy Killick – TKO (Round 2)
• Jaga Chan def. Jye Van Pollen – TKO (Round 1)
• Orono Revolution def. Naey Rumble – TKO
• Alex Taylor def. Claye Harnett – Decision
• Siggi Hogg def. Declan Corcoran – Decision
• Jayden Gower def. Jacob Mills – Decision
• Shaun O’Hara def. Matt Shorter – Decision
• Kaelen Morris def. Riley Gordon – Decision