Aberdeen Combat Show 4 brought another huge night of combat sports to the city, with the iconic Beach Ballroom hosting a packed programme of mixed martial arts and Muay Thai boxing.
From the first walkout to the final bell, the event delivered everything that makes live combat sport so exciting: energy from the crowd, intense preparation backstage, emotional celebrations and athletes giving everything inside the cage and ring.
A New Venue for ACS4
The Beach Ballroom provided a fantastic new setting for Aberdeen Combat Show 4. Known for hosting some of the city’s biggest events, the venue was transformed for a full night of MMA and Muay Thai, with fighters, coaches and supporters all coming together for an unforgettable show.
The atmosphere built throughout the event as fighters made their walkouts, coaches prepared their athletes and the crowd responded to every exchange, takedown, kick, elbow, clinch and finish.
Fighters of Every Level
One of the best parts of Aberdeen Combat Show is the variety of competitors who take part. ACS4 featured fighters at different stages of their martial-arts journey, from talented juniors gaining valuable competitive experience to more experienced adult and professional fighters stepping into the cage and ring.
Every bout brought its own story. MMA fighters demonstrated striking, grappling, takedowns and ground control, while the Muay Thai bouts delivered fast combinations, powerful kicks, knees, elbows and strong clinch work.
Across the night, every competitor showed the discipline, dedication and courage required to compete in combat sports.
The junior bouts were particularly impressive, with young fighters showing confidence, technique and respect for one another. It was great to see the next generation of MMA and Muay Thai talent putting their training into practice in front of a supportive crowd.
Capturing 18 Fights
I was there with Urban Muse Photography to capture the action throughout the evening, covering 18 fights from the first bell to the final result.Fight photography moves quickly. A decisive strike, takedown, kick, knee, elbow or celebration can happen in an instant, so it is important to stay focused and ready for every moment. The challenge is not only photographing the action inside the cage and ring, but also capturing the wider story around it.
Throughout the event,
I focused on:Fighter walkouts and entrances.
MMA exchanges, grappling and takedown moments.
Muay Thai striking, kicks, knees and clinch action.
Coaches supporting their fighters.
Emotional reactions after the final bell.
Celebrations with teammates, friends and family.
The MC, ring team and everyone who helped keep the show moving.
The energy and support from the Beach Ballroom crowd.
With thousands of frames captured across the night, the editing process is now underway to make sure every fight receives a strong selection of images.
More Than a Fight Card
Combat sports events are about more than results. They bring together athletes, coaches, gyms, families, organisers and supporters who all contribute to the experience.Aberdeen Combat Show 4 was a great example of that community spirit. The respect shown between fighters, the encouragement from coaches and the support from the crowd all helped create a memorable event.
A huge thank you to the Aberdeen Combat Show team for having me back to capture the event, the Beach Ballroom for hosting, and every fighter who stepped into the cage or ring. Congratulations to everyone who competed and put on a display of commitment, skill and heart.
Digital fight galleries will be released once editing is complete. Keep an eye on Urban Muse Photography for updates and details on how to purchase your gallery
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