Valhalla MMA owner Waylon Prater reflects on journey as he prepares for his first fight night in Geraldton

As Geraldton’s Valhalla MMA owner Waylon Prater prepares to host his first fight night, he is looking back on the road that got him to where he is now, which has included prison, twin tragedies, a heart attack and a will to keep fighting. Prater’s first taste of combat sport came from boxing. Needing a release at the time, he took a liking to the sport but felt like he needed more. “Boxing gave me a bit, but it just wasn’t enough,” he said. Letting his curiosity get the better of him, Prater went in search for that missing piece. He came across a mixed martial arts gym and jumped at it — an opportunity to find what he was missing. He describes it as a humbling experience, finding out what MMA is all really about. Developing a great love and respect for it, Prater continued to learn his craft and ventured into one day hoping to compete. His plans took a turn when he was incarcerated. Disappointed at his situation, Prater went into action doing what he could to better himself while inside. Prater took himself to MMA classes where he was able to continue his training. He formed a bond with the other inmates involved in the classes, saying that it felt like a community. “It was almost like a club within the prison, we all fed off each other, helped each other, and made life bearable,” he said. Just as life was beginning to feel bearable, Prater lost his mother while inside. Not being able to be with his family during such an emotional time in his life affected Prater deeply, forcing him to reach a crossroads in his life. This tragic turn of events would prove to be the defining reason behind Prater’s motivation to make change and make a difference. Upon his release from prison Prater surrounded himself with family and rediscovered his goal to compete. And compete he did, with his trainer and friend, Paul Barrett, by his side, Prater became the first person in Geraldton to compete in MMA. While competing, Prater approached Barrett and proposed an idea to start an MMA gym. Together along with fellow trainer, Oliver Murray, the three planned to get this idea off the ground. .However tragedy would strike Prater again. In November 2022, Prater lost his good mate, role model and trainer, Barrett, which left a big hole in his life. “He was always in my corner, even when I wasn’t fighting,” Prater said. “After Paul passed, it was just me and Ollie left.” Picking up the pieces of what Barrett had left behind, Prater went to Murray, continuing the MMA gym dream. Murray brought along Michael Jones, a black belt in jiu jitsu and together the trio started Valhalla MMA. After suffering a heart attack, Prater retired from competition, instead focusing his time on coaching in the gym, opening himself up to many more opportunities. Prater works with high risk level kids in the community, teaching them the discipline and skill of the sport that is MMA. “It is easily one of the most rewarding parts of all of this,” he said. “Coming from similar circumstances growing up I just want to use what I have learned to help them.” Being able to coach the kids in his various classes is the driving force behind Prater’s first fight night, with the aim to grow the sport in the Mid West. He admits it has been hard to get the show up and keep running, but with the help of his team and the community he hoped it will be a success. “I still have to pinch myself that this is all happening,” he said. Be sure to head down to La Fiamma Soccer Club on November 2, for Valhalla MMA’s first show, Ragnarok. Tickets available at Valhalla MMA Geraldton and Jungle News and Lotto.