Girl power was a big hit in the ninth Muay Thai Mayhem at Mount Maunganui last night featuring the most female fights since organiser Brent Maharey started being involved.

About 400 people sat ringside to watch the 12 fights scheduled in the ring for Muay Thai Mayhem 9, organised by Red Dragon, at Mount Maunganui Sports Centre on Saturday.

Faith Van Duin v Natalia Teller. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

Papamoa mother-of-two Faith Van Duin stepped into the ring with her opponent Natalia Teller as the current World Kickboxing Federation Junior Welterweight Mixed Martial Arts Champion and newly crowned Storm Damage Featherweight Champion.

After last night's bout Faith now has a full Thai rules fight win under her belt. Full Thai rules means the girls were allowed to use elbows to attack their opponent – the other amateur fights did not allow this.

MMA is a full contact, combat sport allowing the use of both striking and grappling techniques both standing and on the ground from a variety of other combat sports.

The fight of the night went to Gaela Nixon, from Auckland Fighting Fit Academy, who claimed the WKBF Flyweight NZ Title after her bout against Elite Thai Boxing's Bonnie Porter.

Organiser Brent Maharey is pleased with the event turnout.

'The feedback I got from the night was a good line up and good mix of heavy weight and light weight fights.

'The feel was positive and it was a good night had by all.”

He says the event saw the most women step into the ring since the event started with five female fights scheduled on the night.

'It shows more females are coming through and stepping up.”

To expose more fighting methods, Brent included a non-result international Taekwondo exhibition round at half time for entertainment.

Muay Thai Mayhem 9 results:

Fight 1 winner: Stefan Hansen, Red Dragon

Fight 2 winner: Forrest Bedford, Warrior Muay Thai

Fight 3 winner: Drew King, Red Dragon

Fight 4 winner: Daria Smith, Fighting Fit Academy

Fight 5 winner: Riley Smith, Mount Muay Thai

Fight 6 winner: Jo Van Duin, Warrior Muay Thai

Fight 7 winner: Zeph Hawkins, Red Dragon

Faith Van Duin warming up.

Faith Van Duin v Natalia Teller.

Faith Van Duin v Natalia Teller.

Ursula Marshall-Steele v Tairi Ford.

Troy Lyttle v Forest Bedall.

Stephan Hanson v Adam Saidain.

Jo Van Duin v Kelvin Kelleher.

Jo Van Duin v Kelvin Kelleher.

Max Emmett v Zeph Hawkins.

Bonnie "The Brawler" Porter v Gaela "The Slayer" Nixon.

Gaela "The Slayer" Nixon v Bonnie "The Brawler" Porter.

Gaela "The Slayer" Nixon v Bonnie "The Brawler" Porter.

Gaela "The Slayer" Nixon v Bonnie "The Brawler" Porter.