BAHRAIN BRINGS UNITY OF MMA IN BRAVE COMBAT WEEK 2018

11-18 November 2018, the Kingdom of Bahrain was again for the 2nd time host to the biggest amateur MMA championship. What makes this year's World Championship special is because the two world governing body of MMA, IMMAF (International MMA Federation) & WMMAA (World MMA Association) joined hand to hold the very first unified World MMA Championship.

It was held along with Brave International Combat Week at Khalifa Sports City Arena.

For the amateur World Championship, this is the fifth edition. IMMAF has been organising the first 3 edition in USA. This year's unified tournament featured 362 competitors from more than 50 nations across 16 weight divisions. The Junior tournament (for 18 to 20-year olds) ran concurrently with the Senior Championships (for 18s+) and both events took place under Unified Amateur MMA Rules.

Under the amateur rules-set, bouts are contested in 3×3 rounds. All types of elbow strikes and knees to the head are illegal (knees to the body allowed). As for grappling techniques; heel hooks, twisters, neck cranks or any submission deemed as applying pressure to the neck or spine are forbidden.

Green Hill Sports provided the MMA athletes with opposing blue & red uniform, shin guard and 6 oz gloves. The defending champion colours are in gold. These sets of uniforms/gears were design to give amateur athletes good protection and also to portray and sporting image for MMA, moving it away from the underground violent image it's always associated with.

photos by Jorden Curran

The World Championships was hosted by the Bahrain MMA Federation and endorsed by the Bahrain Olympic Committee and H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al Khalifa.

This year among the countries making an impact was Ireland. The Irish took home 3 gold medal with stand out Lee Hammond of SBG (Straight Blast Gym - the home team of Conor McGregor) leading the way when he won the senior Lightweight title.

Russia made a sensational impact as fifteen of their athletes progress to the finals, the results; they amassed 10 gold medals, 5 each from the senior & junior category.

This is the first time Russian made it to the podium in the world championship as the previous years they were not presence as Russian MMA's sports bodies were generally align to WMMAA. With the merger of the world governing bodies to hold one single World Championship, opened the door for more Russian athletes to compete.

Click here to see the full results 

This year's World Championship is a great big leap towards making MMA a recognised Olympic sports. The two world bodies completed their amalgamation in July and decides to work together to aim for 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Bahrain will be hosting the World Championship again in 2019 making it three years in a row.

The driving force for this world championship and Bahraini MMA is His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. 

“We are proud that Bahrain will be hosting the fifth and sixth editions of the world mixed martial arts championship for amateurs. We are devoting efforts to making Bahrain a major destination in the region for the hosting of different international events and championships. Our hosting (of the IMMAF Championships) for the three consecutive years serves as international recognition of the abilities Bahrain has to make any event held on its soil successful. The hosting (of the IMMAF World Championships) puts Bahrain among the most advanced countries in the world in the development of the sport of MMA…. We appreciate the trust of IMMAF in choosing Bahrain to host the event this year and next.”

His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa is the Honorary President of Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation and founder of KHK MMA Organization. He launched Brave Combat Federation in Sept 2016 and from then on Brave CF has seen a meteoric raised and has been organised around the world in various countries.

For this year, we not only see the amateur MMA world unifying, but also in the pro MMA world; in which saw Brave Combat Federation 18 join forces with WFCA 54 to hold an event on 16 Nov along the Brave Combat Week.

This event had Brave CF with 7 pro bouts.

Palestinian Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady defeated Brazilian Lucas Martins to become the new Brave CF's lightweight champion when the fight ended early in round 1 as Lucas injured his knees. 

Another Brazilian fell when Russian Velimurad Alkhasov took the flyweight title to extend his undefeated record to 6-0-0.

It was not a night for Brazil as in bantamweight title fight, Filipino Stephen Loman defended it against Felipe Efrain in a 5 round barn burner fight.

UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nuramogedov was on ground to award Stephen with his Brave CF belt

WFCA 54 held another 5 pro bouts with the Russia base promotions fielding 5 Russian fighters with 4 of them coming out victorious.

I end this story with a video of UFC female Bantamweight champion Chris Cyborg showing her support by appearing in Brave CF's cage doing shadow boxing wearing hijab.

Stay update with more combat sports stories by following Warriors of Borneo Facebook page

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INTERVIEW WITH THEEBAAN G for PASKAL THE MOVIE

When we talk about Special Forces movie, generally the name Green Beret, Navy SEALs, British SAS will pop to our mind first. Those are the Special Forces in US & UK. In Malaysia, the name GGK (Grup Gerak Khas), VAT69 would mostly be recognisable. Little are known about another elite group in the Malaysian military, which is our Navy Special Force call PASKAL (Pasukan Khas Laut). This will soon change when PASKAL The Movie go on nation-wide premier this 27 Sept 2018.

PASKAL is a movie base on Malaysian Royal Navy Special Forces. This highly acclaimed local action movie directed by Adrian Teh are starred by Hairul Azreen, Ammar Alfian, Hafizul Kamal, Taufiq Hanafi, Gambit Saifullah, Theebaan Govindasamy, Henley Hii, Jasmine Suraya Chin.

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Being a media site that focus on the field of combat sports Warriors of Borneo interviewed Theebaan Govindsamy on his role in this breakthrough movie.

For the uninitiated Theeban is a two times SEA Games silver medalist and 7 times National Champion in Karate. Born in KL, raised in Ipoh, Theebaan was 'force' to take up Karate by his parents when he was 5.

"They would wake us up early in the morning to go for karate class when all I wanted to do was watch cartoons! 

After I got older, I realised the importance of martial arts and started to appreciate my parents efforts. I transitioned into MMA because I was intrigued by the sport and was ready to dip my feet into something new."

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A graduate from University Putra with a degree in Petroleum Chemistry. He now trains full time in Klinch MMA. Holding a current 12-5-0 in MMA, he became Malaysian Invasion MMA (MIMMA) Season 4 Welterweight Champion in 2016 defeating Gino Tan with guillotine choke.

In 2017 while actively fighting in MIMMA 5 league, he was selected as the sole Malaysian representative to IMMAF (International MMA Federation) World Championship in Bahrain. He qualified for the Grand Finals of MIMMA 5 in March 2018 & fought his team mate Ahmed Zahreh. It was a close battle and after 5 rounds of back & fourth Ahmed won by unanimous decision. 

Theebaan bounced back a few weeks later and emerged as Astro's VALLAVAR Season 4 Champion (an obstacle challenge game show that pitted athletes from various field against each other). 

Representing Malaysia in Bahrain. Accompanied by his girlfriend Darshanaa in IMMAF World Championship 2017

Anti-clockwise from top: Becoming MIMMA 4 Welterweight Champion, fighting team mate Ahmed in MIMMA 5, winning Vallavar S4 

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Following that Theebaan was nominated in the Asia MMA Awards 2018 for the Amateur Fighter of the Year and he made Malaysia proud by emerging the winner. 

Winner: Asia MMA Awards 2018 - Amateur Fighter of the Year

He told me about his experience in Hong Kong for the award night on 15 Sept.

"It was surreal! I first got the news of the nomination when I was in Sarawak for a holiday and I still remember I felt all sorts of gratitude towards everyone that has helped me come this far. 

The Fight Nation flew me in and put me up in a hotel in Hong Kong as well. They were a very accommodating host.

The experience there was truly a once in a lifetime thing for any fighter coming from this part of the world. I met so many big names and even UFC representatives at the awards. It was truly priceless."

Theebaan & Darshanaa accompany by TUNE TALKS reps , Shawn & Mary

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So when did he got involved with movie making?

Apparently PASKAL is not his first foray into acting...
4 years back, Theebaan starred in a local made Tamil action movie titled VICTORY. He did a lot of action fights in the movie as it's a story about the struggle & sacrifice of a Karate Champion.

"The casting team for PASKAL saw that and contacted me. They asked me to come in for auditions and I did. That's how it all began."

After the gap of 4 years from your first movie, do you have to take acting lessons?
Tell us about your character Shailesh in PASKAL?
"I did not take acting lessons but the rest of the cast were more than supportive of the fact that I'm a new actor and gave me as much guidance as they could.
Shailesh or his military call sign - Misi in the movie is part of the Alpha Team, lead by their commander Lt Arman Rahmat a.k.a Jerung. Misi is the medic in the team of 7."

How much does your martial arts background help in preparing for the role ?
How much fighting scene you have to do in the movie? Who choreograph the fight scene?
I believe you are the one with most experience in martial arts among all the main characters...did you teach them a move or two?
"My martial arts background definitely helped in the sense that I would never give up on a particular scene and also constantly try to get the best take by taking in as much input as I can. But for fight scenes there were professionals to help choreograph. 

They could, however, give me anything and I could pretty much do it.
The lead actor, Hairul, is very experienced in stunts himself so the two of us would show the team some tricks."

Executing the armbar - Applying his knowledge from MMA in the movie 

How much of PASKAL do you know before you took up the role in this movie? Did you ever attend any military training?
"I had no idea what PASKAL was before this. I had absolutely no military training although my mother used to serve in the Malaysian Air Force during her younger days."

All of you undergo training in Lumut Naval base, of all the training, which part is the most tough? Tel us about the firearms training?

How many stunts you have to do by yourself? Which is the most memorable?

"Training in Lumut was intense. Even if we only did some 10-20% of what the real PASKAL would do. 

The hardest of them all has to be the drown proofing exercise. Our hands and legs would be tied and we would be thrown into the water. We were required to get to the other side all whist remaining as calm as possible. 

Of course we were taught the best way to swim in such a situation before that and also has extensive safety measures in place during every exercise. Our safety was always the number 1 priority. If we weren't confident with ourselves, we didn't have to do it. Of course, all of us did. LOL."

"The firearm training was the most fun of course. We were taught how to dissemble and assemble a Glock, a M4 and an MP5. All of which we could do with our eyes closed at the end of the day."

How many stunts you have to do by yourself?

"We did about 99% of the stunts by ourselves." 

The movie also is about friendship among the characters...tell us about the actual friendship you build among the stars / crew / production of PASKAL.
"All of my co-stars and I are extremely tight right now. The guys have known each other for a hell of a long time by the time I got into the picture but they were so very warm and welcoming toward me."

From left:Henley Hi, Ammar Alfian, Theebaan G, Hairul Azreen, Taufiq Hanafi, Hafizul Kamal, Gambit Saifullah

"We still hang out and do things other than just attending press releases and interviews together today.

Of course the crew as well. The director has become a good friend as well. Absolutely everything about this experience was a good one."

At the Gala premier of PASKAL with his family & friends

with his firlfriend Darshanaa Chellaiah, his strongest supporter in his martial arts & acting career

PASKAL the movie will premier nationwide tomorrow 27 Sept 2018. It has gain many good review and has spark the interest of  Malaysian of all races to go watch a local action movie.

So move your butt and go to the nearest GSC Cinemas to grab yourself tickets to PASKAL the movie.

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THEEBAN : FLYING THE MALAYSIAN FLAG IN IMMAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

pix on right by Ong Chen Fai

Many martial artist would be familiar with ADCC ( Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championship ), the prestigious grappling championship started by Sheikh Tahnoon son of United Arab Emirates leader.

Come 12 to 19 November, the world's attention will again be at Middle East, this time for Mixed Martial Arts as The Kingdom of Bahrain, a tiny but progressive middle east country that lies in the middle of the Persian Gulf will be hosting the largest event in the history of amateur MMA at the Khalifa Sports City Arena; The 2017 IMMAF World Championships.

This 4th edition of World Championship is set to be the biggest event in the history of amateur Mixed Martial Arts with more participants than all the previous years and representing nations from all continents, and it is also the first time IMMAF is organising this event outside of Las Vegas. The pass four events in Las Vegas is usually organised as part of the annual UFC International Fight Week.

This World Championship is hosted by Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMA) and endorsed by the Bahrain Olympic Committee. More than 250 athletes from 40 countries from around the world are expected to compete in the World Championship.

The success of Bahrain being granted as the host for this year owes to the pivotal role and efforts of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa to strengthen the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position in the sport of MMA globally.

His Highness Sheikh Khalid efforts also helps the formation of BRAVE Combat Federation, the premier MMA promotions in Middle East formed in 2016. On 17 November IMMAF World Championship will break for a day for pro MMA action under the BRAVE banner. Hence the week of amateur MMA and pro MMA is called the International Combat Week Bahrain 2017, which will have other activities such as sports expo and food carnival.

The IMMAF World Championships commences with an Opening Ceremony and Tournament Draw on the evening of 12 November at 7pm. It then comprises 4 days of preliminaries from 13 to 16 November (starting 3pm on 13-14 Nov; starting 2pm on 15-16), pausing for professional MMA event, ‘BRAVE 9: The Kingdom of Champions’ on 17 November, and culminating with IMMAF’s Finals and Medals Ceremony on 18 November (at 3pm).

Brave held it's first 2 event in it's birth country Bahrain. On a course of going international and making BRAVE a global promotions it has been held in Brazil, India, Khazakhstan and Mexico. BRAVE 9 will be the much-anticipated return to the Kingdom of Bahrain after almost a year. It will have 16 pro bouts, headline by the Lightweight title fight between Ottman Azaitar vs Alejandro Martinez.

The 2017 IMMAF World Championships is set to be IMMAF’s biggest yet and spans 14 weight categories, from Strawweight to Lightweight for women, and Flyweight to Super Heavyweight for men. Check out the provisional list of National Teams and Athletes (click here to view)

This year, Malaysia will be participating the World Championship for the 2nd time. The first time we send athlete was in 2014. That was the time when MASMMA (Malaysia MMA Association) was formed. Malaysia is the first country in Asia to formed a MMA association which is affiliated to IMMAF.

Thanks to MIMMA, Malaysia was one of the earliest country in the world to have a well organised nationwide amateur tournament. Started in 2013 and from it's roster of inaugural champions, 5 were selected to represent Malaysia to IMMAF's first World Championship in 2014. The team comprised of Allen Solomon Chong, Adrian Tham, Keanu Subba, Prabu Somainadu and Chong Jing Yi.

Team Malaysia - IMMAF World 2014

IMMAF takes athletes safety seriously, hence they have a strict rules which emphasis strongly that athletes competing in the World Championship are strictly prohibited to have any pro combat sports record. Due to the unregulated MMA event in Malaysia during the formative years and when MASMMA was not formed yet to help regulate the sports, most of the Malaysian athlete was not able to compete.

According to Brent Yap, MASMMA secretary, it was a huge learning experience which they take positively to grow MMA in Malaysia. MASMMA now works very closely with MIMMA to further grow Malaysian MMA at amateur level. With Tune Talk as the main sponsors, MIMMA is now in it's 5th season and has over the years produce many outsanding MMA prospect for Malaysia, some of which has turned pro.

For the pass 4 season, MIMMA was competed with a tournament format. Fighters have to get it all right every time they fight because only victor get to progress to further round. This does not provide athletes with enough chance to fight and gain experience in the cage, hence in an effort to build fighters by giving them more fights, the league system is introduce this year, pitting fighters in their weight class to fight each other to collect points.

This brings a whole new ball game into the fight. Now fighters and his team needs to have strategy and study the weakness and strength of their opponents.

IMMAF also organised regional Championship such as European Championship, Africa Championship and most recently in Singapore for the Asian Championship in June.
Closer to home, enable Malaysia to sent a team which comprise of Jace Law (MIMMA4 Lightweight Champion) and Jihin Radzuan (MIMMA4 Female Champion). Chong Jing Yi (MIMMA1 Middleweight Champion) and Amirah Najwa.

For this year's edition of IMMAF World Championship, Theeban Govindasamy has been selected as the sole Malaysian athlete. Theeban is a former national Karateka. In MMA, he is a genuine product of MIMMA. He first fought MMA in MIMMA season 2. The following season in 2015, he made it to the Semi-Finals.

Last year's season 4, Theeban moved to welterweight and manage to fight all his way to emerged victorious as the Welterweight Champion. In this year's MIMMA League, he has fought 4 times and is leading the pack in his Welterweight category.

Theeban brings to the cage great striking, owe to his years of Karate. For his MMA & grappling, Theeban is training at Klinch MMA with David Hulett, an American pro with more than 30 MMA fight under him.

Theeban in MIMMA5 league ( pix by YK Tang )

For IMMAF World Championship Bahrain, Theeban is moving up to Middleweight. This is to reduce the stress of cutting weight as the Championship is a tournament format over a period of one week.

Joining him at Bahrain is Prem Kumar and Syarul Raziff. Both are officials with MIMMA, Prem playing the role as coordinator and match maker and Syarul in the medic team. They are at Bahrain as IMMAF officials and will be busy applying their expertise at this World Championship.

Prem Kumar and Syarul at Bahrain - IMMAF World Championship

According to Brent, this is surely a good exposure for them and MASMMA are always open to expose more Malaysian officials for an event this large a scale.
"We need to not only develop MMA athlete but also officials, so that we can grow in all aspect of the MMA sports"

Brent Yap MASMMA Secretary ( pix by Ong Chen Fai)

As the fastest growing sports in the world currently, IMMAF is on it's mission to bring MMA into the Olympics. The structure has already set in place for Malaysia to excel and grow in this sports. Many gyms are growing and new ones being formed as more and more people takes up martial arts and delve into MMA.

We are now already not in the stage of educating about MMA, as previously MMA has an image of being a brutal and violence sports. MASMMA and MIMMA has played its role in providing the strictest standard of safety and medical care. RTM1 has broadcast MIMMA's fight regularly and through mainly social media the awareness of MMA has imcrease leaps and bounds.

Let's hope and contribute in whatever way we can to help produce more MMA talent in Malaysia. For this year, let's all lend our support to Theeban Gobindasamy as he fly the Malaysian flag in Bahrain. All the best Malaysia!

Theeban at the IMMAF 2017 World Championship Opening ceremony accompany by his girlfriend Darshanaa

LIVE ONLINE INTERNATIONALLY
Download the Bahrain TV app onto your mobile device to view the full 5 days of the 2017 IMMAF World Championships live.
The Bahrain TV (Ministry of Information and Affairs) app is downloadable from iTunes and Google Play.