MIMMA 5 Grand Finals : EUNICE ONG MAKING SURE THE WOMEN BELT STAYS IN JOHOR

MMA is predominantly a male sports, more so in Malaysia. But Sabahan Ann 'Athena' Osman came & broke that stereotype 5 years ago, being the first Malaysian female Muslim MMA athlete.

Ann became the face of Malaysian female MMA. She was a true ambassador of the sports with her fighting prowess, personality and her media savyness. She inspired many women not just to take up MMA but to be more affirmative & confident.

 In 2015 MIMMA decided to introduce the female category as there were already a good healthy number of female MMA prospects and journalist Joanna Yap of Sarawak became the inaugural champion.

Ann announced her retirement last year. With her departure from active fighting, Jihin Radzuan from Johor filled in the void. Jihin was the 2nd MIMMA female champion in 2016. Undefeated in amateur MMA and multiple champion in Kickboxing & Muaythai. This year Jihin has moved up to become a pro fighter under ONE Championship.

Jihin herself, in turn inspired another female to take up MMA. Also from Johor, her name is Eunice Ong.

---------------------

Eunice qualified for MIMMA season 5 grand finals on Friday when she beat Amirah Najwa of KL with a split decision in the semi-finals. Going into the semis, Eunice was the leader of the pack in MIMMA5 league standings with 24 points.

This petite girl from Batu Pahat has a background in Wushu. She was Johor state champion for NanQuan, NanKun & Nanbao, and a silver medalist in national championship for NanQuan.

Eunice ( middle )

In primary school, TaeKwon-Do gave her some martial arts foundation. In her secondary school time in Chinese High School, she was active in Ping-Pong and Wushu. After high school Eunice attended Beijing Sports University.She studied sport science with focus on Wushu.

While studying in Uni as she study Wushu, inevitably she learn about MMA. Her interest grew in MMA and when she was back for holiday she began looking for an MMA gym. But no such place exist back in her home town. Mr Google came to her rescue and she managed to locate Ultimate MMA Academy (UMA) in Johor Bahru.

UMA is a pioneer MMA gym in Malaysia. Founded by non other than Malaysian pioneer himself a high school teacher name Melvin Yeoh. She and her husband took up lessons and Melvin shared his knowledge with her. Training together with Jihin, Eunice began to dream of success in MMA and wanting to win a championship belt too.

with her coach and mentor in MMA Melvin Yeoh

Back home in Batu Pahat, Eunice and her husband Golden Tan founded QYS Wushu Academy. Teaching Wushu and self defense to mostly children. 

As she progress her learning in MMA from Melvin in her weekend 100 over KM drive down to Johor Bahru, she started to teach MMA in QYS, making QYS a affiliated gym of UMA in Batu Pahat. 

with her husband Golden Tan

"It's not easy. Batu Pahat is a chinese populated town. Most chinese parents do not mind their children learning Wushu as it's steeped with tradition and the art form is easily appreciated. 

But not MMA... as Chinese parents does not like their children to get hit on the face. Furthermore, MMA in Batu Pahat is still new. Most people's perception of it is that its a brutal sports taken up by rough-lings, and most are very uncomfortable in the grappling style of BJJ"

"So some started taking MMA classes only out of curiosity, but the drop off rate is high."

Building the young generation of Batu Pahat

---------------------------------

In the grand finals she will face Gloria Isabelle Hoong of Sabah. She knew that Gloria has good grappling and being the lightest among the female in her weigh division, she had to work harder on the ground. Which is why Eunice is happy that she gets lots of valuable pointers from Jihin. Eunice and her husband has made more regular trip to UMA to further enhance her game plan form mentor Melvin.

with Jihin Radzuan

training with other UMA team mates

Melvin putting her through the drilss

Aside from running QYS Wushu Academy Eunice and her husband Golden Tan's also is the founder of Motion Art , a sportswear clothing brand with design on sports lifestyle and martial arts. Martial arts is their main source of income.

Eunice and Golden in their Motion Art t-shirt

"I join MIMMA 5 not only to win the belt, but at the same time to promote MMA in Batu Pahat. I hope my achievement can bring more awareness and in turn will encourage parents to send their kids to learn martial arts."

All the preparation is now all done. It's fight night, time for action. Eunice is determine to get that Women belt and she wants to make sure the belt remains in the royal land of Johor.

vs Gladys Molling in league 5

overcoming Amirah in the semis

MIMMA 5 GRAND FINALS - MOK JUDO'S GONNA THROW A BODY SLAMMING PARTY!

The shadow of Muhd Meeraj looms large over the middleweight category in MIMMA for many years. Meeraj has dominated this category since winning it with his superior boxing and dominance, as season 3 & 4 champion.

Meeraj has now a fledging career in pro Boxing but he still participated in MIMMA 5. Only fought once in league 6 and a lightning fast victory in the semis against Nik Zainul in 18 seconds.

Muhd Meeraj (R) in action

Schedule to fight in the grand finals vs Mohd Fakhrul Izzat of Johor, but it was not meant to be as Meeraj pulled out to focus on his preparation for a trilogy (pro boxing) against Chase Haley in his quest to redeem his loss to Haley May last year.

Meeraj is a heavy favourite going into the grand finals. Now that his looming shadow is cleared. The middle weight grand finals will be focusing on the match between Fakhrul Izzat and Derek Lim.

Mok Judo accumulated 30 points in the MIMMA 5 middleweight's division. Holding a record of 4 wins. With that he qualified as league leaders into the semis vs Derek Lim. He won by unaimous decision.

By Meeraj's pulling out, this has given Derek another chance to redeem his lost to Fakhrul. But Mok will not let it be an easy night for Derek.

-----------------

Born in Kuala Lumpur, but grew up in Johor. Fakhrul comes from a big family of 7 siblings. He is the eldest. He graduated from UTM Skudai and has adopted Johor as his home state. Among the martial arts circle Fakhrul is fondly call Mok Judo, due to his beginnings in Judo.

It was when he was 12 that a movie about Judo really left a lasting impression on him and he dreamt of being a Judo athlete. In 2002 when he was 13, he was offered a place in Sekolah Sukan Tunku Ismail (formerly known as Bandar Penawar Sports School) as he was selected for the sports of Judo under a talent identification program.

His first Judo coach is Dash Battulga from Mongolia. Mok achieved a lot in Judo.
"I won 10 national Judo championship. I represented Malaysia for SEA Games 3 times; Korat, Thailand (2007), Vientiane, Laos (2009), Jakarta, Indonesia (2011).

In Thailand I won a 
bronze medal. In 2010 I again represented Malaysia, this time to the Judo World Cup in Mongolia.

Till today, I am still involve in Judo. I train the young Judokas in Projek SUKMA 2018 & 2020 (Johor)."

Sharing his knowledge with the new generations

What's in Judo that really makes you fell in love with it?
" Judo is a very niche sports in Malaysia. It requires a lot of strength, which enable me to sweat a lot. I love the great work out it gives. And the fact that you get to slam people on the mat is really satisfying. A properly executed throw is a sight to behold, and the expression on my opponent's face when I slam them truly gives me a high!"

I'm also a rugby player. Judo and the grappling arts helps me in my rugby as there's a lot of take down. I played for the Johor state team and also in the Super League in Iskandar Raiders Club." 

Mok (2nd from left) front row

The smile Mok get's went he is able to slam someone

------------------------------

In 2011, he and another fellow Judoka Mohd Ezzat decided to test their Judo skills in the cage. They took part in the very first MMA championship in Malaysia, Malaysia Fighting Championship. Fakhrul won in the first round but lost in the 2nd.

His appetite for MMA began to grow and participated in MIMMA season 2. He won all his fights until the contender fight stage where he lost to current Malaysian MMA sensation Agilan Thani.

After season 2, When he got married, Fakhrul took a break from MMA between 2015 & 2016, also focusing on his job as a teacher in SMK Medini, Nusajaya Johor. In 2017 he decides to come back for the MIMMA title, after preparing himself with improve striking skills.

Never ending support from his wife Nur Amira pushes him to excel 

As among the pioneer for MMA in Malaysia, Fakhrul said that in the early days, most fighters are just one trick pony and most of them are just brawler. But it's different nowadays where fighters have much better techniques and are more all rounder.

in league 5 vs Muhd Alief 

"MIMMA has done a lot to educate Malaysian on MMA. For MIMMA 5 league format, it does gives more opportunity to increase cage time experience, but fighting almost every month does takes its toll on the body, especially when you give your all in the cage and need more time to recover."

Mok Judo is very much aware that at his weight class, he does not have the advantage of height, hence the more he focus on his Judo and grappling skills to secure a win. Training with his friends in Johor Bahru, they help each other to exchange knowledge on Muaythai, Boxing and BJJ.

Meeting Derek in the grand finals on Friday night will be a trilogy for them both. Derek lost twice to Mok, in league 1 & in the semis, both by unaimous decision. Mok will definately utilise his superior grappling to get another victory.

It's gonna be a body slamming party on grand finals night, get ready to see some Mok Judo hi-light!

BOXXTOMOI ISKARNIVAL K1 INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXING

Boxxtomoi founder and Iskarnival K1 Kickboxing organiser Musaddik Zainuddin 

In Jan 2016, the administrative center of Johor goverment Nusajaya, was renamed Iskandar Puteri.

Then on Nov 22 this year, Iskandar Puteri achieved city status. Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar officiated at the ceremony at Medini Iskandar.

Iskandar Puteri is the old name of the state administration centre that was relocated from Teluk Belanga in Singapore before the name was changed to Johor Baru in 1866.

To celebrate this newly-acquired city status, a huge carnival is being organised packed with countless activities. Last weekend on 25-26 Nov, the first part of the carnival ISKARNIVAL KOOL hosts movers and shakers from various industries such as music, visual arts, food and beverage, technology, heritage, human resources and environmental preservation.

Visitors were entertained by talented Los Angeles-based internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter Yuna and veteran local artiste Sheila Majid. The musical acts was accompanied by outdoor activities such as fly-boarding, giant board games and the Mini Spartan Race. 

This coming weekend 2-3 Dec, ISKARNIVAL AKTIF  will host plenty of  other sports events that are being organised at EduCity sports complex, such as the Sundown Marathon, The Major League Championed by Celcom, EduCity Swim Meet and the upcoming EduCity Duathlon.

Iskarnival Aktif will feature the inaugural Iskandar Puteri Sevens rugby tournament. The Academy of Esports (AOES) which brings partners to educate Esports enthusiasts and open career opportunities in the Esports industry. Concert Aktif will feature local artistes Zainal Abidin, Joe Flizzow and Alleycats.

So what's in store for fight fans??

Fight fans, no worries, you are not left out. Kick-boxing fans will get to enjoy an action packed ISKARNIVAL K1 INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXING,
a two-day pro level competition showcasing fighters from Brazil, America, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

Amateur mixed martials arts (MMA), under the banner of ULTIMATE BEATDOWN will also be held in the indoor stadium.

check out the Martial Arts timing at Zone C

Warriors of Borneo had a chat with Musaddik Zainuddin, the man behind the BOXXTOMOI brand and Iskarnival K1 International Kickboxing.

We talked about how it all started for him in this world of combat sports.

It was 10 years ago when taking a break from his marketing research job, he took a video & photo shooting assignment in a local Muaythai event in the state of Kedah. Kedah with its close proximity to Thailand have a long history of cultural exchanges, which include Muaythai. In Malaysia it's call Tomoi.

Back then, people address him as Abang Mus. According to him, local events in Kedah were already quite well organised with good lighting and great sound system set up. He was searching for information on the local fighters in the internet but to his disappointment, none was available. Media coverage on these fighters was almost non existence.

He got some very nice shots and made many new friends in the Muaythai scene. Even though he does not have any martial arts background, his interest in Muaythai grew from one event to the next. He was hungry for information on local Muaythai personality, and was waiting for someone in the media industry to start covering it.

"I waited for someone who has vast knowledge and connection about martial art leading the way, but still nobody want to start it. So in July 2007 I decided to start blogging via  boxxtomoi.blogspot
even though I have no background in computer and design. 

Frankly speaking, I have little, really very little knowledge about martial art and about computer. I was hoping somebody younger and knowledgeable would than start blogging on the same topic, so I could read rather than writing it."

During the early days very few photographer cover Muaythai event. Armed with his knowledge of photography and video editing, and the information he gather on the fighters, Musaddik was able to create good content for his blog.

Boxxtomoi.blogspot became a success and more and more people follow it as it was the only good source of Muaythai news and infor in Malaysia. He name his blog Boxxtomoi, from the acronym BOXX ( Beyond Our Xtraordinary Xpectation ).

In the early days according to Musaddik, Muaythai exponents do not favour pictures of them hurt with bruises and cuts. But far from it nowdays, fighters show off their injuries, be it blood, cuts or scars proudly as a sign of courage and strong fighting spirit.

His networking also grew.

"I can speak a bit better English than the rest in the Muaythai community, so during events part of my job was to take care of the ‘farang’ (foreigner). That is how I got my international fighters and gym connection.

I also make many friends from my blog. When there’s a big event in Kedah, I would bring volunteers all over Malaysia to help out, to let them experience and to learn first-hand how big events are executed. Most of these volunteers are still active in the sports today and one of them is Alvin Chong (AC), now a successful gym owner ( Borneo Combat Gym Labuan) and martial arts event promoter.

Pak Mus with Alvin Chong

In 2008 Boxxtomoi move to a proper web site www.boxxtomoi.com  and began to go into print publications.

2008 – 2010 it produced 5 issue of Boxxtomoi Magazine. It further expanded,...

2012-2013 we have our own Muaythai stadium in Kubang Semang a small town near Bukit Mertajam Penang. 

Both the above project we started with the same reason as our blog, we waited but nobody wants to take the initiative to start it,... so we just do it ourselves!

fighters with BOXXTOMOI magazine

Building the 1st Muaythai Stadium in Malaysia

Musaddik was still focusing on Muaythai events in Kedah during those times. He was born in the town of Kulim in Kedah and his home sentiments was still strong. But to grow, he knew he need to move out of Kedah. 

This is where his close rapport with the Borneo Muaythai community started. In 2014, he build connection with Muaythai Association in Sabah & Sarawak, colloborating, supporting and guiding them in growing the sports in Borneo.

It was a right move as Borneo Muaythai exponents from Sabah & Sarawak, from only few years of development are now among the top in Malaysia.  

In 2014 through close working relationship with Dihnar group, Boxxtomoi colloborated with D1FC for the Lion Fight title belt fight in France. Producing the first Boxxtomoi European Lady Champion (56.7kg), Lena Ovchynnikova (Ukraine).

Lena Ovchynnikova (right)

Following year in 2015, producing the first Boxxtomoi European Champion, Jakub Pretorian Gazdík (Slovakia) event in Italy.

Since 2007 Boxxtomoi was involved in more than 40 events, both their own promotions or events where they act as consultant.

2014 ended well for Boxxtomoi as they received an award of gold medal from IFMA for contribution towards Muaythai development in Malaysia.

Some of the major events that BOXXTOMOI has promoted:

Now fondly being address as Pak Mus, at 58 years of age, he is still very passionate about Muaythai and combat sports. 

"Events always makes me energetic. I love taking new challenges. The biggest challenge in this industry is securing sponsorship.
I love to execute new ideas be it mine or from others. To maintain steps ahead and to stay relevant, I made it a point to have young and energetic people in my team."

Pak Mus explained that not being a practitioner of Muaythai does gives him an edge. He is no doubt a fan of the sports, this gives him different perspective and added advantage as a promoter, because as a fan he understand what the fans wants. Fans come to watch fights most of the time expecting action, hence he emphasis the aspect of entertainment strongly in his events.

He also fully understand that to ensure a following of the sports, a good fan base must be built. This is achieved by building a connection between fans and the fighters. Hence promoting individual fighter becomes crucial.

A fighter with potential needs to be developed not just in their combative skills but also their personality and image so that the interest for fans to watch him fight is there. Furthermore with the boom in social media nowadays, fans can follow their favourite fighters closely almost instantly.

In his events, he provide a platform for them to show off their skills, but out of the ring, Pak Mus also advice and guide them in building their own brand name as a fighter. 

Pak Mus is particularly proud with the Muaythai exponents from Borneo. He said few years back no one pays much attention to fighters from Borneo. But through Boxxtomoi involvement in Borneo Muaythai and the development from the state association, over just a few years, Borneo Muaythai fighters are now among the best in the country.

Pak Mus with Shah (middle) and Maman Ajmain (left) - founder of 66 Unicorn Sandakan

Among the services and products available from Boxxtomoi are consultation of events, t-shirt designs, fight gears and also events poster design.

Now Boxxtomoi has move to a newer website : www.boxxtomoi.asia

---------------------------------------

Pak Mus believe K1 Kickboxing event  has very good potential in Malaysia. It gives opportunity for all practioner of stand up martial arts to battle it out in the ring with a common easy to follow rules set.

On Iskarnival K-1 International Kickboxing.
This is our first K-1 rules event. When we approached our sponsor a year ago, it was supposed to be called MotoKombat, a combine event consists of Moto (Motorcycle) and Combat sport activities and competition. 

The purpose for this carnival type event is to:

• Maximize usage of the venue and facilities. 
• Sharing crowds of different demographic background and interest. 
• Giving fans a full day of non-stop activities. 

"My initial plan was to have Silat as part of the MotoKombat event, but they have another event a week earlier, so we decided to replace it with Ultimate Beatdown MMA, from reknown local Johorian promoter Melvin Yeoh an old friend, we struggled together in the early years, he with his MMA gym and me as a Muaythai promoter."

Pak Mus having a discussion with Melvin Yeoh

Iskarnival K1 Kickboxing will feature a total of 16 pro bouts (8 per day). Pak Mus has taken much efforts and time to get the best fighters in Malaysia to be featured in the cards with some of the best international fighters from the region.

Four Boxxtomoi belt will be in contention:

In Day 1, Bout 4, Faiza Riezan (Papy Chulo) a boxer from Tawau will rely on his fist to get the job done against Charlie Pennington of England. Papy was a boxing gold medalist in 2013 SUKMA and dominate Sabah Games boxing from 2011 to 2013.

Charlie has height to his advantage and also good kicks. Works in Singapore and trained at one of Singapore top martial arts gym Fight G. He is Ultimate Beatdown 22 Kickboxing Welterweight Champion.

This fight is for the ISKARNIVAL K1 INTERNATIONAL -80kg title belt.

 ISKARNIVAL K1 INTERNATIONAL  -80kg

CHARLIE ‘THE PRAYING MANTIS’ PENNINGTON FIGHT G (UK)

Vs. PAPY CHULO (TAWAU SABAH) TIM’S MUAYTHAI

The hi-light of Day 1 will end with a action pack female fight between Jihin Radzuan of Ultimate MMA Johor vs her opponent from across the causeway Nabilah Razak of Singapore. Jihin is Malaysian MMA queen, MIMMA 4 Female champion and undefeated and recently turn pro.

Also undefeated in Muaythai, she recently defeated Singaporean Muaythai veteran, Marilyn in a very tough fight in October's Johor Muaythai Open, winning the Johor Sports & Youth Exco title belt.

Then in November she fought in Ultimate Beatdown 25 for the Super 8 Kickboxing and again went undefeated to claim the belt.

ISKARNIVAL WOMAN K1 INTERNATIONAL  -50kg

JIHIN ‘THE SHADOWCAT’ RADZUAN (JOHOR) ULTIMATE MMA ACADEMY

Vs. NABILAH RAZAK (SINGAPORE) YOD KAI MUAY

This is a fight that I believe will produce most action. Bow Suweilek, a former World Muaythai Champion with more than 100 bouts under his belt has been a regular in the Muaythai scene in Malaysia. He has travel around Malaysia to coach Muaythai and before coming back to KL, was in Sabah & Labuan.

His opponent Diego from Brazil is a relentless fighter that recently KO his Thai opponent in round 1 of MAX Muaythai.

BOXXTOMOI –ISKA INTERNATIONAL 67KG

DIEGO BENEDUZZI (BRAZIL) TIGER MUAYTHAI PHUKET

Vs. BOW SUWEILEK (THAILAND) UNDERGROUND KL

The main card is between Japanese Karate Black Belt Hiroshi Okumura, who runs a martial arts gym in Johor Bahru vs Singaporean Mustafa Kamal. This will be a very fast pace fight at 64 kg for the BOXXTOMOI -ISKA International Belt.

BOXXTOMOI –ISKA INTERNATIONAL 64KG

MUSTAFA KAMAL (SINGAPORE) PRIME FIGHTS GYM

Vs. HIROSHI OKUMURA (JAPAN) JACK GYM

Warriors of Borneo are particularly proud that 5 fighters from Sabah, Borneo will be featured in the card. Day 1 will see, 4 fighters and Day 2 , 1 fighter.

Day 1 will see 4 fighters from East Coast of Sabah , namely from Tim's Muaythai - Tawau & 66 Unicorn - Sandakan.

Ayie from Tawau will open the event in day 1 bout 1 against Hidayat from Penang. Ayie from Tim's Muaythai have good boxing foundation will fight Hidayat whom is a SUKMA Muaythai athlete.

Vivian Teo is a young but experienced fighter from Sandakan. She has represented Malaysia in the Muaythai University World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand in 2015 and brought back a silver medal. She faced some tough opponent before in Jihin Radzuan in her Wilayah Fight appearance in Feb this year. In April she took gold in Muay Fight Night in Kota Kinabalu and went to Melbourne for Dynamite Naksoo Female Fight Tour in June.

For this fight Vivian is preparing herself by training at Team X Fight Academy.

In bout 5, Shah 'The Black Machine' from Sandakan will face Singaporean Aiff Ajis. Shah is a very discipline and experience Muaythai athlete and has won numerous title. Shah most recent win was in Kota Kinabalu early this year, winning himself the D1FC Title belt against a tough Filipino warrior Robin Catalan. He then focus on his studies and recently graduated from UITM with a Sports Science degree.

He came back active in the ring in Sept in Kota Kinabalu's Borneo Battle Arena, winning the Muaythai Super 8 trophy. In October's he lost in Johor Open Muaythai against a veteran of more than 100 fight. Even though he got badly cut on the forehead, he still put up a strong fight which took the veteran to 5 rounds. Shah is preparing for this fight training at Monatchy MMA gym in Kuala Lumpur.

In Day 2, bout 3, in what is my personal favourite card will see Mohd Rizal of Team Karabaw,  Sabah going against Muaythai posterboy, Mohammed Mahmoud aka Jordan Boy. Rizal is a relentless scrappy fighter that loves a fight. He is active in Muaythai, MMA, Kickboxing, Silat & Karate, he just loves to bang!

Jordan Boy name is well known in the Muaythai scene. Winner of numerous title belt, he has recently turn to Kickboxing, applying his Muaythai skill successfully. Jordan Boy has experience in his hands and has good kicks to keep Rizal at bay. 

Both fighters will go all out and loves to entertain the crowd with fast exchanges and relentless forward momentum. A fight promoter dream match. This will be a barn burner of a fight, get ready to be entertained!

Iskarnival K1 is sanctioned by ISKA. Master Khoo Meng Yang of ISKA checking the venue ensuring all aspect of saftey are met