SHAQUEME REMAINS UNDEFEATED AND BECAME FIRST PERSON TO EXECUTE THE MUFFLER

Record was created on 17 Nov in Malaysia Fighting Championship (MFC). Shaqueme Rock became the 1st person possibly in Asia to execute the technique dubbed Pyhthon Trap " the Muffler.", made famous by grappling ace Vagner Rocha.

Shaqueme or fondly call Shem among his friends executed that submission perfectly when he submitted Indonesian Hendi Praharso. He got the job done in a little over a minute in round 1. This victory extend his pro record to 3-0-0 and he has remain undefeated since his amateur days. Shem's MMA fight in MFC9 last night was the only pro fight in the cards.

Shem is from Liverpool and came to Malaysia few years ago and trained at Monarchy MMA ( Kuala Lumpur). This MMA prodigy entered Malaysian Invasion (MIMMA) season 4 in 2016 and won all his fights and emerged champion of the Foreign Pride category.

A year after, he debuted in his 1st pro MMA fight at the now defunct Golden Warriors Fighting Championship (GWFC), winning by armbar in round 1. His 2nd pro fight in Sep 2017 also in GWFC was also a quick victory as he won by rear naked choke in round 1.

Saturday's fight was very meaningful for Shem because after his 2nd pro victory he has been eagerly looking for a match up to grow his record but nothing seems to work out as opponent seems to pull out from facing him one after another for various reasons.

"This is my 9th pull out and my 10 opponent in a row but for this event itself (MFC9) Hendi was the 4th opponent change."
Nevertheless Shem gave props to Hendi for stepping up and broke the jinx.

WRB: Does the constant opponent change frustrate you?
"I’m a martial artist and my goal is to go out there and impose my will no matter who I see across me in that cage.  I believe I have the ability to beat anyone when I take them to my strengths. I don’t really have specific game plan depending on opponents."

WRB: How does it feel to finally been able to step into the cage? You look calmer than before.

"I've been  training hard 3 years non-stop, never took a holiday. Not a chance this guy was come into my territory and taking what was mine. I've been visualising all camp how the fight would go and it went exactly how I knew it would. 

To be honest, this was the smallest show I've fought on in all my career and it just felt like another sparring session in the gym."

WRB: Take us through that awesome submission
"Well it’s a funny thing, actually Vagner Rocha has been making huge waves in the BJJ scene with this technique and it's been going viral.
So the day before my fight he made a “python trap challenge”. 
Whoever sends him the best video he will give them some prize of some sort ...LOL.
I just thought it would be cool to have that on my record and on the highlight reel so I reached out to him and told him I’ll do it in my fight. I think he took it as a joke but he reached it back and told me if I pulled it off he will repost me.
So I woke up early the morning of the fight and only drilled that for 30 mins at open mats then I rolled for 30 mins and only specifically looked for that set up and that finish.
After that, went home sleep and went to the fight calm and feeling good and did it there almost smoother than I did drilling it."

beginning of the end

the muffler in effect

WRB: How is your mindset now that you finally got a fight before 2018 ends. Whats your message to promoter out there?
"I got no point to prove to anyone. This is my job and I need to make a living. But I’ve proven time and time again, if you give me a fight I can you a show hi-lights! How can you not appreciate that as a promoter. 

I believe I'm the best featherweight fighter in South East Asia and my goal is to prove that, then after that, my goal is to be the best 145lber in the world. But more importantly the best martial artist I can be!"

Becoming the 1st person to execute this unique submission may call for a celebration, but not for Shaqueme. He will take a short break and then go back into hard training as he is preparing for his next pro fight in Taipeh in January 2019.

Monarchy MMA sent 6 fighters (including Shem) to MFC 9, participating in amateur boxing and muaythai. 4 walkout winners.

MFC 9 competitor...( with Shaqueme & friends gesturing "the Muffler")

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Malaysia Fighting Championship (MFC) is Malaysia's first MMA promotion started back in 2011. After a 5 year hiatus MFC returns this year in April with it's semi pro series. Last Saturday event was the 2nd for this year held at MuayFit Petaling Jaya. They have also mixing up boxing & muaythai bouts with MMA and was the first event to offer winners prizes in crypto currency (MFIT COIN)

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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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JENARTEN COME BACK VICTORY IN MALAYSIAN FIGHTFEST

25 Aug 2018.
Another chapter was written in Malaysian MMA history. Malaysian Fight Fest (MYFF), an amateur MMA promotions went underway and it held it's first event at Quill City Mall with 14 bouts on the cards. (click here to read the pre-event story)



28 fighters came to showcase their skills and some very eagerly looking for the win, as we see a 64% the cards resulted in a finish.

Here are the full results:

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We see a lot of debutant entering the cage, as Henry Goh of MYFF pointed out, MYFF main aim is to be a place for newbies to test out their skills.

The two most experience fighters on the cards was Sarawakian Jay Jay Anak Muran being MIMMA5 grand finalist; and Jenarten Radhakrishnan the MIMMA2 grand finalist. As the most experience of the lot, this two was match-up in the bantamweight category.

After losing to Prabu Somainadu in MIMMA 2 grand finals, Jenarten drop off from the scene.  MYFF was Jenarten's first MMA fight in four years. But this was not his first fight after MIMMA 2, four months back he took a fight in semi-pro boxing in Muayfit series and won by round 2 TKO.

Jenarten with coach Yeow Chet (middle) & team mate Gladys Molling (left) at MuayFit series

Only 19 when he fought in MIMMA2, Jenarten had to leave the combat sports scene to focus on his studies. He now has completed his degree in IT specialising in Forensic Computing from Asia Pacific University. During his time in Uni, he still keep fit by regular martial arts training and playing futsal.

We have heard so much of the story of Agilan Thani (MIMMA2 welterweight champion); how martial arts help mould him from an overweight kid to become ONE Championship welterweight contender today. 

It was the same for Jenarten. His venture into martial arts was to loose the pounds. Throughout his schooling days he was overweight. Reaching 93kg at one point.

To overcome this, he started going to a regular gym, but soon got tired of doing the same workout. Since he always wanted to take up martial arts, he felt it's time. He started class and within 3 months, lost 25kg! Feeling ecstatic as he has been fat throughout his childhood and teenage years, he now have a healthy weight. He continued training for 8 months and then took his maiden fight in the MIMMA2 tournament.

He first started at Wuji MMA, then change to HIT Fitness as their schedule fits him better. He now trains with Titan Fight Team under coach Yeow Chet. Occasionally also train by Malaysian MMA superstar, Peter Davis of Wuji MMA.

Jenarten in 2014 MIMMA2 (left), MYFF (right)

Jenarten took us through his fight in MYFF, by rounds...
"Round 1 started and I come at him early with a spinning back kick to belly but contested by Jay Jay as groin strike and took the injury time of minutes to recover.

At the end of round 1 I new I did more than enough to secure round 1 and planned to finish the fight in round 2."

"I already knew before the start of round 2 that he was gassed out because of the body shots and took extra 30 seconds after the seconds were out."

"So I planned to strike with him a little and take him down to finish it. When I took him down I was attempting for an arm triangle but he defended, so I decided to land some ground and pound. He was defending very badly and ref had to stop the fight."

Jenarten admits that the fighters nowdays is technically more sound than when he fought in 2014 MIMMA. But during the absence from competition, he himself also has matured and made loads of improvement on his boxing and wrestling.

He wants to stay active in the combat sports scene, in his plans to turn pro in near future. 

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MYFF winners won prizes from many sponsors that Henry Goh prefer to call partners. As he felt that MYFF is a partnership between organiser and brands working together to develop and grow Malaysian MMA talent. 

organising team with referees, judges & partners

 

Note: All MYFF pictures by YK TANG Photography, 
check out his FB to see more MYFF pictures, and get yourself updated by following MYFF FB for future MYFF events and happenings

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GRAND MERDEKA SUPER FIGHT FULL RESULTS

Last weekend was a triple whammy. The weekend of 25-26 August, saw the actions of  KK Int BJJ, Malaysian Fight Fest (in KL) and Grand Merdeka Super Fight. I had to cover 3 martial arts event, but I can only be at one physically.

But organising chairman, Johan Julian Lee Abdullah, kept me up to speed on the going ons at the event.

It was two days of action that happened at KK's latest mall - Grand Merdeka. Located around 30 mins drive from KK. It's good to see local mall coming forward to become venue sponsor for combat sports event. Knowing that combat sports event bring crowds. The participants, their team mates, supporters and families present a ready customers for their mall.

Grand Merdeka Super Fight also became an avenue for development of new talent. 1st day saw junior age kickboxers compete. Out of the 80 participants, half of them are participants in the kids & teens category which fought in 21 bouts.

On the 2nd day, adults category were held. 20 bouts were competed, 2 being the semi-pro title fight.

The event saw the participation of 14 teams + 3 independent fighters collected medals
D' Sha Muaythai from Tawau emerge overall champion with 7 champion & 3 runners-up medals.

 
Below is the results for the day 2 (adults category) :

Bout 1 -10

Bout 11-20

D'Sha Muaythai Team  - overall champion

On Day 1, saw MIMMA 5 Lightweight champion, Nathaniel Lakai of Warmonger Miri in action vs Kyo Kaede, former Muaythai champion whom is making a comeback in combat sports. This fight was specially arrange as the last fight on 25 August, which enabled Nathaniel to compete in KK Int. BJJ on 26 Aug.

It was in the class B catgeory (for fighter with 3 or more fight experience). It was a slow start as both feel out each other in the first round, but in later rounds, Nathaniel found his timing for good powerful combos, which saw an uppercut that put Kyo in an 8 count. Nathaniel won the bout via unanimous decision.

Nathaniel vs Kyo

Day 1 (kids & teens)

Day 2 (adults)

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Johan Julian wants to give shout out to coach Sharon Andrea Gerald of D'SHA MUAYTHAI , whom sent a huge contingent of kids & teens to participate.

Also to coach Dhillon Tahing of REVOLUTION GYM whom brought athlete from SMK Pulau Gaya. Coming all the way from the island to Grand Merdeka mall. Even their school principal & vice principal came to support.

This is good for the development of combat sports, to have committed coaches who sacrifice their time & effort to coach & guide youngsters and encourage them to participate in competition to enable them to grow their skills further & develop sportsmanship & camaraderie among other combat sports athletes.

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Some feedback Julian received is on the results which some coaches felt was unsatisfactory. Julian said he understood their feelings and is certainly something he would look into. But he hopes the coaches & their team understand that the organiser does not have any influence over the results.

As an ISKA sanctioned event, certified ISKA judges and referees are in charge of the decision. The referees and judges are separate from the organising team and organiser follow by the results given by them.

Moving forward, Julian said some gym need to pay attention on their fighters registering but was a no show. He advise that gym should be more responsible for this and have better planning.

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The two hi-light title bouts on day 2 certainly live up to it's name. It was very close fight as both title bouts ended in split decision. (click here to read the pre-event story)

Aziz Hoo Gwo Jye of Kinabalu Fighters won the 60kg Semi-pro title belt against Fadzly Bin Julai of Warmonger Miri. (click here to read Fadzly's pre-event story)

Daenver Randel Raphael of Kinabalu Fighters won the 85kg Semi-pro title belt against Zachenzie Zifyon Douni of Keningau MMA.

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