SABAH FIGHT VOL 2 : SUNNY 'THE SILENCER' WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP CUP FOR LABUAN

March this year, I think should be dubbed Sabah Muaythai month. 10-11 March saw Elopura Fights 2nd Edition held in Sandakan. Then a week after in Papar, YB Datuk Rosnah Cup was held at Sabah Muaythai Camp. March ended with the return of SABAH FIGHT. 

It was held on 31 March 2018 at Yayasan Sabah complex ground in Kota Kinabalu. This was the 2nd edition after a year break. Organised as part of a big youth festival named : FIESTA BELIA SEPANGGAR, it was the center of attraction among many other activities specially cater for the youth and the young at heart.

Sabah Fight vol 2 was organised by Persatuan Belia Inspirasi Kinabalu and sanctioned by Sabah Muaythai Association. 12 amatuer rules fight plus another 7 pro rules Muaythai was competed.

The pro Muaythai held at night draws huge crowd as lots of local fan favourite fighters was featured. See below for the full results.

Amateur rules bouts

Female 50kg pro: Tu Sin Yee vs Arteng 

39kg Juvinile category pro: Azman vs Daniel

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Randal won the Kelab Sukan Inspirasi Boreno Cup

Randal 'The Slayer' Kadayum of Kinabalu Fighters, multiple championship holder whom announced his retirement in Sabah Fight 1 (Dec 2016) could not resist temptation to come back and put on the boxing gloves and compete for the huge 60kg Championship Cup.

His return was triumphant as he defeated Muhd Fahmi of PDRM after a 3 rounds decision victory. 

After Sabah Fight 1, Randal has basically stop from competing in combat sports and participate mostly in marathon. But this year he started to train again and March was a hectic month for him. 

17 March he won Gold for his Cage Boxing participation in Borneo King of the Cage. March 25, saw him again participating in boxing. This time again victorious with Gold at the Mayor's Cup Boxing Tournament, beating a SUKMA athlete.

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Rizal unleashing low kick on his opponent

Muhd Rizal of Karabaw return to the Muaythai ring for the 67kg bout.The last we saw Rizal in action was in Dec 2017 at Labuan BMAEX , which he fought pro Kickboxing. He lost the bout via TKO. In the Sabah Fight 67kg, Rizal gain back winning ways when he won by 2nd round TKO against Tengku Faris of PDRM.

The Kings Legacy Cup 60kg sponsored by Kinabalu Kings was up for grab between Opong Maphilindo (Kinabalu Kings) and Fadhil (Selendang Kuning). Fadhil convincingly won the cup winning via 1st round TKO.

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The main fight of the night saw hearing impaired fighter Sunny 'The Silencer' Sabornido of Borneo Combat Gym Labuan fought against Ali Hobbit of Revolution Gym.

Sunny was looking to win a championship title to start his 2018 well after a lost last year fighting pro Kickboxing at Labuan BMAEX. As for Ali, the YB Datuk Rosnah Cup he won in just two weeks ago serves as a motivation for him to add another championship cup to his collection.

The fight went the distance and judges decision went to Sunny Sabornido. 

Sunny is a true inspiration. Works as a machinist by day, he trains at night at Borneo Combat Gym (BCG) Labuan. He has been active in Muaythai comp since 2010. Back in his home town Keningau when he was a kid , his interest in martial art lead him to try Karate. He moved to Labuan and tried Taekwondo.

He stopped his training when he moved to study in Tuaran. After graduating high school, he moved back to Labuan, tried boxing but it all didn't work well as the big obstacle of communication between him and trainer.

It was at BCG Labuan that he finally found his dream of progressing in martial arts. Head coach and BCG founder Alvin Chong took him under his wing and guided Sunny. Alvin invested his time to learn sign language to ensure he can impart his knowledge properly to Sunny.

Sunny with his coach and mentor Alvin Chong

Through lots of hard work and lots of patience, Sunny began to improve and to this day has collected a number of championship title, among them,

• 2011 : MUAY THAI FIT WARRIOR ZON MALAYSIA TIMUR SARAWAK
• 2012 : MUAY THAI FIT WARRIOR ZON SABAH
• 2013 : MUAY THAI CHALLENGE SINGAPORE
• 2014 : D-1 FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP RHINO WARRIOR SABAH
• 2014 : DIHNAR D-1 AKINABALU, SABAH
• 2015 : INTERNATIONAL WUSHU OPEN TOURNAMENT KUALA LUMPUR
• 2017 : INTERNATIONAL MUAY THAI PRE SEA GAMES CHAMPIONSHIP KUALA LUMPUR

Sunny aims to proof that even when has hearing disability, with hard work and determination he is able to go far. He is Labuan Deaf Association President and wants to use his position and his achievement in martial arts to inspire and improve the lives of those with hearing impaired.

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In the amateur category saw the participation of fighters from SMK Pulau Gaya.
This is a high school located at the Gaya Island which is 30 mins boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. SMK Pulau Gaya Muaythai Club is just 3 months old. It's an initiative from Sabah Muaythai Association to introduced Muaythai as a co-curriculum at the school every week.

According to Sabah Fight matchmaker and coach at Revolution Gym, Dhillon Tahing, he was amazed at how fast the students pick up the basic. They work hard and showed tremendous interest. Dhillon selected a few potential talent for the competition team to train at his gym in Alam Mesra.

Their school teacher Miss Nirwana and Cikgu Maznun is very cooperative. After school they fetch the students at the jetty with their car to Revolution Gym and waited for them to finish their training and send them back to the jetty.

The school principle are very supportive of the Muaythai Club program. He said the students who joined has become more discipline and was able to focus better in class. Some of these students used to be trouble maker, but after starting Muaythai, they become more obedient and cooperative.

To ensure these students does not use Muaythai as a way out of studies. Dhillon has set the condition that Muaythai Club members of the school must have good exam results. The teacher chip in by giving these students extra class to improve their studies. Dhillon set his goal to help and mould these students to achieve success through Muaythai.

Two of them, Abdul Tawab 14 and Mudzil Qamir 13 was selected to be part of Sabah Muaythai team competing at the Nationals Inter School & Club Championship in Kuala Lumpur last week ( 4-10 April ).

Dhillon Tahing flank by Adbul Tawab (R) & Mudzil (L) and their teacher Ms Nirwana

Abdul Tawab won bronze in the Nationals Inter-School

Mudzil won the silver

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Special edition Sabah Fight Tshirt sold by Band of Gorilla

Sabah Fight spoke person Lucky Akbar Liun explained that Sabah Fight serve as platform not just for amateur or newcomer to gain fight experience but also for those that wants to turn pro. He said he hope to make Sabah Fight a place where amateur fighters with some fight experience can take up their first pro fight.

Lucky represent Kelab Inspirasi Kinabalu, the main committee that organised the whole festival. Lucky adds that Festival Belia Sepanggar objective was to bring youth of all ages and races together, through activities that specially cater for them and Muaythai was one of that.

Thei objective was certainly achieved. That week, Yayasan Sabah ground was packed with many visitors especially youth to take part in various activities such as Remote Control Car Race, Futsal, Hip-Hop Dance-off, Fishing Contest, Auto-Show, Battle of the Band, Rock Concert etc.

Lucky wants to convey his special thanks to BAND OF GORILLA, the official sponsors that provide the printing material such as buntings, poster and backdrop for the Fiesta

look for Band of Gorilla for your printing needs

The VIP that graced the opening  of event, Tuan Hisyam Abdullah , representative of Tan Sri Pandikar Amin (center) , En Nourman Rayn - President of Sabah Youth Council (in blue long sleeve). Dg. Mas Safiah - Youth & Sports Ministry officer ( in maroon headscarf)

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CELEBRATE MERDEKA DAY WITH MFN2

This year's Merdeka Day will be very special for combat sports fans in Sabah. Muay Fight Night (MFN) will returns with its 2nd edition. This competition will be held at the Team Karabaw Gym HQ at 88 Marketplace, Kepayan, Kota Kinabalu.

This edition will be special as it's offering the first ever Muay Thai Ladies Cup. This Ladies Cup competition is the first women only Muay Thai tournament held in Malaysia.

On top of that a Wai Khru  competition which is open to both male & female will also be first time competed in Borneo. This competition is open to all Muay Thai association club and gym.

Wai Khru is the form of patterns or ritual which is commonly display before a Muay Thai competition (check out the link for more information)

MFN 2 is a continuous development program set in place by Muaythai Association of Sabah, headed by Hj Nazri Razak, the president.

MFN 2 - Ladies Cup intend to give female Muay Thai participants a chance to display their skills in the ring at an amatuer level. Female Muay Thai practitioner will be able to showcase what they have learn over the few months of preparation by their respective team.

click to watch the intro videos from some of the Ladies Cup participants

This competition also intends to be a catalyst for female to pick up Muay Thai as a form of self defense, building a healthier & fit body and as a way to boost their confidence and self believe.

It takes courage to enter the ring. Many fighting on this Merdeka day will be a first timer which is a good sign as this shows that more and more newbies are participating.

MuayThai Sabah has many program to unearth and develop Muay Thai talent through tournament such as Inter-District and Inter-Club, in MFN 2 Muaythai Sabah decided to introduce Wai Khru as a competition to encourage Muay Thai practitioner to learn the art aspect of Muay Thai.

Through learning of Wai Khru, participants are able to learn the deeper meaning & roots of Muay Thai, delving into it's history and tradition and learning the cultural & art aspect. At the same time, building ethics, etiquette and respect.

It is also a very good sign that many of Wai Khru participants are teenagers, these is a positive sign as to build a strong foundation you need to mold them from young.

It will certainly be a entertaining fight night with these two new competition first time held here. Don't miss out the event, celebrate Merdeka by supporting your local martial art event!

THREE MALAYSIAN QUEST FOR GLORY IN HEX FIGHT SERIES 10

World's attention will be on MMA on 29 July 2017 as the much anticipated UFC214 will feature the rematch of Daniel Cormier vs Jon Jones in California. At the same day in Washington, the rebirth of World Series of Fighting ( WSOF ) to Professional Fighters League will see it's first event being held with a featherweight title fight.

But on the other side of the world, in Perth Australia, MMA fans will be feasted to a 12 bouts pro MMA fight in Hex Fight Series 10, that will feature fighters from around the region.

Notably for Malaysia, 3 MMA athletes will do combat in the Australian hexagon.

2 will be from Sabah's Borneo Tribal Squad; Allen Solomon Chong and Edilah Johanny.
Allen will fight in a catchweight bout of 59kg vs Perth home boy Ryan Robertson. Edilah will also face a local from Perth, Kim Piper. Another Malaysian is Sam Chan from Kuala Lumpur. He will face Suman Mokhtarian.

Allen is no stranger in the Malaysian MMA scene. With background in TaeKwon-Do Allen discovered BJJ when he was studying in Australia. He brought back BJJ to his home state Sabah and practically started a BJJ craze among the martial art fraternity there. He went on to formed the first BJJ association in Malaysia and organizes many tournament that grew the sports in Malaysia.

He made his name winning the lightweight title in Asia biggest amateur tournament, MIMMA 1 back in 2013. Went on to be the only South East Asian to be selected for UFC's The Ultimate Fighter China.

Allen went on the fight in the local promotions. Earning himself a 3-2-0 record as of date. One of the lost comes from Aussie Aidan Auguilera in Hex Fight Series 6. That was a fight Allen took in a very short notice. He is determined to erase that KO lost and return to the hexagon cage fully prepared to continue his two fight winning streak.

He is well prepared this time around. Fight camp at Borneo Tribal Squad (BTS) under coach AJ Pyro has been great improvement for him. BTS with it's stable of pro fighters gave Allen plenty of quality sparring and a mean conditioning work from CrossFit 1722.

Allen's opponent, Ryan Robertson is eager to showcase his skills at home in Western Australia's first caged event in since the ban was recently lifted. Robertson's 2 MMA wins have both come via stoppage, with 1 submission and 1 knockout. He will look to showcase more of those well rounded skills for his hometown fans. He believe his striking skills will be the key to victory.

watch the pre fight promo video 

Edilah Nadrah Johanny, Allen's team mate from Borneo Tribal Squad is debuting her pro fight in Perth. Fondly call Ila by her friends, this Dusun girl from the town of Ranau at the foothills of Mt Kinabalu has been athletic since young. Picked up TaeKwon-Do as a kid and participated in local tournaments. Entering secondary schools she moved to track & field. 

It was Ann Osman ( Malaysia's 1st female pro MMA fighter ) that inspired Ila to pick up martial arts again. At first she joined Ann's own gym Fitness Rites, eventually her hunger to fight moved her to join Borneo Tribal Squad, as team mates of Ann. She participated in Kickboxing and Muaythai tournament but at BTS, AJ trained his fighters to be well rounded and eventually Ila got into MMA.

Carrying the nickname Fire Storm given by her coach AJ Pyro, Ila may be small in size but Ila has an explosive style of fighting. But her mind is always calms even when she is pull into the deep ends. This comes from her attitude as a scientist. Ila is studying for her masters in Biodiversity and Biosytematic. Researching on insects require her to be details, analytical and have lots of patience.

Across the hexagon cage to Ila will be Kim Piper. At 40 years of age, she is still fighting fit. A personal trainer at Evolution MMA, Perth, she ply her trade in Eternal MMA with a two amateur victory. Standing at 160 cm Kim will have height and reach advantage over Ila.

Kim's pro debut will have rousing support from Australian as she is also the founder of Sxy MMA. A company that provides ring card models and glamorous fitness models for fight events in Australia. 

As for the third Malaysian on the card, it's Sam Chan. Representing Vim Fight Team, this is Sam's 2nd fight after a long lay off. He just competed in WBC Boxing match in Kuala Lumpur last month. 

Sam's was one of the pioneer of Malaysian MMA. In those early days there was no MMA gym. Sam was training here and there switching places, learning different arts from different coaches and developing his own fighting styles. As he got into business, he was off training for awhile but decided to live back his glory days of fighting. 

It's going to be an uphill task for Sam as his opponent Suman Moktharian is on a 6 fight winning streak with zero loss. Suman made headlines at Hex Fight Series 9 when he choked out Magana Kiewon with a dazzling Teepee Triangle. The submission marked a world first for MMA, and created ripples throughout the globe. The history making choke hold was acknowledged by the likes of world class UFC coach & grappling wizard, Eddie Bravo. 

Now, the Australian Top Team prospect will look to put on another thrilling performance when he fights Sam Chan.

watch the 1st Tepee submission in MMA 

Founder & promoter of Hex Fight Series, Charles Fernandez is very excited for this 10th edition, and first time in Perth after the ban on cage fighting was lifted recently.

MMA fight in cage was illegal in Perth and in Melbourne, since 2013 and 2008 respectively, whilst the bans were in place, MMA matches were conducted  in a traditional boxing ring. But due to complaint of safety from fighters and the raising awareness of UFC and MMA generally globally, with the fact that Australian has produce MMA athletes like Anthony Perosh, Mark Hunt and most recently Robert Whitaker winning the UFC's interim middleweight title has changed the mind of decision maker.

UFC has hold events in Sydney and Melbourne before and with the ban lifted Perth is already in their radar and this will surely bring lots of attention to Western Australia. 

As for Hex, Charles said that in 2017, Hex has already completed two events in Mach and June; and looking to staged 5 events altogether ( as per dates below ).

• July 29 - Hex 10
• Sept 1 - Hex 11
• Nov 24 - Hex 12

Charles continue to add that MMA has plenty of room for growth still in Australia, and at this stage he is looking to accomplish more within Australia but there are future plans for the region.

Charles is particularly proud to have Robert Whitaker in Hex Fight Series 10.

"Rob will attend as a special guest of Hex Fight Series. He will open the cage at the event and he is excited to attend. There will also be an opportunity for fans to get a photo and meet Australia’s first UFC champion."

Malaysian and other outside Australia fight fans can log onto EPICENTER TV for live streaming