ONE CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETES LAUNCH BAD LAB’S BRAND PAGE IN WATSONS ONLINE STORE!

pix by YK Tang

14 August 2017 – Malaysia
As the official personal care brand sponsor of ONE Championship for the 2nd year in a row, and in conjunction with ONE Championship coming fight in Stadium Negara (18th Aug 2017), ONE : QUEST FOR GREATNESS, BAD LAB announced the availability of BAD LAB products via Watson’s online store.

BAD LAB, the complete personal care range man-gineered for the unconventional man are pleased to announce the launch of Bad Lab’s exclusive Brand Page on Watsons Online Store. 

pix by YK Tang

In attendance are the five Malaysian MMA warriors; brothers Gianni and Keanu Subba, former world title challengers Ev “E.T” Ting and Agilan “Alligator” Thani, as well as Malaysian warrior belle Ann “Athena” Osman.

On this special occasion BAD LAB and Watsons together with ONE Championship held a “Meet the Fans” event on Monday August 14 from 2 to 4 pm, at the Watson’s Store in Sunway Pyramid, Bandar Sunway. 

This was to gives fans a unique opportunity to show their support for their local athletes and have some fun experiencing BAD LAB’s products alongside top-ranked ONE Championship Malaysian athletes.

The elegant looking Ann Osman ( pix by YK tang )

Meet the Fans session ( pix by YK Tang )

Ev Ting (left) & Agilan (right) being interviewed by the media ( pix: YK Tang )

Opportunity to face off with Ev Ting was given to fans in attendance ( pix: YK Tang )

Papa Subba with The Subba brothers  ( oix by YK Tang )

Kimmy Wong, BAD LAB Asst. Brand Manager, says, 

“Given the special and unique attributes of our products along with the exciting association with the athletes, the fans are in for a treat. With the unique position of being an International Brand made in Malaysia, BAD LAB is proud to announce the availability via Watsons Online Store, with special launch promotion dedicated to consumers until 31st Aug 2017.”

Lum Chong Heng, BAD LAB’s Commercial Director adds, 

“With the growing trend of on-line shopping, BAD LAB is proud to be working with Watsons to create an exclusive Brand Page in Watsons on-line store. With this initiative, consumers will not only be able to purchase BAD LAB products in Watsons physical stores across the country but also will be able to buy BAD LAB on line in Watsons on-line store.”

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: 

“ONE Championship represents the true values of martial arts -- perseverance, honour, respect, resilience -- these are just some of the traits we identify with and are proud to share with BAD LAB. Together, we will deliver the world’s most authentic martial arts action and the most exciting events in sports entertainment. It is an honour to be working with a great company, and we expect big things to come in the near future.”

Following the announcement of BAD LAB’s availability on Watsons Online Store, BAD LAB in collaboration with Watsons will offer as much as 20% Price Off and Freebies to consumers whom purchases at Watsons Online Store, until 31st August.

A consumer contest : BAD LAB & ONE Championship "BAD LAB ICON" Contest was also organised from 2 August to 15 August to let consumers win some ONE Championship tickets. Stay tuned to BAD LAB Facebook to see who wins!

ONE Championship Quest for greatness will be headline by the Featherweight title fight between Russian Marat Gafurov and Australian Martin Nguyen. The five Malaysians warriors that launch the BAD LAB - Watsons online is also on the cards and will be battling for greatness in their respective category.

Don't forget to get your tickets to watch our five Malaysian warriors quest for greatness on this Friday nights. Tickets are available airasiaredtix.com

UFC 210: Weigh-in Drama for Daniel Cormier

Photo by Joe Camporeale for USA TODAY Sports

The highly anticipated UFC 210 Light Heavyweight fight which will go down on 8 April 2017 ( US time ) between defending champion Daniel Cormier vs No.1 contender Anthony Johnson, nearly didn't happen.

In the report from MMA Fighting.com shows the video Daniel Cormier weighing in the first time, He took off all his cloths and look rather out of focus. Weighing in at 206.2 pounds (93.53kg) on a digital scale, which is 1.2 pounds (0.54kg) over the limit of 205 pounds (92.9kg).

In UFC rules, missing weigh will cost the fighters to lose around 20% of their show money which is given to the opponents, and if it's a title fight, then it will be called off and fighters will both need to agree to fight at a catch weigh.

Missed weigh on his first attempt

Everyone was aghast as there seems to be not enough time for Daniel Cormier to loose that 1.2 pounds as theres only a few minutes left. And Anthony is no where to seen yet

In the weigh in system started by the state of California which was accepted at most state in USA, a two hour window of weigh-in are given to fighters, in which they can weigh in anytime but only one time is allowed.

However new York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) differed to state rule in which championship fighters are allowed to weigh-in a second time within the 2 hours window if they failed in the first attempt.

Following this Daniel Cormier after just two short minutes, came back for another attempt. Again stripping all, with UFC crew holding up towel to cover him from the camera, he appears to be leaning on to the towel. Suddenly they announce that he weigh-in at 205 to the shouts of joy from team!

2nd attempt - on the dot 205 pounds - did the towel took the extra 1.2 pounds?

DC's team joyful when his 2nd attempt was successful

Then after Anthony Johnson appear from behind and stepped on the scale...weigh in at 203.8. So the Championship fight is still on. But it was rather controversial as many are of the opinion that Daniel Cormier cheated by holding on to the towel with both hands to make the weigh ( which appears to be an old trick amateur wrestlers use to make weigh ).



In an interview later Cormier explained that he hold on the towel so that no one sees his 'junk'. He said that before going for the official weigh in , he and his team weigh upstairs and it was OK, in which he questions the scale being use at the official weigh-in.

Cutting weigh in MMA has catch plenty of bad publicity lately. Fighters who do not make weigh are deemed unprofessional and will loose their fight purse as a punishment. If their opponents do not agree, a fight can be cancel, which is of course will be a very disappointing matters to viewership.

Fighters will cut weigh to weigh-in lighter than their usual weigh, in an attempt to gain advantage during fight as usually after making weigh they will put back on the pounds rapidly.

But the danger of extreme weigh cutting is very real. Usually the weigh loss are just water
Extreme dehydration will potentially lead to lethal neurological concerns. Depletion of the fluid that surrounds the brain not only renders fighters more susceptible to being knocked out, but it also carries with it the risk of more permanent consequences.

In Dec 2015, while cutting weigh for ONE Championship event, 21-year-old Chinese prospect Yang Jian Bing died from dehydration. Immediately after ONE Championship announce a revamp of their weigh cutting policy to prevent extreme weigh cut ( check out Bloody Elbow coverage on ONE Championship weigh cut policy )

Another drama at UFC 210 weigh in was for female strawweight, Pearl Gonzales. Pearl had disclosed that she has breast implants in her contract and was utterly surprise when she was informed by the commission that in New York state breast implants are not allowed for fighters.

Photo: Zuffa LLC

Her fight with Cynthia Calvillo was initially called off, but Pearl and her team put in the argument that she didn't lie to the commission and has declared it to them. Eventually the fight was reinstated and Pearl said she didn't want the world to talk about her cosmetic surgery but she will ride on this wave of publicity and make sure she is known for her victory rather than her breast implant.

For UFC 210 main card between Cormier vs Johnson will be a rematch. Cormier took the vacant Light Heavyweight title when he submitted Johnson in May 2015 UFC 187. The title was vacated by Jon Jones when UFC stripped it off him to Jon's involvement in a hit and run.

Cormier defended the title against Alex Gustaffson and Anderson Silva, he was supposed to fight Jon Jones again, but Jon failed a drug test and was suspended.

Anthony Johnson himself has seen a fair share of missed weight in UFC when he was a welterweight. UFC let him go in 2012, and Anthony fought in Titan FC and WSOF winning 5 fight in a row as a Light heavyweight. He earned his way back into UFC and after his lost to Cormier, he has been chalking up 3 win in a row with win via KO from his punches.

Kung Fu in the Borneo Jungle - Allen Chong JFL fight

When it comes to selling a fight, Allen Solomon Chong is the man. ( read about Allen's profile in my previous post  here) His penchant for showmanship is bringing attention to a sports that is growing steadily in Malaysia. No doubt a lot of fighters will say that they will let their fighting skills do the talking in the cage, but at this age of digital news and widespread use of social media, a fighter has to do more than just fight. What a fighter does before and after a fight is also key to building up a brand for himself.

Allen when he first started his MMA career in MIMMA1 2013, already know how to use this. Always with a cheerful and witty persona, he manage to gain many fans and attention to his fights. Appearing in the face-off for his MIMMA1 (2013) grand finals, he already work up a unique style as his image. Going with his nick name Orang Utan Sabah, he brought out two bananas & point it at his opponent in the face-off.

MIMMA1  Grand final face-off. Pix credit: Colourlessopinions.com

Fight promoters is in need of personality like Allen as it help them sell fights. It is definately good for sponsors too as this brings more coverage for the fighter they sponsors and ultimately more awareness and attention to their brand or products. 

All busted up but still manage to smile...Winning the MIMMA1 Lightweight belt. Pix credit: MMA Weekly

With his marketability plus his BJJ skills Allen was selected as the only South East Asian for The Ultimate Fighter China. 

UFC's The Ultimate Fighter photoshoot. Pix credit: Getty Images

In Allen's Pro debut at Johor's Ultimate Beatdown-15, he went all Super Saiyan, cut his long hair and appear with a new blonde hairdo.

Super Saiyan time in Ultimate Beatdown

Fighter is also a product. A product that need to be sold. Sold to the audience. Because ultimately a promotions need viewers, be it live, pay per view or in news media. And the more viewers a promotion gets, the easier it is for them to bring in sponsors. Same goes with individual fighters, the more you sell yourself, either by fighting very well or build up a persona that is marketable. If you can have both, that's a perfect combo for success.

Just look at Conor McGregor. Not everyone may agree with his style, but what he does definitely boost his name and I don't have to tell you who he is, I bet you know him. We can't deny his fighting prowess is good to begin with, but when he was coming up in UFC he was not fighting with anyone in the big league, dominating other fighters easily. Before his big fight with Jose Aldo, Conor fought and dominate Diego Brandao, Dustin Poirier and Dennis Siver. But he uses his trash talking to bring attention to himself and got himself a title fight vs Jose Aldo.

UFC management notice that a whole lots of people wants to see him fight, not because everyone likes him, but equal amount of people who hates him wants to see him fight too, expecting his opponent to shut him up in the cage, but all this ultimately bring in viewers. 

Just look at Mighty Mouse Demitrious Johnson (DJ). Pound for pound he is the best and is the only champion that is still undefeated, the other category championship belt has all change waist. But when it comes down to pay per view, DJ's fight is one of the lowest. Partly because he is so dominating that no flyweight in UFC rooster are able to give him a significant challenge, hence viewers find that his fights are not exciting. But partly also DJ is the type of person that does not call attention to himself.     

Allen's media weigh-in and face-off on 23 Sept 2016 for Jesselton Fight League was an attention grabber. Going back to his MIMMA1 style, Allen again surprise everyone in 1 Borneo when he flipped out two bananas to his opponent Joben Superales of Hyper MMA, Philipine. Later he offered the bananas to Joben as they feed each other crossing arms.

I got three bananas!... I mean two!

Hands up!

"Don't worry,  I didn't lace it with laxative,heheh. Pisang Sabah is healthy and nutritious, good for energy after cutting weight"

It''s gonna be Kung Fu in the Borneo Jungle...limited edition Team Allen shirt

Allen is going full Kung Fu mode this time as he needs the win to boost his records. He is aiming to get back into the big league. He will head the cards for JFL as the main event vs Joben Superales. Joven is out to avenge his mentor in this fight. Joben's mentor and coach, Sensei Arnel Lamibao lost to Allen in 2015 Ultimate Beatdown. Arnel himself will also be fighting in the co-main event vs American Cody Young.
Catch all these fight today in 1 Borneo.

Warriors of Borneo wishes Allen and Joven a good fight, bring on the action, go for Fight of the Night!

Kelvin Ong : The ICE MAN pro MMA debut in WSOF GC-3

In the early hours of 2am every morning, Kelvin Ong wakes up and starts to prepare for work. As the eldest and only son in the family, Kelvin run a family business with his mother in a stall at the LIDO market in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Kelvin will be busy preparing all the ingredients to make porridge and herbal tea. These items are the hot selling items and he prepares them meticulously. By 5am he is already at the market setting up his stall and business will continue till 10am.

From LIDO market it’s off to join Coach AJ Pyro and his Borneo Tribal Squad (BTS) team mates for a grueling session of strength and conditioning training. Coach AJ’s session of Spartan like training for his team. He work them on hill sprints and lots of high intensity interval exercise which is certainly not for the faint hearted.

After morning training, often under the hot sun, Kelvin will go back to have a break and sleep for a few hours. By 5pm he will be ready and leave for BTS gym for the evening session training to polish his martial arts skills. Wrestling, BJJ, Muaythai and boxing is a weekly routine. After the evening session, Kelvin goes back to rest and sleep for another few hours and wakes up at 2am again to continue his routine.

 

The BTS 'family'

This is Kelvin’s life, 7 days a week and 30 days a month, no off day. This is the life he has choosen and dedicated to ever since he join BTS two years ago. Kelvin has always been interested in fitness but never practice martial arts before BTS. Consider a late comer at age 26 when he started training but due to his passion and the hardwork he put in he is able to improve fast and has won in Sabah BJJ Open, Sabah State boxing, K1 Kickboxing & Mata Leao grappling in Fight Fest and MIMMA.

Tonight, 30 JUL 2016 will see Kelvin representing Malaysia in his pro MMA debut against This is a fight in World Series of Fighting Global Championship 3 (WSOF GC), happening in Smart Araneta Coliseum Manila, where the late boxing legend Mohamad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in 1975.

WSOF GC focus on the international development of combat sports of the WSOF brand. WSOF GC-3 will have 10 bouts headed by the main card of Evgeny Erokin of Russia vs USA’s Richard Odoms. Having 5 Pinoy on the cards will be featured as Philipinos vs the world and Kelvin will face one of them - Jessdan dela Pena. He is a matchmaker for UnderGround Battle (UGB), a Philipine base MMA promotion and this is his 2nd fight after a loss in March this year at UGB 14.

Kelvin took this fight at a month notice, but at BTS, coach AJ’s philosophy is to always train and be prepared - always learning and improving, so when a fight comes along, his team can focus and fine tune and they will be ready.

Kelvin will be fighting at Lightweight. ( at the time of writing, Kelvin has made weight but Jessdan was over by around 8 pounds ), but the fight is still on, 

“ I am excited! I train hard daily, I have been waiting for an opportunity like this fight with WSOF Global! This is huge - I really feel honoured and cannot wait to bring it in this cage tonight!”

On how he feel to be challenging a Pinoy in their home ground?
“I am ok with it. I go into the cage not for the fame, or fans, but for myself, for BTS (my team), my family, Sabah and Malaysia. I don't care if the audience boos me because I am fighting a local Philippino, really it is my opponent that is under the real pressure.”

Ask about his crazy schedule daily, Kelvin has this to say, 

“I train like this EVERY DAY ALL year round - I also work EVERY DAY, no days off. It is not easy, but I want it and I work for it. Some people see me smiling in the gym or on facebook, and I love my life, but there are some serious sacrifices behind the scenes that people never see. I think to be successful, you need to put in the hard work, be disciplined and focused. Many people see the fame and glamour and want it without working for it. I see the athletes and the fights and I don't want the fame, I love the journey - I want to train and compete - simple as that.”

Dr Audrey Laura is Kelvin's team mate. She's a pro fighter and also has a hectic schedule being a doctor in the emergency unit of Kota Kinabalu Queen Elizabeth Hospital. But even she feels that Kelvin’s daily routine is crazier and more packed than hers, but despite that, she says he still shows up and give his all during training. She describe Kelvin as a dedicated, disciplined and determined person.

“ He is my source of energy. Whenever I feel tired or feel like giving up but when I think of Kelvin…he motivates me to keep going. His passion drives me forward.”

She look up to him as a big brother and love the sincerity and humbleness that Kelvin has.

“ Kelvin is a gentleman who probably won’t talk much to a stranger but once he is comfortable with you, he just cant stop talking”

Kelvin and his BTS team mate, Tira (L) and Dr Audrey (R) literally supporting him for his WSOFGC fight

Beffiting his quiet personality , AJ gave Kelvin the nick name 'ICE MAN'. Not just because Kelvin don't talk much, but also to portray's Kelvin's fighting style...like an assasin, cool as ice...the noise will not come from his mouth but will be from his fist impacting his opponent's face.

Proudly representing Malaysia in Philipines vs the World. With Emily Barner BTS General manager and Coach AJ Pyro BTS's head Coach and founder

Kelvin at his stall in LIDO market..." Mom I will make you proud!"

Keanu Subba - Back to the Fight!

2 July 2016. 22 years old Malaysian Keanu Subba will step on to Hefei Olympic Sports Center in China. He will be challenging China’s raising star Li Kai Wen in a featherweight match for ONE: Dynasty of Champion.

Keanu wears his walk-out tees with “Kaatar Hunnu Bhanda Marnu Ramro”, these words blaze across the logo that carries two Kukri knifes criss crossing in the middle. Keanu explains that the motto stands for: Better to Die Than be a Coward. Which sums ups the warrior spirit of the legendary Gurkhas soldiers.

Pix credits: ONE Championship poster & YK Tang Photography

This is what Keanu live by. Proud of his Nepalese heritage from his father side, Keanu is the younger brother of Gianni, from the Subba siblings. Both of them fight in ONE Championship, the powerhouse MMA organization in Asia.

Born in Hawaii to a Nepalese father and Chinese Malaysian mother, he grew up in Kuala Lumpur and attended SJKC Lai Chee for Primary school and Sekolah Sri Bestari before moving to the USA for high school. There his father encouraged the two sons to learn TaeKwon-Do. Keanu also kept himself active by dabbling into rugby and Krav Maga.

He was already interested in MMA when he watched the 1st season of UFC: The Ultimate Fighter, way back in 2005. Idolizing the winner, who is now UFC veteran Diego Sanchez.

Back in Malaysia, he joined TNT Kickboxing and learned from Master Khoo Meng Yang. His competitive nature eventually led him to join F3 Freestyle Fighting in 2011 in a fight which he lost to AJ Pyro. He continued training in Kambiz Warrior for striking and learned BJJ from Samir Mrabet. The following year he won a fight in Malaysian Fighting Championship, but those were the early cowboys days of MMA in Malaysia where most matches were not sanctioned and regulated properly.

The real journey actually began for him in 2013; Under the tutelage of American wrestler Matt Pellino at Muayfit, Keanu joined the 1st MIMMA (Malaysian Invasion MMA). In the final against Muhammad Ikram, he won the featherweight belt by KO in round 1 with an explosive display of punches.

Achieveing the pinnacle of Malaysia amateur MMA as MIMMA 1 & 2 Featherweight Champion

In 2014, together with other MIMMA champion he represented Malaysia for IMMAF (International MMA Federation) World Championship. Collecting a win and a loss. In MIMMA season 2 with more fight experience and continued improvement under Matt plus the stint in Tiger Muay Thai, he defended his belt; again by way of TKO with a volley of punches in round 1 against Joshua Khiew.

with the other MIMMA1 Champions representing Malaysia to IMMAF 2014 World Championship. 

Defending his featherweight belt in MIMMA2

with  his wrestling and MMA coach Matt Pellino

Eventually the offer came from ONE Championship for him to turn pro. Oct 2015, ONE: Tigers of Asia, Keanu enters the ONE’s oval cage vs French, fighter - Florian Garel. Perhaps nervous on his debut, Keanu was taken down two times and misses on a few strikes combo, but as the minutes goes by Keanu picked up steam and with one minute left on the clock, executed a trip, mounted Florian and rained ground and pound. Then he followed with some nasty sharp kukri like elbows. The referee stopped the fight just 10 seconds from the belt in round 1.

Victorious in his 1st pro fight vs Florian Garel. Pix credits: YK Tang Photography

In the same night, his brother Gianni whom already had 6 fights in ONE, was also victorious against Brazilian Almiro Barros. As an elder brother with more fight experience, Gianni has been instrumental in guiding and helping Keanu develop as a fighter. They enjoy discussing and analyzing fights and of course training and testing out new techniques together.

with brother and mentor Gianni Subba

For their parents, having two sons whom choose to have MMA as a career was not easy in the beginning. They were rather tentative at first because they do not like to see her sons getting hurt. But Papa Subba sees that his sons are really passionate and have a great potential to excel in this field and eventually supported them fully. He had to do the convincing to his wife for his sons.

with papa Subba, giving his two sons his blessings and full support in their fight career

Keanu 2nd pro fight was against ex Malaysian Karate champion Rayner Kinsiong of Team Karabaw Sabah. They met in the cage in Jan 2016 at ONE: Clash of Heroes. Definitely looking more confident the 2nd time around, Keanu uses his range to control the fight. Ducking under Rayner’s punch, Keanu shoots in and got a take down with a leg trip. In Rayner’s half guard, Keanu was still able to strike down with elbows and punches and earn himself another TKO win.

en route to his 2nd win in ONE Championship vs Rayner Kinsiong

As he was on a roll, Christian Lee of Singapore was also making wave, winning 3 times in the Oval cage...the clash of these two young stalwarts was planned for Mac 2016 at ONE: Union of Warriors. Keanu was really psyche up and trained hard for this fight. But unfortunately injured his elbow and had to pull out. Keanu was replaced by Anthony Engelan whom Christian defeated by TKO.

As a pro fighter, Keanu knows that a fighter’s down time is a bane. Diligently he went to therapy and do light training, in time he was able to heal quickly and got the doctor’s green light to fight again. Come this Saturday, Keanu’s journey towards MMA glory continue as he faces China’s featherweight tournament champion, Li Kai Wen.

Warriors of Borneo managed to catch Keanu out of his hectic training schedule in Bali Muaythai & MMA for a short interview.

How is your arm? Completely healed? how long did you had to rest before going training again?
My elbow is about 70-80 percent healed it still bugs me here and there but I have to live with it. Initially 6 months but thanks to the professional team at TheKL Skyclinic and Lifestyle Chiropractor I was back in training in 2 and a half months.

getting the best treatmement at The KL Sky Clinic

Subba brothers with Mr JC Lim owner of LifeStyle Chiropractic (next to Gianni) & Dr Ivan (next to Keanu) , 
who specially treat MMA athletes.

As a pro fighter...are you able to make a living ? Do you have to take up other job?
It depends what shows you're fighting for. ONE Championship pays better than the rest in South East Asia . It's tough but with each fight you get more money so it only gets easier.



How long is your fight camp in Bali for this fight?
3 weeks fight camp short notice but no excuses!

During the fight camp how often do you go back to Malaysia?
I go back every month for a week.


What is the best part of life you like about Malaysia?
Spending time with family and girlfriend and friends for sure.

What is your favourite Malaysian food?
Nasi lemak ayam rendang, fish head noodle soup, curry laksa, char keow teow, the list is endless!

What is the food like during training in Bali? -What is your fav cheat meal there in Bali?
I eat really clean during fight camp high on good fats and good carbs with good protein and strictly no carbs at night.
Favorite cheat meal is definitely a huge burrito from Taco Casa.


Do you consider yourself a balance fighter? Which aspect of the game you would like to see more improvement?
I consider myself pretty well rounded but I have so much more to learn. The learning and growth is endless.

Pix credits: YK Tang Photography

After the cancel fight with Christian, he has gone on to win 3 fights with finishes, would you think this fight with Li Kai Wen tougher than facing Christian?
It's a different fight. Christian has better grappling while Li Kai wen has better wrestling. They're both good in their own ways .

Your fight vs Rayner was in a catchweight close to welterweight, you are going back to feather now...is this your natural weight?
Definitely I felt really slow my last fight. I'm definitely more comfortable at 70.3 walk around weight.

Li Kai Wen looks like a heavy hitter, what will be you strategy going into this fight?
You'll just have to wait and see in China!

The media present you as a shy and quiet person...what is the real Keanu like?
I like to observe and get to know people better before I open up more. I like to remain calm and respectful to everyone but at the same time cautious with how I deal with different individuals.

Pix credits: YK Tang Photography

How do you cope with the media attention when u were successful in MIMMA?
It was tough at first because I'm not really good with my words but eventually I got the hang of it.

Who do you see have the most potential in the current MIMMA pool?
Theeban has a really unique style much like Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Lyoto Machida. He just needs to get more loose and use his Karate more. Hui Keng Fai has beautiful timing on his punches and slick grappling skills. I can see them winning this year for sure.

Theeban ( L ) and Hui Keng Fai ( R). Pix credits: YK Tang Photography

Malaysia already has MIMMA, touted as the best amateur tournament in Asia if not the world, what else do you see that Malaysia need to move forward in MMA?
TuneTalk/Jason Lo definitely changed Malaysian MMA forever. I would say we need more experienced MMA coaches and more cross training among fighters. It would also be ideal to have a rule where you would have to have at least 5 amateur wins before you're allowed to turn Pro.

What type of music do you listen to? What kinda music motivate u when you train?
Reggae, Tibetan music, and some motivational music videos.

What is your idea of chillin’ when u take a break from training?
Definitely spending time and catching up with my girlfriend and family.

Do you think ONE with the Global Rules set present a more dangerous fights compare to UFC Unified Rules Set?
The Global rule set is definitely more like a real life fight situation. You can't just lay on your back and chill. You got guys trying to kick your head off so I would say that it's more realistic.

Coming from a Nepalese & Chinese parentage, do you have any particular pre fight habits or taboo?
Not really, I just believe that I've put all the hard work in and I just have to go out there and perform. 

Who is your favorite fighter? and why?
Gianni Subba. Because he's my brother and I can relate a lot to his style.




Thank you very much for your time Keanu. Wishing you all the best in China!