Happy National Day 2015

Art by RED HONG YI

In this 31st AUG 2015, sharing with you an art piece by RED HONG YI, a fellow Sabahan...that has achieved international stardom through her amazing art pieces which is created not using paint brush but by creatively using unconventional everyday materials.

In this piece above for Malaysia's national day 2015, Red aptly uses the colour yellow to represent the hope and the struggle of the people and quoted lyrics from Coldplay ....

"Look at the stars, look how they shine for you. And everything you do, yeah they were all yellow"

Wishing you all Happy National Day.
May we all have the warrior spirit to fight for our rights.
To live in peace, harmony and unity! Together we are strong.
God bless Malaysia!

SABAH OPEN BJJ & SUBMISSION GRAPPLING TOURNAMENT

History in the making this weekend of 22-23 Aug 2015. The 1st Sabah Open BJJ & Submission Grappling Tournament will be held at Likas Indoor Stadium, Kota Kinabalu Sabah.

Sabah Open BJJ ( Brazilian Jiu-JitSu ) is held as part of a bigger event - Sabah Fitness Festival,...which will feature their main event of  X45 Cross Fit Challenge.

Sabah Open BJJ is the brainchild of Allen Solomon Chong. He is the pioneer of BJJ in Borneo. Allen had a typical background in martial arts. In his school days, his dad teaches him TaeKwondo, he then progress to Karate. In Australia when pursuing his architectural degree in Deakin University, he had the opportunity to see BJJ up close. John Will, the veteran martial artist who introduce the Machado system of BJJ to Australia teaches in Geelong, where Allen's Uni is.
Allen was curious about BJJ. He had heard about it from watching UFC in the web. " What is this martial art that can submit people and make striker looks silly? " Once in it he was hooked!

Returning to his home in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Allen was eager to share his passion of BJJ with Sabahan. Forming BJJ Borneo club, he & his friends was training in the early days of 2008 in YMCA Damai. The popularity of UFC, Bellator, Pride sees a huge growth in MMA....and you can't do MMA without knowledge of grappling & submission, which BJJ is the top martial art in this category.

BJJ Borneo classes in the early days of 2008 at YMCA Damai

Allen's aspiration is that Sabah being the powerhouse of BJJ in Malaysia, and dream of seing BJJ being competed in SUKMA ( Sukan Malaysia ) one day. He doesn't just dream, he pursue it whole heartedly. Forming an association is the first step in making his dream a reality. But this certainly is not an easy step. But due to his passion for BJJ and the pin point focus on the dream he has, he went through the bureaucracy and red tape. Finally achieved this in the registeration of  "Persatuan BJJ Negeri Sabah" a few years back. It's the only BJJ association in Malaysia at the moment.

Functioning through a sports association allows BJJ to grow in Sabah with the help of Sabah state Ministry of Youth & Sports. The association immediately jump into action by organising Borneo Headhunters BJJ & Submission Challenge. Till 2014 it has run for 4 years and has been the platform to introduce BJJ, unearth new talent and grow the sports in this region. Allen and his team of committe has learn well from organising Borneo Headhunters.

Borneo Headhunters 2014

Hence this year, again with Allen's leadership, "Persatuan BJJ Negeri Sabah" took on a bigger challenge which is Sabah Open BJJ. To date 120 athletes has registered for the Gi & No Gi category making it the biggest BJJ competitions in Malaysia. Medal up for grabs are for 8 Men's weight category, 3 Women's weight, 3 kid's division and for the 1st time a Men's Masters (for 35 and above)

Allen's own team from Alpha MMA will be sending a strong team. Team's from around Sabah & the region such as Valor Martial Arts, Borneo Tribal Squad, Keningau MMA, Karabaw, Busiido Brunei. Participants from other country will also be here , such as from Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Scotland, Taiwan.

Alpha MMA

Alpha MMA

Borneo Tribal Squad

Busiido Brunei

Karabaw

Valor Martial Arts

Keningau MMA

Allen loves to teach. In his Alpha MMA, there's a Youth Development Program that focus on developing the kids and youth to be BJJ champion. Sponsoring them to various tournament around the region to learn & grow their skills. Alpha MMA also regularly bring in foreign coaches to conduct seminar in Sabah to benefit his students and the whole of the martial art community in Sabah.

MMA's popularity fuel the growth of BJJ as more & more martial artist wants to add to their striking with good ground skills. Allen is no stranger to MMA. He has fought in the big league. Being the 1st MIMMA Lightweight Champion in 2013,

MIMMA 2013 Lightweight Champion

Allen was the only South East Asian to be selected during the trial for The Ultimate Fighter China.
Representing Malaysia to IMMAF ( International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) World Championship 2014 and also fought in regional MMA Competition as a Pro in Ultimate Beatdown and MIMMA MMArr.

Allen is one of the Malaysian team member at IMMAF World Championship 2015

At The Ultimate Fighter China - 2013

In BJJ, Allen is continuosly on the journey of learning. Learning from the likes of BJJ elites such as Fernando Maccalero, Leke Machado, UFC fighter Brian Ebersole and Stuart Cooper and also actively competing in BJJ competitions such as Abu Dhabi World Trials, Bangkok Open, Pan Asians, and recently in Indonesian Badass Championship.
Allen is riding on the fitness craze that is currently hitting Sabah. Sabah Fitness Festival (SFF), succesfully organised last year, to Allen, is a great platform to bring BJJ to another level.

" Not everyone likes to be hit on the face, BJJ is the sports version of MMA, why not taking it up train to be fit and learn self defense skills at the same time."

Even though train to fight as an MMA fighter, deep down Allen is a martial artist, he loves BJJ. For the tradition, the discipline and the respect it instill in the practioner.

Working as a full time architect occupies Allen's day time. At night coaching his students at his ALPHA MMA. Leading the organisingn team for Sabah Open BJJ, at times doing intensive training as he prepares for his Pro fights,...responsibilities as a father to his daughter Lana...how he cope all this?  By having great support from his family. Allen felt blessed  that not only is his parents very supportive but he also has a wife that is passionate in martial art like him. Carol is his life partner, herself an accomplished TaeKwonDoist, she helps him in running the gym & also in organising Sabah Open BJJ.

with Carol and baby Lana

Sabah BJJ Open will see the participations of AESTHETIC as a sponsors and MILO as the official beverage sponsors

MILO will provide prizes and drinks to all participants

Catch Ann Osman, representing her team Borneo Tribal Squad - Malaysia's 1st female MMA Pro Fighter in action at Sabah Open BJJ

The home grown Sabahan martial arts superstar

The closing ceremony on Sunday 5pm will be grace by Sabah state Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Hj. Tawfiq and his deputy, YB Masiung Banah.

Come and support this great event, it's free!
You could be witnessing at some future ONE FC or UFC Champion in action here!!!



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Karabaw Invasion at UB-17

This Saturday 15.8.15 will see another invasion from Borneo, this time..... it's the Karabaw-Dihnar Invasion to Ultimate Beatdown -17, in Johor Bahru.

UB is considered the pioneer of MMA competition in Malaysia & is certainly the longest running MMA event in Malaysia
It started in 2009 by Melvin Yeoh, himself an accomplished MuayThai & MMA fighter. Melvin was one of the pioneering Malaysian MMA fighter in ONE FC.

For UB-17, Karabaw-Dihnar team from Sabah Borneo, is  sending in the biggest team. Consist of  8 amatuers MMA fighters , 2 amatuer K1 Fighters & 1 pro MMA.
This team has a mixture of experience & new fighters

Welterweight: Erexy Menuel Madi ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs Goh Xi Jian ( Green Fitness )
Erexy is entrusted by Sensei Rayner Kinsiong as the team leader. Even though the responsibility is heavy looking after the team but Erexy felt honoured & excited to carry out this job successfully. Erexy 1st exposure to martial arts was in school when his father enroll him in TaeKwonDo class.
He has been training in MMA for 7 months, switching from a Muaythai gym to Karabaw, Erexy has a fight record of  (5-1-0) amateur Muaythai, (1-1-0) Pro Muaythai & (1-1-0) in amateur MMA.

Erexy felt comfortable at Karabaw. As he felt that Sensei Rayner is a very experience fighter & impart knowledge to his students generously, which enable him to grow in this sports. Erexy also value the team spirit in Karabaw which Sensei Rayner instill among all of them.

Being a leader is not new to Erexy. He works as a teaching staff in Montfort  Youth Training Center in Kinarut, Sabah. He teaches the technical subject of air-conditioning.

He loves a simple life & is easy to get along with anybody. He also value constructive feedback but despise back stabber.

His favourite techniques...TaekwonDo  back kick & MuayThai low kick.

Erexy Menuel - Team Captain

Women MMA Strawweight :Mardena Maulana ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs Anita Yeo ( Evolve MMA Singapore ) 

Mardeana Maulana - Assistant Team Captain

Featherweight: Davendra Kumar ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs CJ Suhan ( Suicide Squad Malaysia) 

Straweight: Loh Kah Kien ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs Jonathan ( Transform Gym Malaysia )

Welterweight: Masko Franklin ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs Denny Sally ( Sukda Muay Thai, S’pore )

Bantamweight: Clement John ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs Muhd Khairi (team SC S’pore)

Featherweight: Richael Amadius ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs Jun Yeoh 
( Malaysia Evelve MMA )

Rizal Allada ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs Wong Seng Chong ( Transform Gym Malaysia )

Pro card: Jason George ( Karabaw MMA Borneo ) vs Brad Robinson

( but this card was cancel as Brad pull out due to injuries )

Mohd Asmawi  ( Karabaw - KUDA HITAM ) - K1 Fight 67kg

Mohd Rashidin  ( Karabaw - KUDA HITAM ) - K1 Fight 58kg

As one of the leading martial gym in Borneo, Karabaw is lead by head coach Rayner Kinsiong.
Rayner is a Pro MuayThai & MMA Fighter.

His last fight in D1FC Rhino Invasion was a lost to Mikael Sjogren. From there on Rayner devoted himself to coaching & guiding his big pool of talented fighters. He sees many potential talent that can be very successful...and they are very much in need of exposure and this bunch are hungry for a good coach & guidance.

Karabaw is teaming up with Dihnar & Kuda Hitam for UB17. Rayner sees great potential in this group of atheletes he is bringing to UB-17.

" These are hardworking & dedicated boys & girl and I am very proud of them. I want to thank Ir Hj Nazri ( Dihnar Group & Brother Nazim ( Kuda Hitam ) for believing in me & Team Karabaw to lead this team"

Bringing in this big a team incur a lot of cost, food, accomodation and especially flight tickets to Johor Bahru. Any support to help them will really ease the burden of these fighters and enable them to focus on training and putting their hearts in the fight. The more fights these atheletes have, the more experience they will gain, and from there success will follow. Rayner is very thankful to have sponsors that support his vision & dream of making Borneo a powerhouse in MMA & martial arts.

He would like to thank his main sponsors FITNESS CONNECTION & BORNEO MAJUBINA
and also co-Sponsors , DIHNAR GROUP, TOMPINAI PRINTING & TOTAL MEGALINK

Ultimate Beatdown 17, this time will see the first time UB will crown it's first champion. Keith Aiden of Ireland from the fame EVOLVE MMA ( S'pore ) will fight Chaitanya of India for the inaugural Featherweight belt.

UB's founder - Melvin Yeoh said UB has come a long way since 2009 where it was only a small show in the cage in his gym in Johor Bahru. That time there were only 4-5 fights per show. But it was consistent, as they will organise 1 show every 7 weeks. It was more like a gym vs gym at the beginning but as MMA popularity grow, they started to invite gym from Singapore & Kuala Lumpur, and slowly from places further like Borneo & Penang in the north.

According to Melvin, UB17 offers better fight cards, the fighters are of high technical skills & dedication which he is confident will give a good show to the fans that turn up to watch. After 6 years of running, it's only now UB is offering a title shot.

" We don't want the title & belt become like McD Happy meal, so we only offer the fighters in our roaster who has climb up the ladder slowly. There are lots of fighters who jump in and ask us to offer them title shot. ...our answer is ,sorry...you have to climb the ladder."

Melvin is glad that over the years he has many genuine friends, students & his family who has pour out their heart & sweat to help him start, develop & maintain UB till today. Some of them work till 4-5am nearing event day

"I  am trully lucky and touched to have good people around me. UB does not belong to me alone but to all of us."

Melvin Yeoh - Ultimate Beatdown founder

With more MMA / martial arts event coming up around the region, UB remain a prestigious show due to it's history & reputation. And also to it's strategic location in Johor Bahru, which is in the center of South East Asia, making it easy for fighters and fans to travel.
UB is also working with other regional events to plan their fight schedule so that events won't clash. This will enable fighters to also plan their fight & get more exposure.
Mutual respect produce mutual benefit.

Through it's history, UB has produce lots of notable & credible fighters in the region. Names like Hanif Zainal, Fouzein 'Underdog', Jing Yi Chong, Jun Minion, Brad Robinson, Nik Harris, Benedict Ang, Keith Aiden, Nick Lee, Agilan Thani, Major Overall, Edward Kelly are just a few well known names that has fought in UB before.

Warriors of Borneo hopes that Team Karabaw-Dihnar will be successful in their outing and become part of the growing list of great fighters that has come out from UB.

Wishing Team Karabaw-Dihnar all the best. Win or lose is not the ultimate goal, but fight with all your heart, never quit, ...unleash the Karabaw strenght in you & fight hard with your Borneo spirit. Bring glory to Borneo!