BRINGING BACK PYROMANIA!

AJ proudly wears his fight shorts that has bears the unique design of Sabah's Borneo native of Bajau & Dusun 

It's been around 3 years since Lias Mansor last MMA fight. What a fight that was in Nov 2013. Lias or more fondly called AJ by his friends fought Melvin Yeoh, Malaysia's pioneer in MMA in ONE CHAMPIONSHIP : WARRIOR SPIRIT. He overcame Melvin with an unanimous decision win and became ONE's Malaysia National Featherweight Champion.

It was sweet victory as prior to that, in Feb 2013, AJ lost to fellow Muaythai specialist, Jian Kai Chee. It was a controversial decision lost as AJ was dominating Jian in the 3 round fight with effective take down, superior cage control and better ground game.

AJ vs Jian

AJ vs Melvin Yeoh

The fight with Melvin was offered to AJ as Jian was not able to take the fight. That win as Malaysia Featherweight Champion became the hi-light of AJ's sports career and AJ made it more memorable and meaningful when he donated his winnings to the victims of typhoon Haiyan of Philipines.

Receiving his featherweigh trophy from Victor Cui. ( pix by Justinng Photography )

AJ is from Sabah, the Malaysian state at northern Borneo. His sports life  started since his school days. He took up Silat and became national champion. He also took up rugby and played actively in the national team.

After winning the featherweight title, AJ focused on his team Borneo Tribal Squad (BTS). He pour his focus and attention to the many great prospect in the team he founded with his wife Emily Barner in 2008.

Coaching Hisyam Samsudin to winning the WBF Asia Pac Boxing belt. At left is Ann Osman

BTS has produced many high caliber warriors. Among them Ann 'Athena' Osman, whom is certainly a big name in the region as pioneer of female MMA in Asia. BTS is also home to other professional fighter such as Saharuddin Hamsah, Kelvin Ong, Audrey Laura and Tira Tatiana.

While coaching and developing his team, AJ himself never stop training and improving. Teaching is something that comes naturally for him, coming from the background as a school teacher in his early working life. As for his personal development and conditioning, he regularly participate in grappling competition around the region, actively spar with his team and played rugby regularly.

Come this Saturday 14 Jan, AJ will be back into the MMA cage. His fight name is Pyro, and you can bet plenty of fireworks will be seen as he face Indonesian prospect Anthony Engelan.

Warriors of Borneo is honored that in AJ's pack schedule of fight preparation & media commitment for ONE, he was able to grant me an interview.

Your last fight was when you won the ONE FC Malaysia National Featherweight title. What motivates you to take up this fight in Jakarta after a 3 years hiatus?
As a martial artist, I am always learning and always training. I have also always been a competitive athlete. So this opportunity came up and I feel good, in shape. It is a great challenge and I wanted to seize it!

AJ is always in shape...eveready for action

After your competitive MMA days in 2011-2013, you have been focusing on developing your BTS fighters, so how does it feel to be back in fight camp yourself preparing for your own fight?
It's exciting!! I have been coaching, preparing my fighters for fights since my retirement in 2013, and now I am coming back as the fighter, so the process is unique and interesting.

You always look lean & ripped even when off season...what is your training philosophy? Can you share with us what kind of diet do you follow when off season?
I am into martial arts, and this encourages you to live and eat healthily - not just train. So even 'off season' I believe in staying healthy, training daily, eating clean and if I indulge it is in moderation. My diet...stay away from sugar!

In AJ's corner in Jakarta will be Adrian Tham, fellow Sabahan and Jesselton Fight League Champion

Few years back in MENSHEALTH interview you consider yourself a striker, with your growth in BJJ and wrestling...do you still consider yourself one?
Yes. But I am well-rounded now - this is the main goal as an MMA fighter to be proficient in both striking and grappling.

MMA is such a impactful and demanding sports...at age 42 how do you keep up physically? Does diet/supplement and yoga plays a huge part in your training and maintenance? 
What about the mental aspect?
Mental strength is the key. Desire and discipline are important. As mentioned, I live a healthy life daily - this is important to me, my passion to train daily, eat clean, and encourage others to be healthy. By most people's standards I should have 'expired' as a 42-year old athlete, yet I am still kicking ass!

Going into this fight,.do you still train at the intensity level as compare to 3 years ago?
I have been training hard even off season. Then close to the fight, I train smart.

Outside of martial arts, you still compete in rugby, tell us what about rugby that makes you indulge in this sport so passionately since your school days?
It's in my blood! I feel great satisfaction from rugby as it tests you as a person mentally and physically. It is a real man's game. Plus it's a team sport - where you get to train and play together. A bit different from MMA, where you train together but fight alone in the cage!

You have been doing a lot of volunteering in SPCA KK & also have adopted a cat in BTS...tell us about this part of your personality. What do you see in the animals that makes you wanna help out at SPCA?

I just love animals, and always have been since I was a small child. I used to take home stray animals when I was a kid and hide them because my mom would get upset - not because she didn't like them but because we couldn't afford to feed them. 

Now I have adopted 3 stray cats. And going to SPCA is another way for me to help these animals who all deserve love and safety. I encourage more people to help volunteer as well as to give a stray a caring, loving, safe home! #adoptdontbuy

You will be the only Malaysian in ONE : QUEST FOR POWER, vs Anthony Engelen at his home crowd in Jakarta, are you worry about cage rust? What kind of pressure do you feel and how you cope with it?
I have no pressure. I think my experience helps a lot. In fact, I am really excited to come to Jakarta to fight and get the win!

Judging from Anthony's past fights, he stands & trades to get close to use his grappling, ...How do you think your fight with Anthony will go?
I am an all rounded fighter, so I am comfortable wherever he wants to go.

Anthony Engelan will be facing AJ on Saturday in the ONE cage

Will you use this fight to kick start your career again? Will this be a beginning of the 2nd coming of Pyro?
I have never left! I have been a martial artist since I was a child - martial artists never stop learning, ever. I have always been training whether or not I have a fight. I have continued to stay active while I have been developing new athletes (fighters).

I have still been competing around the region in a variety of sports including BJJ - so maybe you haven't seen me in the cage, but I have never stopped and I cannot wait for this upcoming match - I have never felt more ready physically and mentally!

You seems to be always training, even when on holidays...What type of music gets you going during workout how do you unwind? How do you unwind ? What type of music or activities relaxes you?
I listen to everything! One of my favourite ways to relax is to go to the cinema! I love watching movies!!

AJ also skate to unwind and relax

I know its no fun talking about food while you in the last phase of cutting weight, but as a Sabahan, what is your favorite local food ?
Ikan masak ampap is my favourite local dish

What about favorite cheat day food?

Favourite cheat day food is carbonara pasta and waffles!!!

?? Choices, choices,...which shall I go for?

Where is your favorite place to hang out in Sabah?
Anywhere we can enjoy the beach & sunset!

Rolling in front of Kota Kinabalu's scenic beach

One of AJ's favourite spot, hanging out from his condo with his wife Emily where they have a great seaview

Anything you wanna say to Anthony?
I am going to get you!

The Sabahan spartan will unleash Pyromania in Jakarta. Warriors of Borneo wishes AJ a successful fight!

Birth of TFC : Thailand Fighting Championship

Thailand, the birthplace of Muaythai used to be a tough market for MMA to penetrate. Muaythai reign supreme due to its historical and heritage significant. But the growth of MMA in fact further elevate Muaythai status as the best striking martial arts there is in this planet.

The popularity of MMA as the fastest growing sports in the world has brought fourth the prominence of Muaythai. As a MMA warrior, your arsenal is definitely lacking if you do not armed yourself with Muaythai skills. With this, the popularity of Muaythai camps sees a great increase in athletes coming to acquire Muaythai skills, especially the ones in Phuket.

DARE was the pioneer in Thailand for MMA events, back in June 2011, two months even before Asia's current leading MMA promotion ONE Championship had their first ever event in Singapore. DARE started the concept of MMA fights inside a nightclub.

After 2013 DARE went quiet, seeing that the demand is still there, the charismatic Jon Nutt founded Full Metal Dojo to filled this void. FMD's first event was in Seduction Club Phuket.
Since then, FMD has successfully held 12 shows. FMD did a fabulous job carving a niche market of presenting live fights mixed with the dizzying night live of Thailand.

In the short time of 5 years from it's birth in 2011, ONE Championship trully grow to became an Asian giant in this sports. More and more Thais fight fans began to understand MMA and wanted to watch live events. It was in May 2016, that ONE finally able to organised a show in Thailand, with ONE: KINGDOM of CHAMPIONS.

It was a huge success for ONE at the birthplace of it's chairman Chatri Sityodtong. Combining live rock music with live MMA actions in Impact Arena Bangkok. I believe the acceptance of the Thai crowds to this concept certainly had to do with the work of what FMD has done to build this market.

But it looks like Thailand MMA scene will grow further, come 18 Jan 2017, Bangkok will see the birth of Thailand Fighting Championship. Going to held it's first event at Build Factory, the biggest and most popular night club in Khao Lak, 80km north of Phuket.

8 pro bouts has been schedule to go down starting at 4pm

Fight 1: Welterweight 77kg - Iceland - Sigurgeir Heiðarsson vs Egypt - Amr ElGohary

Fight 2: Bantamweight 61kg - Costa Rica - Emilio Angulo vs Iran - Mohammadali Amiri

Fight 3: Featherweight 66kg - Malaysia - Hanif Zainal vs Iran - Mazista Monjezi

Fight 4: Bantamweight 61kg - Thailand - Sanan Nonglek vs Thailand - Jaktan Tangjan

Fight 5: Flyweight 57kg - Thailand - Pinuy Nuison vs Thailand - Weerayuth "The Monkey King" Pinyoporn

Co-Main Event 

Fight 6: Flyweight 57kg - Philippines - Biondi Dayangadang vs Thailand - Wisawa King Kaveevaragorn

Main Event 

Fight 7: Flyweight 57kg - USA - Alex Schild vs Malaysia - Mohd Zakhir

The battle field for these MMA warriors will be in a ring rather than a cage and will follow the Unified Rules set used by UFC with 1 exception, knees are allowed at all time even to the head. This will certainly up the ante for action as fighters will not be able to take a breather by touching one hand on the ground to be deemed ground, preventing himself by being knee by his opponent as we often see in UFC fights. ( but UFC has changed this rules in 2017 )

According to Will Chope , Thailand Fighting Championship - TFC goal is to give local Thai fighters and locally based foreign competitors a professionally marketed MMA event to showcase their skills and continue onward to greater, more international stages.

Will Chope is no stranger to the fight scene in Asia. He was a ex UFC featherweight and the current URCC Lightweight Champion. Will is touted as the most busiest fighter in world, but for TFC he is playing the role of matchmaker. 

Will is base in Thailand and is very active in the fight circuit of Asia. He has travel extensively in Asia and has met many coaches and fighters around the region. He took up this role as he wants to help promote potential fighters, give them an avenue to turn pro and gain valuable experience before breaking into the big league.

He is going to be busy as TFC has 4 events planned for 2017. Will is also task with promoting TFC on the social media. Ask on the difference between Asia MMA promotions as compare to western organisation such as UFC, Bellator & WSOF, WIll has this to say,
" On a entertainment level I think Asia is better, The walk outs the promo videos, the atmosphere in the stadiums is way better entertainment wise. The rule sets in Asia, the fighters story lines, the region is way more electrifying on a entertainment level than their western counterpart. But of course if you want to see the best vs the best, UFC is still the benchmark"

Two Malaysian will be featured in TFC cards. Hanif Zainal at featherweight and Mohd Zakhir at Flyweight.

Hanif Zainal

At Featherweight, Hanif Zainal of Combat 360X will fight Iranian Benham Monjezi  of AKA Thailand. Hanif has a record of 6-5-1. He is an engineering student with lots of fight experience. He has been active since the early days of Malaysian MMA, fighting in Malaysia Fighting Championship, Ultimate Beatdown and Legend FC.

Hanif last MMA fight was in the Australian HEX Fight Series 5, in Feb 2016 where he lost by TKO in round 2. He is eager to get back into winning ways by dominating Mazista Monjezi.

It is certainly great to see another fellow Malaysian Mohd Zakhir being featured in TFC's. To have him featured in the main event of the night surely shows how far Malaysian MMA has progress.

Zakhir has a 3-2-0 record and most recently in MIMMA4 last year faced flyweight veteran from Sabah, Eddey Kalai. Zakhir lost to him in a 3 round decision.

In Christmas day last year, Zakhir was the semi-finalist in ONE Silat Championship's flyweight category. (ONE Silat is a pro Silat championship bout with rules set similar to MMA). He lost to Rabin Sornito of Philipines. After a close first round...
" I lost via decision. My plan was to go aggressive on the 2nd round but Catalan got my ribs pretty hard which threw me off my game plan. All in all it was a good fight and at the end of the three rounds, I still had 30% gas in my tank left."

These losses is not dampening Zakhir's spirit. Being an experience sportsman since young, Zakhir has a positive attitude. He knows losses are temporary as he pick up valuable learning from each one to improve himself.

Zakhir in action in MIMMA4. ( pix by YK Tang )

At 24 this year, this Shah Alam lad started his sporting life early with competitive swimming when he was 8. He became so good at it, eventually became a national swimmer during his school years. Ever since then, Zakhir has always been competitive in any sports he dive into.

As fitness became the way of life for him, he decided to do it for a living by working in gym, coaching fitness. As MMA conditioning is one of the most grueling training an athlete can do, as he delve into it, Zakhir eventually became a MMA fighter.

His first competition was done without the consent of his family as they perceive MMA as a violent sports. But after his second fight which he won, bringing home the trophy, he was able to convert his family's thinking towards the sports and they are now his biggest fans.

Zakhir with his UMF team mates

Aside from MMA, Zakhir is also an avid golfer and plays dart to relax. This type of activities certainly builds his mental strength by being calm and patient. He will need all of this as he is facing his opponent Alex Schild in Alex's adopted home. Thai crowd can be very intimidating and Alex is a well known figure in the local martial arts scene. But Zakhir is confident and is preparing himself to produce an upset.

Fighting out of Ultimate Malaysia Fighter, Zakhir just got married last September. As for what motivates him...
"The endless support from my family, wife, coaches and mates motivate me to fight harder and better while my passion and competitiveness always provides me the thirst for more action."

Zakhir's opponent is American Alex Schild. He is a BJJ instructor in the fame Tiger Muay Thai (TMT) in Phuket.  Alex is coming into TFC after a 2 fight losing streak. From WSOF Global 1 in 2015 and recently in Beijing promotion Bullet Fly FC. When not competing in MMA, Alex keep himself busy running BJJ classes in BJJ and actively fight Muaythai in the local circuits.

He is excited and honoured to be in the main card in TFC and he feels that fighting in his second home in Thailand certainly motivates him to win. Alex has world class BJJ skills but also has build himself to be well rounded MMA athlete by his mentor Roger Huerta, whom is a ex UFC veteran and now fights in ONE Championship. Alex also polishes his MMA skills by regularly training with many world class athletes that drops by in TMT. 

When not coaching in TMT, Alex spends his time exploring the many wonderful places around Phuket and Thailand. Alex also founded and runs Sabai Gi, A brand that markets BJJ gi and apparels.

Thailand Fighting Championship will be live in their Facebook. Do follow them in their FB, or better yet get yourself to Khao Lak's best entertainment venue - Build Factory to catch great MMA actions from emerging fighters in this region.

BAC 3 : ELTO & LIYANA WINS THE JY CUP

Borneo's martial arts scene was closed with some kicking action in Labuan. The Borneo Amateur Challenge 3 was successfully organised by Borneo Combat Gym Labuan (BCG) on 17 DEC 2016.

16 teams from Labuan, Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Tamparuli, Miri, Brunei and Kuala Lumpur took part in this event which offered 11 categories for K1 amateur fights, 3 categories for MMA amateur and 2 categories for K1 semi pro fights. 

And the main event was for JY Cup for the Male Super 4 and the Female Super Fight. This Cup was offered to honour the memory of BCG's co-founder Joseph Yew. Read about this in my previous post (click here)

Borneo Combat Gym Labuan grabbed overall team champion with 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze and the Male Super 4 Champion JY Cup 

 

Elto Jai from Borneo Combat Gym Labuan fought through 3 exciting rounds to win his debut Super 4 semi pro K1 fight against PG Mohd Dinie from 018 MMA Gym Brunei.

Earlier on, Elto beat Morris Hii from D-30, Miri while PG Mohd Dinie won his fight against Writh Kataposan from KMMA.

Super 4 participants.

Elto or known by his fight name “Baby Pacquiao” felt a sense of fulfillment in his victory here in Labuan. Never did he imagine that his passion for martial arts since his childhood days will come down to this memorable achievement for him. 

Elto receiving the JY Cup from Ms Julia, the late Joseph Yew's wife

As a migrant worker in the F&B industry in Labuan for the pass 7 years, far away from his home in Zamboanga, Philipines  he is most thankful to his coach Alvin Chong whom has given him the opportunity to train at BCG and help him in his martial art growth.

Elto improved his K1 Kickboxing record to 4 wins.

As for silver medalist Mohd Dinie, he said participating in BAC3 really gave him valuable experience. He will go back to evaluate his weakness and promise to return stronger in 2017.

Dinie works at Royal Brunei airlines. According to Brunei's 018 Martial Arts Academy owner, Adey initially Dinie enrolled with the objective of improving his fitness only. But eventually his interest was roused when the academy regularly send their fighters to compete. He competed in his 1st Kickboxing match in BAC2.

Adey believe this lost in the Super 4 final will motivate Dinie stronger because he finds Dinie a well focused person, very humble and respectful to everyone. 

"As a coach I personally look at the personality first, rather than the talent. Dinie is a fighter who listens to me very well and accept the advice from me in order to make him improve more. He is an eager person who wants to train and seek improvements. His honest and humble personality has led me to put my trust in him, where currently he is one of my assistants in helping me to take the Kickboxing classes in the gym. Therefore, as a coach, I think the personality is the most important key in building their future whether as a fighter or not, and I do think talents comes second"

Adey, 018 Martial Arts Academy owner

In much anticipated Super Fight Female K1, Liyana from TNT Hartamas KL defeated Cindy Martin from Borneo Combat Gym Labuan.

Liyana or Li as she is fondly called by her friends is from KL and of Indian and Chinese heritage. Ask on how she felt after winning the JY Cup,

"I am really happy that I won. I was not thinking so much about winning or losing but more on performance. Cindy is tough, hard to break and came out strong in the first round so I wanted to make it as difficult as I could for her to beat me in the next round. Kien, Alyson and Tasha my cornermen really pushed me and showed so much belief in me, I have to thank them for bringing out the fighter in me!"

Sports has been a large part of her life as since 5 years old she already started playing tennis. She love competing and this is her motivation to train harder each day.

Martial arts is relatively new to her. She joined TNT Kickboxing after a friend encourage her to come along and her initial reason was just to lose weight, but her competitive nature hooked her deeper into the fighting arts and it has become her focus now.

Only at 23 this year, Liyana felt she still have a lot to learn and she is still developing her own fighting style through the guidance of her coach Alex Lim

"Winning the super fight has given me a little more confidence in myself and convinced me to continue fighting. And I hope to for as long as I can. For now my focus would be on kickboxing but I am open to try other styles eventually.

Asked on what she think of BAC
"I believe that this is the first time that BCG organized a Super fight/ Super 4 tournament and it was particularly meaningful as it was held in honor of the late Joseph Yew. I am happy to have been able to participate and honor the man that has contributed a lot to the Labuan fight scene and community as a whole.

The event went smoothly and was well organized. I hope to be back again next year!

Do u get to go around Labuan? What do you think of the place?

"It is nice to be able to wake up early run around the harbour as the sunrises. Together with my friends and fellow fighters we also visited some of the islands nearby and ate fish head soup for breakfast everyday!

This is my first time in Labuan actually. If it was not for the fight event and Alvin from BCG it might have never crossed my mind to come!

The event organised by BCG Labuan is proudly sponsored by Amnig, Dutch Lady, BoxxTomoi, Regus, Welson Aerialvideography, Perdana Cineplex, AS, Power Root, Fight Fest, One Stop Duty Free, Loong Fish Head and Mr Dicky Ng.

BAC is a platform for amateur athletes to demonstrate their talent and skills in martial arts and, as well to showcase their good sportsmanship. 2017 will be a hectic year as founder Alvin Chong has 3 events planned. BAC 4 in March 2017, BAC 5 in August 2017 and ISKA K1 National Championship in December 2017. 

Much planning has been put in place to ensure the national championship will be a success as BCG look to work closely with Labuan tourism authority to ensure participants that travel to Labuan will get the best experience and memory on what Labuan have to offer.

This will be the 1st time in history for a national level K1 Kickboxing to be organised in Malaysia. Alvin wants Borneo to lead in terms of talent pool through BAC and the other ISKA sanctions event in Sabah such as STAND & FIGHT FEST.

BAC3 also saw the continuation of the mission to produce more qualified Kickboxing and MMA referee. This time three attended the ISKA K1 & MMA Referees Course on Dec 16. It was conducted by Master Khoo Meng Yang, who is the South East Asia ISKA representative.