Joel and Gloria : The new MMA couple of Sabah

Back in 2015 when I was covering MIMMA3, I met this husband and wife team of Samuel Lai and Rosario Valerian. Samuel reached the Semi-finals stage that year and his wife the quarter-finals. But in the same year, Samuel fought in Jesselton Fight League and was the 1st runner up in lightweight. Rosario fought valiantly to become the Female Champion.

Samuel and Rosario are now taking a break from MMA as both focus on their career and family life. Fast forward to 2017. A new 'fighting' couple emerge from Sabah.

Joel Nickolson and Gloria Isabelle Hoong. Although not married yet, but these two lovebirds are inseperable and has use MMA as a tie to have a closer bond.

Joel first participated in MIMMA in 2016 during season 4. He managed to reached the Semi-finals, losing to eventual Champion Damon Soo. In 2016, he fought in Jesselton Fight League, Borneo Amateur Challenge and Fight Fest.

In MIMMA5, Joel has put his focus on bringing the bantamweight title back to Sabah. He fought 5 times, gaining 21 points. Collecting 3 finishes, 1 decision win and 1 loss.

Ask on his opinion on the MIMMA5 League format, Joel admit it was tiring having to fought almost every month. The fight does not just happen in the cage but also in the strategy and planning as well. That's why knowing that he has enough points to qualify for the semis, he skipped the last two league bouts to conserve energy and to avoid injury.

He is of the opinion that MIMMA can just organise fight events by matching potential fighters rather than having a tournament or league format as the time commitment is rather straining.

Joel will be facing a formidable Dhiaaul Amal today in the MIMMA5 Semi-finals. Dhiaaul is MIMMA4 grand finalist.

This is a rematch. Joel lost to Dhiaaul by decision in his first league match in July last year. He felt that it was the first fight jitters. He managed to have couple of take down, but did not do much damage from top and let Dhiaaul dominate the fight on the feet, gaining points in the third round.

After that lost, his coach, Antonio Battistesa put in a plan for improvement. Both in terms of techniques and mental. Plenty of hours spend at Sabah Top Team drilling techniques and sparring. the results show... by winning 4 match in a rows, with a high light reel finish of Khoo Teck Guan in league 4.

The other semi-finals bouts for Bantamweight is between Sabahan Effendy Kalai and Khoo Teik Guan.

Joel does not feel that his bouts is more challenging. To him, the top 4 in the bantamweight division currently, standard wise are very close.

Coming from a Taekwondo background, he used to like keeping the fight on his feet; but training at with Antonio gave him a lot of exposure in grappling, as Sabah Top Team is the center for Luta Livre in Malaysia. Joel felt he nows favour taking fights to the ground as it's where he can minimise receiving strikes.

Last month, as preparation for the semis he and Gloria was in New Zealand to train with some of the top pro MMA fighters there. It was an experience that gave them tons of learning. They also train with pro fighters from Borneo Tribal Squad and MIMMA4 heavyweight champion Darren Low.

league 4: Joel's brutal KO on Khoo TG

league 1: Joel vs Diaaul

Joel's advise to Gloria;
" Be aggressive. This only takes 9 minutes of your time. So go all out! "

His message to Dhiaaul,
" Good luck, have fun, but this time around...the judge will not be on your side."

league 1: Joel vs Dhiaaul

As for Gloria. This is her first participation in MIMMA.
A Sino-Kadazan from Penampang. Martial arts was not her first sports. Gloria was into rock / sports climbing. In her Uni days in Monash, she was the president of the climbing club and participated in numerous competition.

It was when she's back in Sabah that she took up martial arts. This young lady in her short time training under Antonio in Sabah Top Team has achieved much. STAND 3 K1 - Gold, Sabah Inter-District Muaythai 2016 - Gold, BAC 3 MMA - Gold, BAC4 K1 - Gold, Muay Fight Night 2017 - Gold and most recently Borneo Cup 2017 - Gold. All this won't happened if not for a Groupon voucher she got online. She dragged her friend together to STT for the first class.

It was initially fitness and basic Muaythai for her, but she picked up very fast and began to show good potential. After a few months Antonio signed her up for a kickboxing match in Fight Fest 3. Gloria was reluctant at first as she thinks that she doesn't train enough and was still juggling between her favorite activity of climbing. She lost her first fight. The fear to go back in the ring was there, but to overcome that fear...she deiced to face it head on and decided to joined more fights.

She prefers to keep the fight on the feet but is well prepared to go to the ground from the Luta Livre training Antonio has drilled her with. Gloria puts in hard training daily after her day job in the accounts and finance department of Dekojuta.

In MIMMA5, she fought 4 times. Earning 20 points to qualify for the semi-finals. On MIMMA5's league format, she also thinks that the league fight is too close to each other. Not giving enough time for recovery and improvement on personal skills for athletes. This also pose a big financial challenge for East Malaysian to fly regularly to KL.  

Her fight vs Lee Yin Mun was supposed to happened in league 1, but it did not materialised. But Gloria does notice that her opponent has good explosiveness and always shoot for take down. She said that coach Antonio has really up the level of training for her and Joel in their MIMMA5 journey. She felt in terms of strength and conditioning she also has improve a lot. Things that she couldn't do when she first started MIMMA, now she's able to.

league 4 : Gloria vs Gladys

league 6 : Gloria vs Amirah

She also felt the exposure in MTI and Auckland MMA of New Zealand for her and Joel was definitely a valuable experience that will benefit both of them in their semi-finals bout today.

As half chinese, she usually spends her Chinese New year in her dad's hometown in Ipoh. But this year, as her family went on vacation. She focus on training, even at Chinese New year eve where usually chinese family had their reunion dinner, Gloria was in Sabah Top Team, putting in valuable training time.

Ask on how the Chinese New Year celebration affects her diet. She felt it was not that bad as she usually eats a lot too because of her constant hard training. Chinese New year falling on the weekend was also a blessing as, that's the time she rest anyway. So after the celebration with family, it was back to training for her.

As Joel's partner, Gloria has this advise for him.

" Believe in yourself. Coach has trained you well, it's your own believe in your self now that will catapult you to victory"

 

Joel, Gloria and coach Antonio

Catch Joel and Gloria today at Paradigm Mall for MIMMA5 semi-finals

NATHANIEL LAKAI'S TIME TO SHINE

MIMMA5 Semi-Finals is upon us. 24 FEB at Paradigm Mall.

One of the most exciting division is the Lightweight. This category usually have fighters that is fast pace but at same time packs lots of power.

The best example was the MIMMA4 Grand Finals between jace Law of Sarawak and Hui Keng Fai of Kuala Lumpur. A fight that was fully of non-stop action, both fighters going forward all the time. In my book, the best fight in MIMMA's history so far.

It was to my delight that last year Jace decides to had another go for the Lightweight title in MIMMA5. He fought 4 times, gaining 2 decision win and 2 finishes, giving him 21 points.

Keng Fai also participated but he was rather occupied with his flourishing pro boxing career. He only fought twice in MIMMA5 league format. Both that victory is by finishes, which earned him 19 points ( plus the walkover and withdrawals )

Standing on top of MIMMA5 Lightweight is a newcomer from Miri Sarawak. Nathaniel Imang Lakai of Warmonger Gym. At only 24 this year. He is of mix  ethnics heritage, his dad being a Kelabit and mom Kayan  

Nathaniel first intro to martial arts was when one of his teacher showed him an Aikido move which spark his interest. He went to Kuching to search and found Studio 23. Albert Lim showed him the beauty of Brazilian JiuJitsu, and that's the beginning of his MMA journey.

Nathaniel has a total MMA fight record of 6-1 as of date. To reach this Semi, he fought 4 times. ( 3 wins and 1 loss ). He lost to Jace by decision in League 3. 

It certainly was happy news to me that Nathaniel will fight Jace Law again in the semi. Looking forward to an explosive fight, but again my wish does not come true. Jace has announce his retirement from MIMMA5. 

The rematch that was not meant to be

Which left Nathaniel without an confirm opponent until 3 days ago (21 FEB ) that MIMMA has replaced Jace with Asuad Bin Khalid. Nathaniel last fight was with Asuad, back in Nov and he won by decision.

Warriors of Borneo manage to have a quick catch up with Nathaniel before he flew to KL to weigh-in.

Where did you further your martial arts learning after exposure to BJJ in Kuching?
After BJJ in Kuching, I picked up Muaythai when I moved back to Miri. I ended up in Warmonger because that's the only gym with credibility at that time. Trevor was a big news in Sarawak Muaythai fight scene.

Tell me about Warmonger? You guys look like a tight knit bunch. What's special about Warmonger, the place, the people...and how do you see the scene of MMA in Miri?
In Warmonger it really has that family vibe. The coaches care about you, they really do. We joke around with each other, play pranks,... its all good. 

Then when we train, they push us like we're their own kids. Like how a father would pressure you to study.
MMA scene in miri is not that big yet but there are a couple of young talented guys that we keep an eye on.

A very successful weekend outing to KK's BJJ event ( Copa de Borneo and Sabah Grappling Quest ) for Warmonger From left to right: Nathaniel, Emilia, Nigel

You only lost to Jace so far, how do you feel not able to redeem the lost in a rematch?
No rematch no problem for me. Its a learning process for me. 

I move on and I aim to improve all the time. 

Jace and Nathaniel, two of Sarawak's best MMA exponent

You defeated Asuad in your last fight. How do you feel for this Semi-final meeting him again? Do you see it as an easy match? Do you expect to meet Keng Fai in finals? 

I think it will be an interesting match up. I'm planning to bring something different to this fight and I never consider anyone as an easy match. It would be foolish to underestimate someone in life. 

Keng Fai is going againts Syafiq. I don't really know who is gonna win. Syafiq is a really a dynamic fighter. His kick setups are pretty impressive againts other competitors and he has been in the MIMMA scene for a long time.
Keng Fai is the current champ. A great boxer and a blue belt in BJJ. I'm excited to watch their match as an MMA fan too.

MIMMA5 League 5 - Nathaniel vs Asuad 

MIMMA5 League 5 - Nathaniel vs Asuad 

MIMMA5 League 3 - Nathaniel vs Jace

As an East Malaysian, that you need to travel regularly to KL to fight. how do you feel about MIMMA5 league format?
As an East Malaysian it really helps to have my sponsors, without them supporting me from the back I won't be able to do what I do shout out to KOCHOOKS, CHOMPS, DNNCO, WISEL, RUNR and Nasi Ulam 883

What do you do for a living? What's your plan for your future? 

Is fighting gonna be a career for you?
I'm a warehouse manager at my family's company DNNCO. 

I plan to go pro. Make it to the big scene and still help my family with the business. You'll always need a back up in Malaysia.

Tell us a bit about your family. You and your brother Nigel, who started taking martial arts first? Tell us about your relationship. Your mom seems to be a strong supporter. 

Share with readers your motivation and relationship.
I started taking part in martial arts first, then I forced Nigel to join by anilhiating him at home with simple BJJ moves. 

He has been my training partner ever since. We push each other a lot. 

My mum, she doesn't like me fighting. But I always assured her that I'm training really hard so I won't get beaten up too bad. She really is my biggest supporter ever since I started doing sports. I think parents who get behind their kids can really make a difference in performance, who else is there to support you?

So for me every time I enter the cage and about to rip someone's heads off I think of my family, friends, sponsors and how I wouldn't want to let them down. 

Nathaniel & Nigel working on their ground game

How do you chill in Miri? What do you recommend the activities / food for first time visitors to Miri?
In Miri, for off seasons, I'll usually be at the bar getting drunk. CHOMPS is a nice place to chill. Best steak in Miri. 

I recommend jungle tracking here at the Grand Oil Lady.
So much fun with friends.
Food for first timers in Miri, go get drunk at CHOMPS and I'll meet you at A1 coffee shop at 4am for best/cheapest Kolo mee and Laksa!

Nathaniel quick fav facts.

Fav beverage - Fanta orange 

Fav food - my mum's babi kicap 

Fav technique - kimura 

Fav vehicle - Toyota Hilux is the best 

Fav fighter - Khabib Nuramogedov 

Fav movie - Ironman, Antman, Spiderman Homecoming

Big-D's take on MIMMA 5 Heavyweight

photo by Ong Chen fai

After more than 8 months since its tryout in early 2017, MIMMA5  has now reached the sudden death stage, the Semi-finals.

This year MIMMA introduce the new league format. Fighters fought among each other (in their own division) for 7 league rounds of almost every month, to get as much points as possible.

The ultimate aim is to give amateur fighters as many fights as possible to gain exposure and experience.

Personally I was looking forward to Battle of the Borneo Giants in the heavyweight category.
Last year grand finals saw a truly epic fight between Darren Low of Sabah vs Tsan Nieng Khai of Sarawak. Very rarely will the heavyweight go 5 rounds, but both stand their ground and a slugfest ensued. The fight that shook the MIMMA cage!

But looks like my wish not fulfilled, as defending champion Darren has not qualify for finals due to short on points as only the top 4 enters the semi.

As you can see, Darren miss out on points because 5 of the times, his opponent either withdraw or gave him a walkover. Darren only fought twice. Both victory by submission against Niker Tan and Steven Yeoh.

Tsan and Niker holds the advantage of experience.

Tsan (9-2-0) lost to Darren in last year grand finals.

Niker ( 12-5-0 ) lost to Darren in MIMMA3 grand finals.

MIMMA 4 - Tsan  vs Darren ( photo by Mahesan )

MIMMA 3 - Niker vs Darren ( photo by YK Tang )

Warriors of Borneo catch up with Darren to get his thoughts on MIMMA5 heavyweight fights.
   

Hi Darren, I know you miss some fights which makes you had less point to qualify for semi. What was the main reason for this?

Hey Wallace! Well, just a combination of bad timing and bad luck I guess.

I missed the first league due to work commitments during the Hari Raya period.

Then I fought Niker and Steven before having to face Tsan in League 4 – a rematch I was really motivated and training hard for. Unfortunately I injured myself in a freak training accident 1 week before the fight.

League 5 was during a friend’s wedding which I attended in Sabah, and I thought I’d still be able to make the points in League 6 and 7.

Regrettably my opponents both got injured and had to pull out, so I didn’t get enough points to make it to the semi-finals.

How did you feel about the miss? Were you dissapointed not able to defend the title? 

It is what it is man. That’s life and another lesson on takings things in stride. Being upset doesn’t solve anything. Just got to keep training and enjoying what I do. 

Defending the belt is like a bonus that came with dedication to a sport I love. Sure is an awesome experience, but if it happens, then it happens. 

I practice MMA to make my life better, not to be my entire life and I think it’s that mind-set that keeps me going in the sport.

I know Tsan is looking forward actually to battle you again for the belt, do you think without you there Tsan will be the most potential to win among the 4 contender?

I have nothing but respect for Tsan. More so than a fighter, he is a gentleman and carries himself with dignity and good conduct. He’s also the only opponent I haven’t been able to finish and because of my first match with him, I am now a better person and dedicated the time to close a lot of holes in my game. If he can stay healthy and push the fight to where he is strong, then I see him winning Season 5 without me there.

Which semi fight interest you more? Tsan vs Steven or Azreel vs Niker?

With all due respect, I would just like to clarify that this is just my opinion and nothing more. 

Steven is a brawler and has a big heart but I don’t think he can handle Tsan’s technical work, size or resilience. 

Azreel is a brawler with a massive weight advantage and the ability to smother opponents. Niker will have to stick and move to be effective as the smaller man. He also has to not get caught up against the cage, which is easier said than done against a man the size of a fridge (I say that respectfully). This will be the more competitive match to me.

MIMMA5 League 3 . Steven Yeoh vs Darren Low

MIMMA5 League 5 . Azreel  vs Niker

Tell me what u think about the league format? Yes I agree its good as it gives more fights to amateur fighters, but I feel it sort of loose its lustre as it drags a bit and only appeal to hardcore fans.
For an AMATEUR MMA platform, I truly believe a league format is the way to go. 

Amateurs need the fights. They need the cage time and the opportunities to use their skills in a truly competitive setting. The pressure, stress and adrenaline – you just can’t emulate that in training. 

Having said that, I believe there NEEDS to be some changes. 

1) MOST OF ALL, MIMMA HAS TO GIVE THEIR FIGHTERS LONGER BREAKS BETWEEN FIGHTS. You can’t fight a 3 round MMA match every 4 weeks for 9 months without injury – which is exactly what has happened to some of the MIMMA fighters. 

These are grass roots amateur fighters who want to be serious prospects. That won’t happen if they blow out a joint or get brain damaged. The serious guys are sparring 2-3 times a week and the non-heavyweight fighters are cutting weight every month. That’s a HUGE stress on the body and inflammation is GUARANTEED. 

2) If they want to have a monthly event, then split the weight classes such that you get a group of fighters fighting one month and another group fighting the next. This way they get 8 weeks between fights, of which 2 weeks is for recovery. 

3) Adopt the ONE FC weight cut system. MIMMA currently does not have a Light Heavyweight category. Move everyone up one weight class and take their weight 1 week before the fight to make sure they are not cutting a dangerous amount of weight. 

Sorry for the long spill, but I genuinely love this sport and believe MIMMA is mostly on the right track. Fighters don’t complain, so MIMMA doesn’t know. Well here I am telling everyone as a fighter myself.


What advice u have for the Heavyweight in the current rostrum?

Train Hard (and smart). Fight Easy.
Simple . 

Which gym / team actually are you affiliated to? I believe you Damon Soo and Keng Fai are team mates
I represent and train primarily at Marcos Escobar BJJ and Alex’s Gym. Damon is from MEBJJ and Keng Fai is from Alex’s gym, but we all cross train with each other. “As iron sharpens iron, so friends sharpen each other's faces.” Proverbs 27:17 

In KL I also trained at Pushmore for conditioning, Art of Submission and Monarchy MMA. 

In Sabah I train at Sabah Top Team, Team Karabaw and Valor Martial Arts.

You still running your security firm? Fishing looks like your thing,...is it a recent acquired interest? Or Its been a hobby all this while? Why fishing appeal to you?

Yes, K&K Security Services. We provide close protection services as well as armed and unarmed static guard services.

I train all our close protection personnel in hand to hand combat myself.
They are amongst the best in Malaysia. I can say that with confidence.

As for fishing…Fishing is my Religion.

It doesn’t make sense. It’s not the logical thing to do. It’s a waste of time and money.
…but it makes me happy beyond reason.

So what's your plan for future? In terms of your fights and also personal life?

I’m going to just keep training as usual.
Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling and MMA.

Also going to take some time to monitor my diet…
..which I always say I’ll do but never do. Feeling a bit Guilty now.

Also going to get Married this year…
...so who knows what the future holds!?!?!

Hahaha. Aramaitii !!!

Darren with his pillar of strength - Elaine Yap

To cap this,...tell me which ' fight' is toughest for you? And why ( Fishing ).
How big was the fella and what kinda MF ( mother fish...) was it?

Hahahaha!

That's a tough question! Fishing is like a game with many factors.
The hardest fights I've had are all the ones I've lost!!!

Usually fish fight super hard near structure like coral reef to try and cut the line.

I lose most of those fights to Big Dogtooth Tuna (actually a giant mackerel), but managed to land a 55kg one by pure luck when it died from a hook somehow catching its gills. The fish was not wasted as we donated all the meat to an orphanage.

But I would say the most back breaking fight I've had is probably with an estimated 140kg Bullshark on a spinning reel in 200m of water.

Sharks don't fight like fish that run and run until they get tired. Sharks are tricky and know how to conserve energy.

They will swim to the boat easily to confuse you, then run away into the depths and use their large surface area to make you work again - so you have to put a lot of pressure on them and work hard like an MMA fight.

After taking some photos, we cut the hook and let him go to swim again.

Warriors of Borneo thank Darren for his time for this interview and wishes him all the best for all his undertakings.

Darren will be working this Saturday hence will not be present at the semis, but come the grand final in March, he surely will be at the corner of his team mates.

For MMA fans, don't miss MIMMA 5 Semi-finals happening at Paradigm Mall, this Saturday ( 23 FEB 2018 )