EV TING OUTWORK KOJI ANDO FOR HIS WIN TO CALL FOR A TITLE FIGHT NEXT

23 June 2018. One Championship concluded last night in Macau for ONE CHAMPIONSHIP : PINNACLE OF POWER. It's ONE's fourth event featuring the ONE Super Series (Kickboxing and Muaythai fight )

Two MMA title was on the line, the Flyweight title and the female Strawweight title. 

In the main event of the night, Filipino Geje Eustaquio managed to earn a split decision to unify the flyweight belt against long time champ Adriano Moraes.

In the co-main event, China's Xiong Jing Nan dominates Laura Balin to kept her belt via unanimous decision.

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In a lightweight fight, Malaysian-Kiwi spitfire Ev “E.T.” Ting defeated another notable name in the promotion’s stacked lightweight division, routing Koji “The Commander” Ando of Japan. It was a striking showcase from start to finish as both men delivered shattering blows, particularly Ev with powerful high round house that battered Ando.

Ando gallantly traded punches with Ting, but the latter connected on effective strikes through excellent counterpunching. Ting pulled away in the last round when he scored on a devastating high knee. With his gutsy performance against Ando, Ting was awarded a unanimous decision win.

It is worth noting that although Ando was on a 3 fight losing streak going into this fight, but he has never been finished and recorded a win over former UFC lightweight Roger Huerta. 'The Commmander' also went toe to toe with submission ace Shinya Aoki in a 5 round title fight in 2015.  

This is Ev's 3rd win after he lost the title fight challenging Eduard Folayang back in April last year. The lightweight belt has change owner since Nov 2017, when Martin 'The Situ-Asian Nguyen knocked out Eduard. A win by Ev over the experience Ando further pushes Ev called for a Lightweight title fight against Martin Nguyen

Click to watch the hi-lights of Ev vs Koji 

Warriors of Borneo talked to Ev after his victory last night.

WRB: How does it feels to be back fighting an MMA match in a ring? I believe the last time u did that was in your early MMA career right? Do you like fighting in a cage or ring?
ET: Cage feels like do or die and the ring feels more like a demonstration of skills and yes correct haven't competed in one for awhile but still often train in one. I enjoyed it and look forward to more ventures in there.


WRB: Going into the fight vs Koji, did you prepare with lots of wresting & take down defense?
ET: Yes, every camp I'm always improving on all aspects, but was certainly aware of his judo credentials and his submission finishes. So the game-plan was to keep my range to pick him apart.

WRB: Were you surprise that Koji prefered to stand and trade and hardly attempt any take down?
ET: Koji is one of the toughest competitors out there and has a mindset of a real samurai. 

I think the first round he was looking for take-downs until he realised it wasn't there due to my range and movement therefore he adjusted and came back slightly in the 2nd.

WRB: Take us through the fight? You pressured him by much of combos and high kicks in first two rounds, but Koji seems to have more output in the 3rd round. Tell us about that knee in the 3rd round.
ET: I took the lead in the striking in the first, Koji adjusted and started walking me down in the 2nd, took me awhile to adjust but once I did I was able to time some combos and also that knee where I missed the first couple times with the right, so switched it to the left and it connected. Much respect to such a tough opponent.

Ev Ting signature jumping knee connecting Ando in the 3rd round. Pic by YK TANG Photography

WRB: Of the 3 wins after you challenge Eduard, which win was the hardest and most satisfying? What's the thing that changes most since the loss to Eduard?
ET: Each win since my title shot is just another learning curve and what has changed most is my mindset, instead of trying to please everyone I just invested in myself and smart training. Smarter and harder now.

WRB: You clearly wants to challenge Martin for the lightweight title, do you think it should be your next fight?
Absolutely it should be the next fight, no other lightweight contender have taken out the contenders I've had.

Martin is not even a real lightweight so he has the choice to vacate or defend. If he truly believes he's the champ, then he would not hesitate to prove it.


WRB: When do you think you ready to fight? If ONE didn't give you that title fight, will you fight in KL card in July?
ET: Yes I've been campaigning for this but being 3 weeks out and he has another invented interim belt, it may be unlikely, but absolutely I will be ready. I'm not scared of any lightweight on his planet.

WRB: Tell us about your relationship with Martin? have you train with him before? What do you think of his recent win vs Christian Lee? How do you think your style vs Martin will play out in a title fight?
ET: We are both sponsored by the same gym Saigon Sports Club, while I spent over two years coaching there, he was getting all these awesome opportunities. Martin is the current champ for a reason. His timing and efficiency is on point but he has yet to be in deep waters.

ET vs 'The Situ-Asian' will sell out in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand simply because people know it's going to be a real fight. Survival of the fittest type of fight.

WRB: What's that gold chain all about in Macau?
Bali MMA made it just for Xiong Jingnan the champ, Mario and myself so it would be rude not to wear it. Plus it looks pretty cool, but intrinsically it's more of a mindset for me.

WRB: Please give readers some tips of how you develop that power in your high kicks?
ET: The more times you do something the better you get, so it's simply repetitions. Having a good pad holding coach can help with the distancing and timing. Drills and skills pays the bills

WRB: Any leisure after win in Macau?
Asides from the overpriced food, we went to the after party at Pachao in Studio City, thanks ONE for hosting was a great night and everyone had a blast. #Whiskeysquad LOL

I want to thank ONE Championship for having me on the show, I look forward to represent and express my craft each time I step in the arena. Also all my partners who make it possible for me to fulfill my camps and lifestyle.

Onward and forward, I have got my eyes on the prize.

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ONE Championship: Pinnacle of Power @ Macau full results

ONE Flyweight World Championship bout: 

Geje Eustaquio defeats Adriano Moraes by Split Decision (SD) after 5 rounds

ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship bout: 

Xiong Jing Nan defeats Laura Balin by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 5 rounds

ONE Super Series Muay Thai catchweight bout (67.0kg): 

Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai defeats Fabrice Fairtex Delannon by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 0:43 minutes of round 2

Lightweight bout: 

Ev Ting defeats Koji Ando by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Featherweight bout: 

Narantungalag Jadambaa defeats Edward Kelly by TKO (Strikes) at 4:58 minutes of round 2

ONE Super Series Muay Thai flyweight bout: 

Lerdsila Phuket Top Team defeats Sok Thy by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

ONE Super Series Kickboxing heavyweight bout: 

Tarik Khbabez defeats Alain Ngalani by Knockout (KO) at 1:49 minutes of round 3

ONE Super Series Muay Thai flyweight bout: 

Yukinori Ogasawara defeats Rui Botelho by Knockout (KO) at 2:54 minutes of round 2

Featherweight bout: 

Li Kai Wen defeats Rodian Menchavez by Knockout (KO) at 0:10 minutes of round 1

Flyweight bout: 

Danny Kingad defeats Ma Hao Bin by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Bantamweight bout: 

Rin Saroth defeats Mario Satya Wirawan by TKO (Strikes) at 2:30 minutes of round 3

One Championship next event will be in Yangon on 29 June, ONE Championship: SPIRIT of WARRIOR with a Middleweight title fight between Myanmar's hero and champion Aung La N Sang vs Japanese challenger Ken Hasegawa. Watch the full event LIVE & FREE on the ONE Super App , download it now http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp

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MIMMA 5 : NAIMUL AMAL'S HARD WORKS PAID OFF

Standing at the backstage, Naimul ‘the Convict’ Amal Othman can hear the intro video playing in the hall, as he waited for his name to be called for the walk-out. It's the second last bout of the night. Between Naimul and Jay Muran for the vacant flyweight title. Stadium Juara has been rocked with 6 other exciting fight that night on 30 March 2018.

Naimul’s brother Dhiaaul earlier on had emerge victorious winning the Bantamweight belt. Now it’s for him to fulfil his end of the bargain, to go home together as champion.

Tupac Shakur’s Soldier came on. He listened to Tupac’s music since he was a teenager. The song Soldier meant a lot to him. It reminds him of his struggles to reach here in MIMMA 5 grand finals. Naimul calmly uttered a prayer, then breathe in deeply and began his walk-out accompanied by his coach Joe Lorenzo Kitingan and Dhiaaul.

As he walks, he felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. But the further he walk, he felt he is leaving all the tension and stress behind. He is leaving everything to ALLAH now.

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The flyweight championship fight was 3 rounds of thriller. Jay Muran is known for his ground game, but Naimul was the one that was well rounded. He dominated the stand-up and the grappling exchanges. His gas tank was also not depleted compare to Jay.

Both engaged with some wild exchanges in early round 1, but Jay was quick to attempt take down. He scored one ala Khabib Nurmagomedov by carrying Naimul across the cage & dumped him near his corner.

But Naimul was very hard to be kept down. He managed to reverse and continue to trade blows. But it was Naimul gaining the better of the exchanges, ending round 1 with 40 seconds unleashing ground and pound on Jay Jay.

Naimul open round 2 with a feint punches that set up for his left high kick that caught Jay Jay’s chin. At one point Jay Jay got Naimul’s back but Naimul control his hands well and managed to turn into Jay Jay’s guard and gain top position. After few seconds he stood and let Jay Jay back on his feet.

As they were pacing each other, Jay Jay pointed to something on his opponent’s face, but Naimul did not acknowledge and wants the fight to continue, until ref Dana intervene and cleared what seems to be a detached contact lens from below Naimul’s left eye.

Round 2 ended with Jay Jay caught in Naimul’s body triangle.

Round 3 Jay Jay got a take down but look exhausted to keep Naimul down, a few scramble later and a weak attempt by Jay Jay on a single leg led Naimul to get on top, with knee on belly he unleashed numerous strikes from top that the ref had to stop the fight at round 3, minute 1:39

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A win that was truly emotional for Naimul as he rushes to climb on to the cage , raised his hand to acknowledge God.

In a post fight interview, Naimul remark about the fight:
" I’m not surprised of Jay's gameplan, I knew he's going to take me down and fight me on the ground. But I was prepared for any situation. Stand up or ground just bring it on. I was prepared for war."

a visibly ecstatic Joe Lorenzo celebrating Naimul's win

Ask what was on his mind each round,
"Each round what I was thinking is that I will break his heart. I will make him doubt his own ability. All of his attempt will not work until he's tired."

Who he wants to acknowledge for his victory.
"Firstly I thank Allah, I pray to Allah to give me the victory and give me the ability to go through all the obstacles in my life and everything. I thank my parents, my in-laws for blessing me in this career. My wife, the backbone, she prepared for me almost everything, motivates me, hear me, and believe me. My coach Joe Lorenzo and my brother Dhiaaul in training. All my family members and All the true friends. I thank Allah for giving me all this companion in my life."

Emotional embrace with his parents after the victory

"And a great shout out to my sponsors Hutan Ration and HEAL Studio. Thanks to Tune Talk and MIMMA; there's always something sentimental with MIMMA as this is where my MMA path kick started, it means a lot for winning the MIMMA belt. Alhamdulillah."

strong support from family and friends

strong sponsors support

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Earlier before his fight that night, Naimul was cornering Dhiaaul in his bantamweight fight vs Sabahan Effendy Kalai. Dhiaaul endured Effendy’s heavy hands and eventually got hold of Effendy's arm and locked in a tight armbar for a finish.

Naim admit he was nervous at first but he was not worried, he knew Dhiaaul could handle the initially heavy onslaught. He has been training hard with Dhiaaul under Joe Lorenzo and has the utmost confidence for Dhiaaul to be crowned the Bantamweight Champion that night.

Back in 2015, in MIMMA’s season 3 Contender Fight, Naimul had to fight Dhiaaul for a place in the grand final flyweight category. It was a difficult decision but, being in the top of the flyweight division for both, it was inevitable for them to meet each other. They were very professional and went into the cage with full commitment of a good performance.



Dhiaaul emerged winner via armlock in round 2 and went on to challenge Seah Zhang Yu.

It is certainly dream come true for the Amal brothers this year as they both emerged as champion on that night. Very emotional win for Naimul as the hardship and sacrifice he had made ( read his pre-event story here ) finally bear fruit

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In the holy month of Ramadhan Naimul took time to be closer to God. Fasting and praying and ever thankful for every blessings and challenges God has given him. He also took time to help his close friend of 12 years and fellow MMA athlete Ridzuan Dahari in business.

They operate a stall in the Ramadhan Bazaar at Kompleks PKNS and selling Ridzuan’s famous Mafioso Seafood shellout. Business is good.

Naimul (R) with Ridzuan (L) and a friend

This year Hari Raya Naimul look forward to spend quality time with family and enjoy the good food during the festive period. He will spend the first two days of Raya at Shah Alam and following 3rd day at Muar Johor, his wife’s hometown.

Food wise, during Ramadhan his favourite ‘buka puasa’ dish is Nasi Briyani Kambing! And this coming Hari Raya he is craving for ketupat palas and lemang which goes perfectly well with the delicious rendang that his mom is best known for.

With his shiny MIMMA 5 Flyweight belt on his side, this Hari Raya will definitely be a time for Naimul to cherish and remember for a long time to come.

Warriors of Borneo wishes the Amal brothers, Naimul and Dhiaaul and their family a happy and joyful Hari Raya Aidilfitri .

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Story by Tan Wallace

BRUNEI'S 1st BJJ ROLLATHON BY KHALIFA MMA

Ahmed Faez Anuar or better known as Eazy Anuar, is easily the most well known figure in the martial arts scene of Brunei. Coming from a Rugby Boxing background, he has since become the face of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in Brunei, whom has brought fame to Brunei sports through his numerous victories in BJJ competition around the region.

Muslim around the world observe their holy month of Ramadhan this month with the required practice of fasting. Aside from fasting, Muslim also increase their devotions to Allah through prayers and charity works. For Eazy the founder of Khalifa Mixed Martial Arts, Ramadan is also a time to reflect on his life and to give back to society.

He organised a BJJ Rollathon on 26 May 2018. What's a BJJ Rollathon you may ask. Well it's simply a session of continuous sparring (in BJJ it's call roll) from 5pm of 26 May till 12am on 27 May. At any one time, there must be minimum a pair of exponent rolling on the mat. Those who take part are required to make a donation of either money, food items or personal care items.

Many of us would think of Brunei as an oil rich country of abundance wealth may not have poors. But there are still some marginalised families that require much help and assistance. Eazy has committed 100% of the donations to go to these group of unfortunate.

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It was 9 years ago in 2009, when Eazy fell in love with BJJ. It was not his initial love. He was into Rugby. BJJ was a new thing introduced to him by his wife Norfaziah to keep him and his Rugby mates occupied in the off season. They learn from David, a New Zealander teacher working in Brunei.

2 years later as David had to leave for home. Eazy even though just a white belt then, was entrusted to lead the small group of BJJ enthusiasts, to keep it going. He started a class and coach BJJ in Busiido. Needless to say he didn't just kept it going but he grew it a few fold.

Brunei's 1st Rollathon participants

Brunei BJJ community even though small but has grown steadily and consistently. For a country that has considerably a small of population of only 433,726 it can now proudly boast to have at least 5 places to train BJJ.

Towards the end of 2017 he parted ways with Busiido. Eazy again felt that he is entrusted to bring Brunei BJJ to a higher level. Hence he decided to open his own gym. He named it Khalifa, which means entrusted to do something good. In a short 5 months, Khalifa MMA has grown into the go-to place for BJJ and mixed martial arts in Brunei.

This development even caught the attention of Rich Franklin (former UFC Middleweight Champion), whom went to Brunei for shooting of ONE Warriors Series, which is a series of Rich's journeys throughout Asia to scout for promising martial artists, to be awarded ONE Championship contract.

Eazy with his wife (middle) and Rich Franklin (L)

Now back to the Rollathon. In total 43 Juijiteiros  participated in the Rollathon and 58 made donations. Eazy was overwhelmed with the response but nontheless happy to be busy for a few days segregating the many items to be donated to the poor in Brunei.

WRB: How did this Rollathon idea came about?
Eazy : The idea was in the pipeline since we opened Khalifa, thought it would be a good idea to bring people together for a good cause and create awareness about the jits community and the public would know that we can do other things besides jits. It was mainly an idea from my wife! So we decided Ramadhan would be a good month. Besides who doesn't love a good old open mat (open training session).

The 43 Juijiteiros that participated came from Khalifa MMA, The Refinery, Wolfpack Traning Ground, Jits Irmao and the Whiteroom.

On 2nd June which is the religious holiday of Nuzul Al-Quran in Brunei, the Brunei Jiu-Jitsu community came together to bring the much needed donations items and money direct to 50 families around Tutong and Bandar Seri Begawan.

Eazy: The Brunei BJJ community is a tight-knit community of people of different ethnicity, religion, culture, language and background where on the mats we compete against each other but as soon as we step off the mat we celebrate each other's victories. With this Rollathon and donation, we strengthened our bonds by focusing on a mission bigger than ourselves: giving back to those less fortunate.

segregation and planning of distribution

"This is one of the meaningful ways Khalifa MMA proves its dedication to build better human beings, and support the mission to encourage more Bruneian women in BJJ and most importantly for Brunei BJJ to create and cultivate a community that cares."

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In Ramadhan, even when he fast, Eazy does not stop training. Before training, his favourite break fast food are dates and iced coffee. Then off he goes for training. After training he goes for a big meal of rice and protein ( plenty of chicken & fish ). Yup, you read it right. Those who knew Eazy as a vegetarian, well sorry to disappoint, he has join the dark side early this year...LOL

Eazy supporting a local Brunei brand Dark Arts

As for the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri to mark the end of Ramadhan, which is roughly less than two weeks away Eazy can't wait to dive into plenty of Nutella cakes!

Hari Raya is celebrated joyously with plenty of delicious food in Brunei. Go ahead celebrate with friends and good food. But after days of feasting do visit Khalifa MMA, and its associate gym around Brunei to get yourself back in fighting shape.

Warriors of Borneo wishes all the Bruneian BJJ community a blessed Ramadhan and a coming wonderful Aidilfitri!

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