MIMMA4 Contender Fights - Day of reckoning

Rio Olympic Mens Badminton Semi-finals...Lee Cong Wei slog it out tooth and nails beating his arch nemesis Lin Dan. Similarly in the MIMMA4 Contender fights, was the day of reckoning for fighters. Time for them to give their all and leave the cage with pride no matter what the results. Winners will bask in the glory of appearing in a bigger stage, where spot lights and media attention will swarm them. And obviously a chance to become champion themselves as they challenge the defending champion for the title.

Those who leave the cage as losers should not feel despair, in-fact they should held their head high as they have reached thus far, and I believe all should take inspiration from Muhd Aiman.

Aiman lost in finals in season 1, season 2 reached finals but didn't make weight, season 3 came back went all the way to the finals and emerge victorious as the featherweight champion. Now Aiman is a professional MMA fighter and had won his debut in ONE Championship the night before on 2 Sept 2016.

As if there's not enough fire to burn the spirits of the fighters fighting in the 7 Contender fights & 2 semi-finals (for Foreign Pride), MIMMA add in another 9 feature fights to warms things up.

The feature fights results are:

Before the first Contender match, fighters had a face off.

Clockwise from top. Foreign Pride Semi 1: Nazri Sutari (SGP) vs Anthony Vincent Lowe (UK). Heavyweigh. Tsan Nieng Khai (SWK) vs Niker Tan Sian Kai (PEN).  Women : Hayatun Najihin (JOH) vs Nur Sabrina Bt Rafiz Azuan (SEL).  Welterweight : Theeban Govindasamy (KL) vs Aaron Tan Kuan Howe (SWK)

Clockwise from top. Middleweight: Bryant Tan Yi Qin (SWK) vs  Faiz Faisal Roseli (PEN). Flyweight: Eddy Kalai (SAB) vs Mohd Zakhir (SEL). Lightweight: Hui Keng Fai (SEL) vs Muhd Fahim Noh (SEL). Bantamweight: Damon Soo Yan Wei (KL) vs  Liew Meng Jun Quency (SAB). Foreign Pride Semi 2: Shaqueme Rock (UK) vs Amro Sulaiman (PALESTINE)

Ok lets move on to the first match in the Contender Fights.

Foreign Pride Semi 1: Nazri Sutari (SGP) defeated Anthony Vincent Lowe (UK) by unanimous decision.. Referee Olivier Coste (FRA).

Nazri displayed a great game of explosiveness and ground dominance. Executing a beautiful double leg take down that slammed Anthony on the canvas in round 1. Although Anthony was not easy to finish, Nazri was able to exert his will on the ground with ground and pound to win all three judges decision.

Heavyweight : Tsan Nieng Khai (SWK) defeated Niker Tan Sian Kai (PEN) via split decision. Referee Abdul Aziz Alias (SEL).

Last year Contender Fight, Niker prevented an all Sabahan affair in the grand finals when he beat Tam Yaw Kent to reach the grand final. This year another Borneon was in his way - which happened to be Tam's opponent in Season's 3 semi final, Tsan Nieng Khai from Sarawak.

For the big boys to slog it out for 3 rounds certainly needs a big gas tank and both showed great improvement in stamina compare to the year before. But the edge went to Tsan whom displayed a better striking from his muaythai kicks and when he was able to control Niker on the ground.

So we will see a Borneon affair in the grand finals where Sabahan Champion Darren Low will be waiting for Tsan in the grand finals.

Women’s Power: Hayatun Najihin (JOH) defeated Nur Sabrina Bt Rafiz Azuan (SEL) by unanimous decision. Referee Yeow Chet Lim (KL).

The female category may only be in it's second year but the standard of skills when you watch these two compete was certainly at another level. In fact this match may have more action than some of the other match in the male category.

These two never stop moving, when they stand after a few strike, in an instance they would engage in grappling and move the action to the floor. At the ground both never stop looking for submission and reversal, it was like watching a Metamoris match. Their corners was shouting instruction non stop, the crowds went wild, supporters for Nur Sabrina was estatic! Kudos to both this elite female for showing true warriors spirits.

But a winners had be announced and it went to Hayatun from Johor.

She will face Joanna Yap of Sarawak in the grand finals, and we may well see another exciting match as both are great jiujitsu athletes.

Theeban Govindasamy (KL) defeated Aaron Tan Kuan Howe (SWK) by unanimous decision. Referee Isaac Yap Weng Choy (JOH).

Aaron came into this fight as a underdog, similar to his fight in the Semi-finals. In that fight Aaron faced the heavily favoured Teh Kah Wai, but Aaron was able to silence the critics and won it. But facing Theeban is another story. Theeban is an ex national karateka and is well known for as a prolific striker.

As expected Theeban kept Aaron at bay utilizing his long range weapon - his kicks. Applying a karate stance, he was able to lunge in and out fast. On the ground he displayed much improved techniques, showcasing what he has learned under David Hullet of Klinch MMA.

But at one point what look like a heel hook did gave Aaron a lot of trouble as he try to escape.

Aaron limp offed the cage and was not happy with the decision loss as he felt the technique applied on him is not legal in amateur level.

Middleweight: Bryant Tan Yi Qin (SWK) defeated Faiz Faisal Roseli (PEN) by split decision. Referee Dana Blouin (USA)

Bryant went in  looking for a finish early, but Faiz of K-ONE MMA Academy was a resilient opponent. The fight stayed standing and this was to Bryant's advantage as his boxing and muaythai background shines. When they are in the pocket he was able to connect with uppercuts and clinch into devastating knees.

It was a three round of energy sapping striking match. Faiz was a worthy opponent that was able to stand toe to toe with Bryant. Upon winning the bout, 2015 Middleweight Champion Muhd Meeraj steps in the cage to face-off with Bryant. Panting from the three round war, Bryant was respectful and cheerished the opportunity to be able to step into the cage facing Meeraj in the grand finals. He said that facing the champ, will ultimately bring out the best in him.

Flyweight: Eddy Kalai (SAB) defeated Mohd Zakhir (SEL) via unanimous decision. Referee Olivier Coste (FRA)

Flyweight are one of the best to watch as they are fast and explosive. Eddy Kalai of Sabah is man on a mission. It's unfinished business for him. Reaching semi-finals for both season 2 & 3, this year he is determined to go all the way. 

Although a cheerful and joyful fella out the cage where he always smiles and joke even during face-off, but in the cage he is one determined and focus fighter.

His boxing pedigree shows through his effective jab and being a counter puncher he outstriked Zakhir even when he was on the retreat.

His ground game is understated but it he is an avid learner from watching countless Youtube tutorial. he was able to control Zakhir on the ground.

Seah Zhang Yu of Penang went through hell and back last year defending his CHampionship belt by outslugging Dhiaal Amal. I believe this year will see the same as both are prolific striker. Perhaps the game changer will be who will be the better grappler should the fight goes to the ground.

Lightweight: Hui Keng Fai (SEL) defeated Muhd Fahim Noh (SEL) by von flue choke submission at 2:32 of Round 2. Referee Olivier Coste (FRA)

Keng Fai is a picture of calmness. A veteran of both season 2 & 3 where he reached the Semi-Finals but a fighter that is always on people's mind as he has so much potential to excel. Due to this even though he lost in the 2015 semis, MIMMA offered him a feature fight vs Nazri Sutari in the grand finals. And Keng Fai showed his calmness weathring the explosive charge of Nazri where he was able to apply a standing guillotine choke in round 1.

Facing Fahim, a veteran of F3 Championship, Keng Fai was able to defend against a single leg attempt. Keng Fai was on top position and was able to execute a submission we hardly see - Von Flue choke. This shows the high level jiujitsu Keng Fai has acquired through Professor Pedro Falbo of Muayfit.

Keng Fai will be challenging Jace Law for the lightweight belt. It's going to be a dream match as Jace is a high level athlete that is well known for his JKO bombs. This match I believe will not go beyond 3 rounds as Jace will be on the constant lookout for a finish. Keng Fai may play the defensive game and look for an opening for submission when Jace lunge in. Bottom line is, it's going to be a heck of a fight.

Bantamweight: Damon Soo Yan Wei (KL) defeated Liew Meng Lun Quency (SAB) by split decision. Referee Isaac Yap Weng Choy (JOH)

On paper it looks like Damon will have an easy victory over Liew. Damon was in season 2 & 3 and stumbled in the quarter finals. As a 18 year old, this is Liew's debut in MIMMA, and he has shown much potential by reaching the Contender Fights.

Liew went into this fight with short preparation. He was expecting to appear in the grand finals fighting Damon hence he started a strength and conditioning program under Borneo Titans and planned to cut weight on the final week of the Grand Finals. The rest of the time he trains in Alpha MMA under Allen Chong ( MIMMA 1 Lightweight Champion) polishing his jiujitsu and MMA.

But MIMMA had planned for a rematch of last year grand finalist of Sabahan Effendy Kalai vs Tee Jac Yoe of Johor. This plan didn't work out as Tee could not be back in Malaysia as he was overseas studying. The rematch was worked out due to 2015 grand finals where a no contest was declared when Effendy pass out due to a controversial behind the back strikes by Tee. As Tee was not able to fight, Effendey goes to the grand finals and it's up to Damon vs Liew to see who challenge him there.

As expected Damon was the aggressor. heavy with his hands was able to bring the fight to the ground. But the ground is where Liew excel. he was able to defend well and constantly shift position to look for a submission as Damon was on the offensive with ground and pound. 2nd round was similar.

Damon seems to be gasping for air in the 3rd round. Knowing he is behind on points, Liew decides to keep the fight standing. Using his boxing experience, a slug fest went on towards the end of the round 3 as both go for broke. In the end, Damon hand was raised, winning a close split decision.

Foreign Pride Semi 2: Shaqueme Rock (UK) defeated Amro Sulaiman (PALESTINE) via split decision. Referee Olivier Coste (FRA)

It was a great way to end the day with these two foreigner as the last match. Shaqueme representing Monarchy MMA using his height advantage controls the striking game and on the ground. Executing great grappling. At one point, victory looks certain for Shaqueme when he was able mount Amro and got high up to his shoulder for a mounted triangle and raining punches from top. But Amro does not give up, he was able to escape and bring the fight standing again.

It was 3 rounds of back and fourth with Shaqueme having the upper hand but Amro is constantly surprising people by coming back strong. Amro's supporters that surround the mall was ecstatic when his hand was raised,...a clearly dissapointed Shaqueme walk off the cage dejected.

But a quick turn around after the bouts when MIMMA officials met and discussed the decision. It was later reverse with the victory of a split decision going to Shaqueme. He will be facing Nazri Sutari of Singapore in the grand finals, and the resilient and warrior heart Amro will be given a feature fight to ensure fight fans a great bouts happening in the grand finals that will be on 8 OCT 2016 in Stadium Negara.

The fire that started in early 2016 will culminate in a truly explosive grand finals. Book your tickets early fight fans, this year grand finals may well be the best fight yet in MIMMA's history.

PS : Thanks to YK Tang Photography for all the great pictures feature here.

Go to YK Tang Photography FB for more awesome pictures.

MIMMA 4 is turning up the furnace…it’s getting hot in the Semis

MIMMA 4 is turning up the furnace…it’s getting hot in here! The flame has been up a few notch for the semi-finals. Happening this weekend, 6-7 Aug at Paradigm Mall, Petaling Jaya. Earlier in April MIMMA holds its tryouts in a few locations in Malaysia, namely; Penang, Johor, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur, and then it moved on to the ladder match and subsequently the quarter finals in end May before the fasting months starts.

For the Semi-finals, this is where the men are separated from the boys. Its where fighters with more refine skill sets are at. The fights will be tougher and the pressure to win higher. This year’s Semi-finals are a mixture of some newbies to MIMMA and also some experienced MIMMA ‘veteran’.

For the uninitiated, MIMMA is the premier amateur MMA tournament in Malaysia. Touted as the biggest, and the most well organized MMA tournament in Asia, if not the world. Sponsor by Tune Talk and strongly supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, MIMMA has produce many talented MMA athlete that now compete professionally in big MMA promotions around the region. Names like Keanu Subbha, Allen Solomon Chong, Adrian Tham, Agilan Thani and Muhammad Aiman has become household name in the Malaysian MMA circle.

In its fourth series now, we can see fighters evolve and improve. They are now more balance in their skill sets. More fighters now come prepared, strikers has added grappling and wrestling into their arsenal. While ground fellas are now equipped with boxing skills and more muaythai strikes.

From the first MIMMA in 2013, the numbers of martial arts gym has also increase significantly. More people have taken up martial arts, the serious bunch one for competition, but a lot more for fitness and shedding weight.

MIMMA certainly has created a boom in the fitness industry too as more gym also introduce strength and conditioning classes to improve on fighters fitness. Fight moves are now also a norm in many aerobic classes.

Many regional competition have also emerged, such as Warriors FC in Penang, JFL (Jesselton Fighting Championship) in Sabah, Ultimate Beatdown in Johor, and BAC (Borneo Amatuer Challenge) in Labuan. Which gives fighters more opportunity to test their skills and increase their fight time to gain experience.

Few years back, hardly anyone outside of the martial arts circle knows what MMA stand for. Now at least if they don’t know, most would surely have seen or heard about a match or two in the media. In short MIMMA has created an impact to Malaysia.

Lets look at the Semi-Finalist.Out of the 40 athlete. 11 are from Borneo (4 Sarawakian, 6 Sabahan & 1 reside in Sabah).

There are some good fight to look out for. Day 1 on 6 Aug, will see the repeat of Battle of Borneo in Heavyweight as Sarawakian Tsan Nieng Kai meets Sabahan Kent Tham. Tsan last year also meet Kent in the Semis. It was an all out war between the two as both huff and puff for 3 rounds which is won by Kent by unanimous decision.

Tsan Nieng Kai vs Kent Tham

Kent moved on to contender fight but loss to Grand finalist from Penang, Niker Tan. Niker is also back again this year looking for a rematch with Sabahan defending heavyweight champion Darren Low whom he lost to in MIMMA3 Grand finals. But first Niker have to overcome Johorean Steven Yeoh.

Tsan last year represent Gymbox but has moved on to open his own martial art gym - MAD Fight Club in Kuching. Meanwhile Kent after the lost in MIMMA3 contender fights, fought on in Kota Kinabalu based JFL to emerge as its inaugural heavyweight champion.

Md Zakhir vs Md Hasbullah

Flyweight fight to watch will be Md Hasbullah (Sabah) vs Md Zakhir (Johor). Hasbullah or nick name The Garagas Man (which means rogue / rascal in Sabahan Dusun language) is a fighter much improve from last year’s MIMMA3 where he lost in ladder match due to lack of grappling skills. From there on he has polished up his game tremendously and with strong determination and pure fighting spirit has claim victory in Fight Fest, BAC and JFL.

He is the JFL bantamweight Champion, after a real hard battle of back and fourth with Din Hamsah. Before reaching final of JFL, He fought in the semi as a huge underdog to Ahmadjon Karimov ( MIMMA3 Foreign Pride Champion). In that fight after brushing off a fever he fought a constant back and fourth battle to emerge winner by unanimous decision.

His road to the MIMMA4 semis is a win by armbar in round 1 vs Fikhrul, and got a walkover win at quarterfinals as opponent pulled out.

Hasbullah’s success largely was at the guidance of Keningau MMA coach Mohd Bakri, ( read about Hasbullah in my previous post ) but this year Hasbullah decided to took on a challenge to lead a gym on his own. Karabaw Gym Keningau branch opened in June this year and Hasbullah has been busy playing the role of head coach & preparing his own fight.

His opponent Md Zakhir, is considered a veteran in MMA, although just 24 this year. He fought in the early days of Malaysian MMA at events such as Malaysian Fighting Championship, Ultimate Beatdown & F3 around 2011-2013. Back this year to continue his martial arts journey, Zakhir is an experience and explosive fighter. En-route to the semi, he submitted Lennon Ginibun of Sabah in the quarter finals. Expect a trully explosive fight between these two flyweights.

Hong Weng Hooi vs Eddy Kalai

On the other side of the semi finals for Flyweight, another Sabahan Eddey Kalai is fighting Penangite Hong Weng Hooi. Eddey is an ex national boxer and well experience in the fight game. Started his MMA journey with the 1st MMA event in Borneo, Borneo Fighting Championship in 2013. He joined MIMMA2 and reached the semis, lost to eventual winner Seah Zhang Yu.

In MIMMA3 Aug 2015, again stumbled at semis, this time lost to Dhiaal Amal, who went on to challenge Seah for the belt but lost in a thrilling battle. Eddey continued fighting in Sabah in Oct 2015 and won the JFL Flyweight belt.

He is also looking to complete the unfinished business of his younger brother, Effendey Kalai, whom was a grand finalist for MIMMA3 Bantamweight. Effendey suffered a controversial behind the head strike that resulted in him fainting. The match was announced a no-contest, hence making MIMMA4 Bantamweight belt vacant for this year’s fighter to take.

Eddey’s opponent Hong is the team mate of Seah Zhang Yu from 3S MMA Penang. Hong actually loss the ladder match fight to Trevor Salang from Miri Sarawak. But due to Trevor pulling out of quarter, Hong was offered to fight Ferdaus Gaban of KL & won the bout.

Hafizul vs Joseph Yap

I’m excited to watch featherweight fight of Sabahan Hafizul Hakeem vs Joseph Yap of KL. Hafizul from Team Karabaw Sipitang, Sabah is a spirited fighter. He tasted his first MMA fight in Ultimate Beatdown 14 in 2014. Wanting more, in 2015 before MIMMA3 tryout, he went to fight in Full Metal Dojo. All alone and on his own expenses in Bangkok, he lost the fight to a Thai native by guillotine choke. Armed with better experience he fought all the way to the Grand Finals of MIMMA3 to meet eventual champion Mohammad Aiman. Aiman has now moved on to fight at pro level.

As for Joseph, this young fighter is a prodigy trained by martial arts star Andy Teh Kim Huat of Elitze MMA. At 25 this year, he only started seriously training in Jan 2015. Under the careful guidance of Andy Teh teaching Joseph MMA and coach Effendey Kalai in boxing and Ngeoh Jian Cong in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Joseph soaks it all in like a sponge.

In March 2015 he debut in his first MMA match. Going in like a dynamite in Ultimate Beatdown 15 winning by TKO with punches. He was a feature fighter in 2015 MIMMA3: Contender Fight, winning that fight vs Uriel Yu.

Just last month in Penang’s Warrior Fight Night appearing in the main card, he defeated Joshua Khiew ( MIMMA2 grand finalist) by TKO in a series of strikes in round 2. He is now on a 7 fight winning streak and all these fights are by TKO / submission. Joseph is looking to continue his winning streak and aimed to use his aggressiveness to win this match.

Bryant Tan vs Samsuri

Another Sarawakian to watch out will be Bryant Tan from Daro. Distraught by heart ache of a break up four years ago, he picked himself up and started training muay thai and became a muaythai specialist.

Watch out for his devastating muaythai low kick as he takes on Mohd Samsuri. His original opponent supposed to be Jasmond Sangeh but due to Jasmond’s injuries Samsuri is offered the fight. Samsuri lost to Mohd Ezzat in the quarter finals. Ezzat is also in the other welterweight fight as he Faiz Faisal of Penang.

On to the Grand Finals for John Liew

Bantamweight BJJ prodigy from Alpha MMA Sabah , John Quincy Liew Ming Lun was looking forward to face Jessen Ong of 3S MMA Penang. But a horrible injury during training dislocated Ong's elbow and he does not have time to recover for this semi finals fight. This moved John directly into the grand finals, as there’s no title holder from previous year due to the no-contest match Effendy Kalai vs Tee Jac Yeo.

John has background in boxing and trained by MIMMA1 Lightweight Champion, Allen Solomon Chong in BJJ and MMA will certainly bring his A game to the finals.

Joel Nickolson vs Damon Soo

The other two semi finalist, Joel Nickolson of Sabah Top Team and Damon Soo will need to battle it out to see who face John. Joel is a Taekwondo stylist but have been training MMA & Luta Livre under Italian coach Antonio Battistesa for a year.

Damon Soo is no stranger to the fight game. He has been around since MIMMA2 reaching quarter finals. MIMMA3 in the semi-finals losing a close decision to Hafizul Hakeem. Trully a specimen with his hulking physique to be able to fight at bantamweight. He has top notch submission skills and a heavy hand. He’s back with a vengeance this year, securing two choke submission in round 1 in the ladder match and quarter-finals.

Fahim Noh vs Mohd Eswandy

18 year old Eswandy from Kuching has revenge in his mind. He is out to avenge his muaythai coach A.Karadech Seesombat or affectionately call Eddy. Eddy was the grand finalist for last year’s Foreign Pride category. He fought Ahmadjon Karimov from Tajikistan, but lost emphatically in 39 seconds to Ahamdjon’s strikes.

Eswandy has been training muaythai since 16 and was Malaysian national champion in 71kg two years in a row, 2014 & 2015. In fact he will fight at the national again a week after MIMMA semi-finals.

Eswandy train at SS Fighters and believe that his coach is still one of the best strikers in the game and he diligently learn from him to show that Eddy’s pass on knowledge will lead him to the grand finals and win the belt.

But he is not forgetting about his ground game. His team mate in SS Fighter and Studio 23- 1st MIMMA Female champion and Sarawakian compatriot Joanna Yap is passing her BJJ knowledge to him. This grappling skills will come in handy as he face Fahim Noh. Fahim has good BJJ skills and is an experienced fighters from the early days of F3 Championship.

One of the best action photos by YK Tang of MIMMA3 Grand Finals last year: Nazri Sutari vs Hui Keng Fai

3 more stand out to pay attention to in this Semi-finals rounds are Hui Keng Fai of Muayfit KL, Singaporean Nazri Sutari and Theeban Govindasamy. Keng Fai ‘s current record is 12 fights, (9-3-0). A very explosive and well balance fighter to watch. He is MIMMA3 semi-finalist. Knowing he has huge potential, MIMMA offered him a feature fight vs Nazri Sutari in last year’s Grand Final. And what a great idea that was, as both of them pull no punches swing for the fences. Keng Fai won by standing guillotine in round 1.

Pix by MMA Latest: You can bet Nazri will bring his top game in every fight.

Its really great that MIMMA introduce the Foreign Pride category last year, so that we can enjoy watching some talented non-Malaysian slog it out in the cage. Nazri Sutari is one of my favourite. This Singaporean nick name Pork chop usually walks around close to 77kg, but when it comes to fight week, he will cut to 70kg and looked ripped! A former national fencer he started his MMA career in Singapore promotion Rebel FC and Singapore Fighting Championship. Nazri is a risk taker and will not hesitate to throw caution to the wind to outstrike his opponent. I believe It’s going to be a explosive match between him and Alfred Leko from Indonesia.

Theeban Govindasamy

Karate stylist Theeban will also vie for a spot in the Grand Finals. Theeban reached the semi-finals last year only to fall to Meeraj the eventual welterweight champion.

But again knowing the huge potential in him MIMMA offered him a fight vs Sabahan and MIMMA1 heavyweight champion Adrian Tham. Theeban uses his long reach and Karate move to control Adrian. But Adrian manage to dominate using superior BJJ skills to win the fight.

Fight fans, get your fan ready, or turn up the A/C. Don't forget to pour yourself an ice cold drinks....coz it's gonna be a hot hot semi finals. Make sure you tune in to RTM TV1 for some pass fights to warm up yourself. Check out MIMMA's website for live streaming.