GOLDEN WARRIOR FC - Laying the golden path for fighters

MMA is still relatively a young sports in Malaysia, but it's growing fast. Malaysian fight fans are a fortunate bunch; because even though MMA events does not rake in big bucks, there are still many promoters out there that are putting in good and commendable effort to organise MMA events. 

Happening annually in Petaling Jaya is the mother of all MMA event; the well known MIMMA, which now is into it's 5th season and has switched to a league format. It's considered the biggest and most well organised amatuer MMA competition in Asia, if not the world. MIMMA has unearth & groomed many Malaysian MMA talents.

Growing stronger and bigger down south is the Ultimate Beatdown. The grand daddy of MMA event in Malaysia. Founded by Melvin Yeoh, it's reputation as the pioneer and the longest running MMA event in Malaysia is enough to bring in the crowds. It also received good supports from it's fans from Singapore. 

Across South China Sea to East Malaysia, Fight Fest, Jesselton Fight League and Borneo Amatuer Challenge, Rampage MMA FC is keeping Borneo MMA fighters busy and the scene vibrant.

Meanwhile up north of Malaysia, after a few business partner change and new sponsors coming in, an MMA promotion that used to be called Warrior FC, now is reborn as a golden child call Golden Warriors Fighting Championship (GWFC). GWFC launched it's first event in July 2017, with 6 bouts which is a mixture of amateur and pro MMA fights with one Pro Kickboxing bout thrown in.

Matt Pellino famed for being the host and commentator for MIMMA played the role as matchmaker and the emcee for the event. That inaugural event was launched with much fanfare by the organisers whom brought in a number of martial arts celebrities to hype up the promotion. A day prior to fight night, Charity Campaign with the Champions was held outside K-One MMA Academy which is open to the public.

On stage was

• Legendary MuayThai fighter Saenchai,
• Ev Ting (Malaysia's MMA superstar and ONE Championship No.1 Lightweight contender),
• Thai MuayThai star and model, Parinya Jaroenphon, whom life is base upon for the 2003 Thai movie The Beautiful Boxer. 
• Filipino boxer, Carlo Magali (WBC - OPBF Silver Champion )
• Cai Zongju (WIBA/GBU & IBF World No.2)
• Li Qiang (Ambassador of China Sports University)

The stars was there to promote a charity drive for orphanage homes in Penang. The drive not only has the objective of collecting funds for the homes but also to create more awareness and to motivate & inspired the children. At the same time K-One MMA Academy also celebrated it's 16th anniversary with plenty of great offer for gym membership and lucky draw prizes. The presence of those martial arts celebrities adds colours and vibrancy to the celebration.

Initially the main event was scheduled for Ali Motamed of Tiger Muay Thai fighting Rodian Menchavez - Catalan Fighting System, Philipines; but Ali pulled out due to injuries and organiser scrambled to look for an opponent. Mohd Rizal from Team Karabaw Sabah stepped up to fill the void.

Organiser decided to move up the initial co-main event to the main event. Pitting homeboy Penangite Joshua Khiew, representing Penang Top Team vs Shaqueme 'Shem' Rock from England representing Monarchy MMA Gym 

The fight night on 22 July was dubbed Night of Warriors. The MMA cage was decked with gold trimmings on all the pillars. Fighters was fitted with shiny gold MMA gloves! It certainly feels like a scene from Gold Finger James Bond movie and made GWFC visually memorable. Though I'm not sure wheter the reflective gold trimmings distracted the fighters or not. Imagine bring hit by a fist of gold...hmmm.  

It was an action packed night. Out of the 6 bouts, four ended with finish and two went to the judges. Monarchy MMA celebrated a great night with three of their fighters, Mostafa Radi, Mehdi Begheri, and Shaqueme 'Shem' Rock enjoying a victorious night; Hussain Jan Turi fought a good fight but losing by judges decision.

Full results

Pro Kickboxing: Chian Kai Chee vs Mohd Al Hafiz

Co-main event: Mohd Rizal vs Menchavez

The fight between Shem and Joshua was supposed to go down in January under the Warrior Fight Challenge brand, but as it goes, WFC is now defunct and a new golden child now takes over it's place.

This was a pro debut for both fighters, and Shem is out to make a statement to get the attention of ONE Championship. He certainly did, by winning in emphatic fashion. Bringing the fight easily to the ground. Mounted Joshua, transition to a triangle and ending with an armbar all in round 1.

the team behind GWFC 1

After a successful launch for their first event, Golden Warrior FC 2 will be held in Penang's K-One MMA Academy this 9 Sept 2017. Tickets will be sold at RM88 and MMA fans can sit cage side close to the action or choose to watch fights from seats on elevated platform that provide a great view of the whole golden cage.

This time 4 amateur MMA fight plus 4 pro fight will go down in the fight night dubbed as The Golden Fight.

For the amateur card, the highlight will be MIMMA Superstar, 3 times Flyweight Champion Seah Zhang Yu making a return to the MMA cage to fight an opponent from India.

For the Pro cards, a Battle of Borneo is in store where two of Borneo's best flyweight will have a rematch. Mohd Hasbullah of Team Karabaw will rematch Dean Hamsah. The last time they met was in the grand final of Jesselton Fight League in 2015, Hasbullah won and became JFL's bantamweight Champion. Expect an explosive match for these two.

Monarchy MMA representative Shaqueme and Mehdi Begheri will return to GWFC. They will be feature as the top two bouts of the night.

Shem will be facing a newcomer, Ernest Tang from Hong Kong, for the co-main event. While Iranian Mehdi Begheri whom is a wrestling coach in Monarchy will face Norshewan of Pakistan

Below is the full fight cards

Amateur 

Featherweight

Bin Jimmy (MAS) vs Ashvin Singh (SG)

Bantamweight
Aaron Lo (MAS) vs Daniel Hakeem (MAS)

Lightweight
Hamizan Jammalulai vs Rudransh Azad (IND)

Flyweight
Seah Zhang Yu (MAS) vs Navdeep Agarwal (IND)

PRO

Flyweight
Mohd Hasbullah (MAS) vs Dean Hamsah (MAS)

Featherweight
Riko Chen (IDN) vs Donald Tong (HKG)

Lightweight (Co-Main Event)
Shaqueme Rock (ENG) vs Ern Tang (HKG)

Middleweight (Main Event)
Nosherwan Khanzada (PAK) vs Mehdi Bagheri (IRN)

SEAH ZHANG YU : FORGING HIS OWN DESTINY

Seah Zhang Yu's MIMMA journey

History was created on 8 OCT 2016 in Stadium Negara, as Seah Zhang Yu only at 20, became the first person to win the MIMMA Flyweight belt 3 time in a row.

At just 20 this year, Zhang Yu has stood the test of time. Where most defending champion may feel some kind of cage rust due to lack of time spend competitively in the cage. Add on to the fact that they have to face a challenger so hungry to wrest the belt from them, a defending champion actually face an uphill task of keeping motivated and physically prepare for battle.

Zhang Yu already created a sensation in 2014, MIMMA Season 2. Losing to Muhd Aiman by choke in the semi-finals, Zhang Yu was already prepared to go the grand finals as a spectator. Until a fated phone call from MIMMA asking him if he is willing to take the fight in the grand finals to challenge season 1 champ, Kenny Yap. This was due to Aiman failing to make weight.

Totally taken aback with this situation, Zhang Yu was undecided as that morning itself he just had a huge meal and still have class to attend, further more to cut weight and travel from Penang in less than 24 hour is absolutely a huge challenge. But after a discussion with his family and coach, he decided to go for it. And as the fairy tale like story goes, Zhang Yu went on to KO Kenny Yap at 2:51 of the first round.

Creating a sensation in MIMMA2 : Grand finals ( pix by Mahesan Selladurai)

In MIMMA season 3 last year, facing a formidable Dhiaaul Amal. Zhang Yu proof that winning season 2 was not a fluke as he showed his striking accuracy and durability in the 5 round war, thus defended his belt by unanimous decision.

An all out slug fest vs Dhiaal Amal in 2015 ( pix by YK TANG)

Executing his trade mark salute after defending his FLyweight belt in 2015( pix by YK TANG)

The Season 4 challenge

This season he faced a fighter with tons of experience, Eddey Kalai. It was a battle of techniques as Eddey is an accomplished ex national boxer and Zhang Yu had to deal with his fast hands. This is the 2nd time Zhang Yu is facing Eddey. The first time was in 2014, MIMMA season 2, where he beat Eddey in the semi-finals.

Meeting Eddey for the 2nd time in the cage

Zhang Yu entered the stadium to a Chinese song name "Guang Ming" by his favourite artist Wang Feng. The bunch of 3S MMA supporters around the stage was boisterous as he walked in confidently and acknowledging them.

Walk out ( pix by YK TANG )

In round one Zhang Yu open up many viscous leg kick and trade punches with Eddey.

The second round Zhang Yu connected early with a strong head kick. Eddey closed in and clinch on the cage with some good knees, a scramble ensue and Zhang Yu end on top. Eddey tries to get up and Zhang Yu sunk in a guillotine.

Eddey defend by push on to the cage and land with side control but Zhang Yu didn’t let go, instead he tighten his grip…Eddey didn’t give up, it was deep but amazingly he managed to pop out his head. Eddey drop punches on Zhang Yu’s left rib. Round end with Zhang Yu on top trapping Eddey’s right arm and raining strikes on Eddey’s face.

Pix by YK TANG

3rd round, Zhang Yu threw kicks to keep Eddey at bay. One inside low kick landed on groin and referee Isaac gave Eddey some time out. Fight continue, Zhang Yu lands a right and then changed level to attempt a take down. Pushed Eddey to the cage. Eddey attempt a standing guillotine. Zhang Yu stayed calm, level change and got a double leg and land on top of Eddey. Zhang Yu pass guard and stood up and tried to land a huge punch from top.

Pix by YK TANG

Eddey uses his legs to keep his distance. Zhang Yu manage to step in and came in connecting with two right bombs. Eddey uses his butterfly guard to kept Zhang Yu from mounting. Zhang Yu in side control, dropping heavy punches with his right. Eddey turned to protect his face and gave his back.

Zhang Yu with legs hook in, cross his hands for a rear naked choke as the 10 seconds mark sounded…he held on. Eddey drop his right hand on the canvas, and Zhang Yu released. There was a short commotion, Zhang Yu claim it was a tap and Eddey was already unconscious; but he awake right after Zhang Yu release the choke. Referee didn’t see the tap, as both fighters went back to their corner and Zhang Yu ask for a replay, head judge call a TKO decision, Zhang Yu won by rear naked choke at round 3, 2:58, thus creating MIMMA history as the only person to win the flyweight belt 3 times in succession.

Zhang Yu in his victory speech hoisted the belt together with Eddey and he showed respect to Eddey as in his mid thirties and having a full time job and a wife and kid is still fighting fit.

The RNC that end the fight

A tough opponent will bring out the best in you

Customary selfie...the 3rd time with announcer Jon Nut

The story of Zhang Yu

Zhang Yu’s story began in Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai, Penang, where he was born to a family of 3 sister. He is the 3rd child and the only son. He grew up in Lunas Kedah, it was this time that his father's family business faced economic downturn and eventually closed. Faced with financial hardship, his father had to take up different jobs and work extra hard to provide for the family. This taught Zhang Yu about perseverance and determination.

Zhang Yu and his family

His parents always emphasize the importance of education to their children
Taking this seriously to heart, Zhang Yu focus his mind on his studies. Scoring 7As when he attended SJKC Hwa Min Lunas. And when in his high school in SMK Bukit Mertajam, he scored 8As for his PMR and graduated with 10As in his SPM!

Aceing his SPM with 10As

Not only academically a high achiever, Zhang Yu balanced it out by being extensively active in his extra-curricular activities in schools. He was SMK Bukit Mertajam 2013 Sportsman of the year. He represented his schools in track & field (1500M, 5000m, Cross Country race), Badminton, Muaythai, Wushu, Chess and Drama. His highlight was when he won the Muaythai silver medal when he represented Penang in SUKMA 2013.

Zhang Yu and his high school buddies

Having such a great achievement in academics and sports it was indeed very disappointing that his application to the public university was not successful; he didn't even get an offer into the matriculation program. Having a fighter's heart, he decided to fight for his own future rather than sulking on that matter, he entered KDU College Penang for a diploma program and continued his martial arts journey.

His martial arts journey

Zhang Yu's father was a Muaythai practitioner when he was young; He encourage Zhang Yu to pick it up as a sports to keep himself fit and also a way for self-defense. Bringing Zhang Yu to 3S MMA Center when he was only 16.

Zhang Yu met 3S MMA's founder Coach Kenny Ng. Whom has been instrumental in Zhang Yu's development as a MMA athlete.

Coach Kenny Ng recalling the time he met Zhang Yu

As a young boy Zhang Yu was inspired by Mohammad Ali. Even before he train MMA, Zhang Yu's always watched Ali's fight, trainings and interview.

But training under coach Kenny, truly gave Zhang Yu a real taste of what works and what don’t. In terms of technique coach Kenny always analyze it thoroughly to ensure the practicality of it in real fight. Zhang Yu also admired how at his age, coach Kenny is still fighting fit and not only constantly impart his vast knowledge of martial arts to him but also act as a leadership figure in terms of molding his behavior and character.

Coach Kenny and his 3S Fight team

For two years Coach Kenny mold Zhang Yu to be a versatile and explosive fighter. Winning Muaythai SUKMA Silver and also Inter-School Wushu Sanda Gold. When Zhang Yu turned 18, Coach Kenny knew that his time has come for another level, and he signed Zhang Yu up for MIMMA try out in Penang in 2014. And the rest, as they say is history.

3 belt full, (original photo by Mahesan)

The post fight interview

Warriors of Borneo met up with Zhang Yu after his historic victory to talk about the fight.

What was your game plan going into this fight?
To be honest, I'm not really a game plan guy. I just be myself when I fight, but I always go with the flow, which means I will fight every fighter differently depends on how they fight me. Just like what Bruce lee once said, Be water, my friend. Anyway, we are fighting MMA, of course I'm trying to mix things up.

How do you deal with Eddey’s hand speed and who do you think had more power?
His hand speed was tremendously fast! I'm in super focus mode to look out for his punches. Power wise, I supposed I'm stronger than him because I'm able to take him down and perform my control skills in every way.

Did you practice more ground game for this fight, knowing Eddey’s boxing skills?
I practice evenly. My training schedule consists of everything. But what I practice most is movements, strikes, takedown and controls.

The choke before the time’s up, tell us about that moment?
Yes, I was performing a tight RNC and I knew he certainly couldn't escape the choke but I'm worried about the time. And when he tapped, the referee didn't see it. I'm thankful & glad that head judge saw it and called it.

Did you feel him tap? Was he conscious when the horn blow?
I saw he tapped with my eyes, a very clear tap. He was almost out of conscious already as he knew it was last 10 seconds he was hoping the bell could ring before he got choked out.

Do you study your opponent before fight?
No, I don't study my opponent a lot, just know their strengths and weaknesses will do. I practice my punches and kicks the most.

Tell us how you celebrate this victory?
I celebrated the win with my family and my teammates. My gym name is 3S, so getting 3 MIMMA belts is really a dream come true. I hope I could be a role model to all of my gym members.

Will we be seing you defending the belt again next year? Or going pro is a consideration?
I will see how it goes, going pro requires a lot of commitment and I still have my degree in uni or college to complete. But I'm always ready to go into professional career if there's an opportunity.

Having the full support from his beloved family gives Zhang Yu the motivation

The 3S MMA family

My selfie with the champ and his coach

 

P.S.
Thank you to fight photography maestro YK Tang and Mahesan for the magnificent action shots

WARRIORS FC - 1st TO ESTABLISH RANKING SYSTEM AND REGULATE SAFETY

As I burnt the midnight oil writing this story, up north in the island of Penang, a team of crew in Gurney Paragon Mall is busy setting up for Warriors FC. Since 2014, Warriors FC (WFC) has been the premier combat sports promotion in the northern region of Malaysia. They have organized a few successful events which not only feature many local martial arts stars but also athlete from outside Malaysia. WFC has also managed to successfully provide a full entertainment package to fight fans by combining an after fight party at clubs where fight fans can mingle and get to meet the fighters and their team.

Pass WFC events

But this Sunday fight ( 31 JUL 2016 ) will see WFC taking a very important steps towards improving the standard of combat sports in this country. WFC is setting up a ranking system for all weight categories. Sunday event is not a one off fight event to determine the ranking but will be the start as WFC will continuously organise series of events to further deepen the rank for each weight category. This will be the first combat sports promotion in Malaysia to do such ranking, which usually is done by bigger organization such as Japan’s Shooto, UFC, Bellator and K1.

Sunday’s event will be led by a pro card in welterweight. WFC also will be the first in Malaysia to feature the 4-men Grand Prix in 2 separate divisions as the launch of Warriors Fighting Championship MMA ranking system. The Grand Prix tournament will witness an athlete fight twice in one night to gain the top spot of the ranking.

THE LIST OF FIGHT IS AS FOLLOWS: -

Professional MMA Welterweight (under 77.1 kg)
Marlon Santos Souza (Brazil) VS Arben “Bigbang” Escayo (Philippines)
Amateur MMA Featherweight – Grand Prix (under 65.8 kg)
Loc Tranquang (Vietnam)
Farid Arif (Malaysia)
Nursultan Amangeldiev (Kazakhstan)
Shareh Nasrullah (Malaysia)
Amateur MMA Flyweight – Grand Prix (under 56.7 kg)
Murugan Silvarajoo (Malaysia)
Hussain Jan Turi (Pakistan)
Akezhan Amangeldin (Kazakhstan)
Nik Alfam (Malaysia)

There will also be 7 Malaysian Amateur MMA and Kickboxing matches for up and coming talents in the local combat sport scene:

Amatuer MMA Heavyweight (120 kg)
Shafiq Marican (Positive Gym) VS Azreel Izzat (Lekir MMA)
Amateur MMA Flyweight (56.7 kg)
Calsen Choong (K One MMA Academy) VS Eddy see (MuayFit)
Amatuer MMA Welterweight (77 kg)
Jason George (K-One MMA Academy) VS Amirul Firdaus (Lekir MMA)
Amatuer MMA Featherweight (66 kg)
Shaik Muhd Afiq (K-One MMA Academy) VS Fadilah Abdul Rahim (PM Fight Club)

Amatuer Kickboxing (68 kg)
Jordan Chin (Tactical gym) VS Samueal Durairaj (Meekhong Muay Thai)
Amatuer Kickboxing (66 kg)
Mervien Raj (Saiprawat Gym) VS Abd Nur Fateh (Tactical Gym)
Amatuer Kickboxing (73 kg)
Wei Ko (Tactical Gym) VS Alif Mokhtar (Lekir MMA)

According to Dominic Dorall. WFC's President and CEO, this ranking system will see an organized structure being implemented where fighters pass records of fights will be recorded and given scores. New comers whom just started their amateur fighting career will be pooled in a division where most of them are also just starting out.

As their record starts to improve, they will be move to a higher division. Eventually fighters that have at least 5 or more amateur fights with respectable results will progress to be a pro in the top divisions. This top divisions again will have 2 group, where one group will be fighters that just turn pro, and the other one are pros that have already fought a couple of times.

As each fighter will be match among fighters in his own divisions, this will create competitiveness to top the group and also avoid mismatch. This is a very important factor as a mismatch can results in serious injuries when fighters skills differs too much.

Top rank fighter will eventually be offered title fight

Ranking system will also create an organize system for fighters to have their fights properly recorded. Experience at IMMAF (International MMA Federation) 2014 was a learning point. At IMMAF 2014 where MIMMA1 champions were sent to Las Vegas to compete representing Malaysia, IMMAF officials scrutinized the fight records of Malaysian fighters and questions some of the fight records which makes our fighters appear to be fighting pro which disqualify them for participating in IMMAF World Championship, which is only for amatuer fighters. It must be noted that in the early days of 2000 – 2014 many fight events in Malaysia were not regulated by any sanctioning bodies and organisers practically run an event base on their own terms and regulations.

Matchmaker FS Cheng going through some detailks with Arben and Marlon

Sunday’s WFC event held at Gurney Paragon Mall is free. Only a few dinner tables will be sold to collect funds for charity which will go to St. Joseph Orphanage and Children Protection Society. Not only just contributing charitable funds, but WARRIORS (WFC) has also started providing a program for youth/athletes to help to grow the sports of MMA in Malaysia.

WFC seeks to discover and develop local MMA talents by being the platform for amateur and professional MMA practitioners to compete and put their highly honed skills and countless hours of dedicated training to the test.

Safety is also a top priorities, especially for a full contact sports like MMA & Kickboxing. The promotion would be the first in Malaysia to regulate a fighters’ license that will ensure the safety of all fighters and promotions. There will be a mandatory blood test (which test for HIV, Hepatitis & STD) to further protect the well-being of the athletes for all WFC MMA events. 

Drawing blood from fighters for blood test

Dominic Dorall. WFC's President and CEO (middle) with his partners from REEBOK 

On 31st July 2016, WFC will be launched by a signing ceremony. This is between WFC Managing Director Dato’ C.C. Ooi , Officiating the partnership of WARRIORS and Reebok Malaysia (under RSH (M) Sdn. Bhd. to activate Reebok related events in Malaysia.

Reebok currently is active in partnership with CrossFit, Les Mills, UFC, Spartan Race (Obstacle Race), Ragnar Relay. This signing will see in the future WARRIORS branded event in various sports events other than combat sports, such as crossfit and obstacle run, all supported strongly by Reebok.

WFC will also be signing a MOU with UiTM to further explore and develop future events as partners.

After the ceremony, the first fight will start at 2.30pm. Come and witness foreign fighters from various countries such as Vietnam, Pakistan and Khazakstan and local Malaysian boys showcasing their talent in martial arts.

Don’t miss the main card fight featuring Brazilian Marlon Santos Souza vs Arben “Bigbang” Escayo of Philippines. Marlon is debuting pro MMA. Arben has a 1-2-0 record and have experience fighting two former UFC fighter; Will Chope and Tommy Harden.

 

Fighting at amateur welterweight meanwhile will be Sabahan Jason George, formerly with Team Karabaw Kota Kinabalu, but have since move to Penang, which he nows represent K-ONE MMA. George will look to collect another win after last July’s Warriors Fight Challenge. George will face Amirul Fidaus of Lekir MMA.

For more information about WFC’s events and partnership enquiries, please visit www.facebook.com/WarriorFCAsia.