MMA Showdown of the biggest fight card yet for FMD

When FMD released it's 13th edition poster....using a clever play of the 1987 Predator movie starred by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It got my attention, because that movie till today is my all time favorite movie. and with this, ...I know FMD 13 is gonna be awesome!

How awesome is that?...How about matching two ex UFC fighters together in the main card and a mouth watering featherweight fight. In the main event is Lightweight title fight between Will 'The Kill' Chope vs Tommy 'Wildcard' Hayden. As for featherweight, MMA standout Ali Motamed from Phuket's Tiger Muay Thai will fight American Luke Adams of Singapore's Juggernaught Fight Club. 

Calm before the storm...Will and Tommy having a drink at FMD's press con

Okay before we get all excited about the fights, let's just go back a bit in time to see how FMD has developed over the years. The party theme fights started with DARE. It was the earliest MMA promotions in Thailand, started in 2011. They held a few shows till 2013. American Jon Nutt was their face, emcee and practically coordinate almost everything for DARE. Eventually he left and formed Full Metal Dojo (FMD) on his own in 2014.

Many would think MMA would not flourish in Thailand given that the Thais are very protective of their Muaythai heritage. But with clever marketing, and a passion to bring people together for a wild good time, Jon was able to combine party theme, music, tourism and fight sports into one entertaining show. That is FMD, with an attitude. 



FMD also has play a huge role in showcasing the best new talents from Thailand and from around the region. Bringing more attention to the fight gyms in Thailand and growing the sports of MMA in this Land of Smiles

To date, FMD has consistently held shows since June 2014 and it has build itself to a legendary status in Asia as a unique MMA event. The fights are explosives and intense, the music is mesmerizing and hip moving, the people are cool and fun loving. If the bigger MMA organisation shows are mostly like attending a rock concert, attending FMD is like going to a underground metal or punk gig. It's trully an unforgettably enjoyable experience.

Jon is a very familiar face in Asia's MMA. Aside from his own FMD, he has hosted and involved in the very successful amateur MMA tournament in Malaysia - MIMMA, regional boxing event, Songkran MMA, Singapore Fighting Championship and emcee for Patong Boxing Stadium from for 2 years.

I'm with Jon at MIMMA 2016 Grand Final

His voice is distinctively macho and he emcee very well in providing the audience with bits of infor without talking too much to educate them on MMA. He always has the right things to say to draw them deeper into the fights. Sponsors also like him as he knows how to effectively promote and highlight them without being too hard sell.



Jon was having a hectic week as FMD 13 draws closer, at the same time his wife was heavily pregnant and when Warriors of Borneo talked to him, Jon was in the hospital waiting for his baby. ( He is now a proud father of a baby boy...Congratulations! )

Tell us about the concept of FMD 13: Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of.
It's a play on the songs by Alicia Keys, New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of. The idea from the songs was joke amongst friends actually.  If you don't know, well...my organisation are only made of 3 people, whereas other organisation ARE organisation. We're just a couple of guys that do this...me, Ree Webster and Richard Arthur.

Bangkok is where we represent. We've always consider it concrete jungle where dreams are made of, because, well New York was where immigrant used to go, all three of us are immigrants in Thailand and Bangkok is the spot where we feel most comfortable in life and hence it is the place where dreams are made of.




It's been a journey of more than 2 years for FMD since 2014, through the journey what has been the significant breakthrough?
Yea we've done 12 shows since June 2014. For any organisation, doing a steady amount of shows yearly, it Is what puts you in the next level of being a larger and more respected shows that has more integrity. Our shows are a parties. Our shows are literally party, not just MMA. You're not in a gym, not in a stadium, you're in a club! 

And the significant breakthrough was between me leaving DARE and starting FMD, realising that in all honesty, my shows and my events is different and sets apart from all other shows that just do MMA. Also the breakthrough is realising the difference between UFC fans and MMA fans. 

There are really not many MMA fans. Pretty much anybody that says they are MMA fans are actually just UFC fans and they won't go support local shows and watch other shows such as Bellator, WSOF, ONE or FMD. They just care about the UFC.

So the breakthrough that makes FMD successful is realizing that people that actually pay for shows, we realized are not MMA or UFC fans....we made our own fans, we made FMD fans. 

People that are comin' to Bangkok and they wanna party, they want to hear great music and they want to see great fights. So what sets us apart is that we have actually made our own fan base. A lot of them are actually fans and just friends of mine that just wanna come watch a great live action show, a real live 80s or 90s action movie if you will.





Jon has been trying a few times to make Will vs Tommy happened. It was planned twice but was scrapped as both fighters got injured in their muaythai fight. But this time it is finally materializing and Jon has put this main card as a Lightweight title fight, and with Full Metal Dojo style, the champion will not be awarded a big huge belt but instead a slick life size Samurai sword!

OK now back to the fights that will go down this Saturday. 

At his current record stands at 33-12-0, Will 'The Kill' Chope is considered the busiest fighters in MMA. He fights almost every month. Not just in MMA, but he also takes up Muaythai, boxing and kickboxing match. Last year alone he fought 15 times, 10 MMA, 2 K1, 2 Muay Thai,1 Pro Boxing. 

Will has the ambition of going down in history as the fighter with most fight...he is eyeing to beat Dan Severn's record of 101-19-7 and the still active Jeremy Horns' record of 91-23. At only 26, Will looks like a potential heir to that title.Will is based in Thailand and fighting is his full time job that puts food on his table and provides for his family. 

Asked on how his is able to keep injury free to fight regularly...
"Part luck, Part just training and fighting smart. I got a lot of experience and ring time. I know my limits. But accidents do happen...but I just have to recover and don't use them as excuses"

In an interview with John Hyon Ko of The Fight Nation. Will explained that there are ways to fight regularly, one just have to keep busy and take up any fights that come along. He said that a lot of fighters are like divas, they want to choose their opponent, their own timing and their choice of place...they want everything in their favor. 

So if fighters want to make a living out of fighting they can't behave that way. Will said lots of fighters he met admire how he can fight every month, but most of them don't really willing to do it. ( catch the interview in this link )

Will fought in UFC in 2014, losing to Max Halloway, the current UFC Interim Featherweight Champion. Most of his fights are main event feature. In April 2016, Will became URCC's Lightweight Champion, but he lost the title to Brazilian Fabrício Guerreiro last month at URCC 29

Considered the tallest Lightweight in MMA at 6ft 4, he uses his reach advantage fully to keep opponents at bay as he peppered them with strikes using his long limbs. And when he gets in the pocket, he lets loose his knees and those long limb will also swiftly sneak in for a choke.


On the opposite side of the cage is Tommy Hayden. He has a record of 10-3-0. He is a person that likes to scrap. 

As Jon Nutt puts it, ...
" I personally likes a fighter that really likes fighting, not just showing they like fighting. Tommy is a type of guy that if someone punch him in the face, he just smiles, that's the type of fighters I like and I want on my card."

Tommy was active in the American regional MMA scene till he was offered to fight at The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 in 2009. He lost that fight. He was back in UFC in 2012, fought twice but lost to Fabrício Camões and Dennis Bermudez.

He came to Thailand to refocus and coach at Bangkok Fight Lab. Tommy last fought in a China MMA promotion - WKG in Jan this year wining by submission in round 2. 

Ask about his take on fighting...
"Fighting to me is LOVE. It sorta reminds of of obsession. Honestly fighting is fear, its emotion, its anxiety, its happiness, its sadness, its everything roll into one, its life.

When I jump out of a plane with a parachute, that's fun. When I'm 100ft under water watching sharks swimming around, that's fun. When I'm doing something that could get me kill, that's fun for me. That's life for me. 

So every time I get to step in the cage, that is real life. That's when I experience my true self. That's when I get to express myself"

It's a great match and this is the card with the most experience fighters ever put up in FMD. Will is a striker and Tommy is a wrestler! Opposites attract and sure fire mayhem in FMD cage when the bell rings!

The Featherweight fight between Ali Motamed and Luke Adams is also a promising fight that will possibly be the fight of the night. Initially Iranian Ali was schedule to met ex UFC fighter Rocky Lee, but Rocky could not make it and it looks like Ali will see no action in the cage.

But a last minute arrangement materialize and the accomplished American Luke Adams stepped up to offer himself. Luke started his pro MMA career fighting in the regional MMA scene around California for 6 years.

He is now a coach in Singapore's acclaim fight gym Juggernaut Fight Club. Luke is riding on a 6 fight winning streak and all these 6 victory is finishes with either strikes or submission, that never goes the distance.

Iranian born Ali is a young fighter that started his amateur MMA fights in Malaysia and Thailand. He fights out of Tiger Muay Thai. In all his 9 amateur fights, 8 were victorious. Ali turned pro in 2016, fighting in China's Bullet Fly FC. He is now on a 3 fights winning streak. Luke is the most experience fighter Ali has met so far and a victory over him will certainly established Ali as a hot talent for the bigger organisations.

pix credit: David Ash of Singapore Maven

3 pro and 8 ammy cards are schedule this Friday. And all this will go down at Bangkok's happening night club, INSANITY NIGHT CLUB. Tickets is available at ticketmelon.com and at the door. 

And if you are not in Bangkok, do your self a favor, grab yourself a cold beer or any other beverage of your choice, some chips or buffolo wings ( if you are there, you can order it from the HOOTERS girls ), glue yourself in front of your computer or smartphone and click on to Full Metal Dojo FB and watch it on live stream!

Hooters...babyyyy. Pix credits :Pugilpix.com

Thanks to all the sponsors that is making FMD 13 happen

Get ready for an unforgettable night!

Keanu Subba - Back to the Fight!

2 July 2016. 22 years old Malaysian Keanu Subba will step on to Hefei Olympic Sports Center in China. He will be challenging China’s raising star Li Kai Wen in a featherweight match for ONE: Dynasty of Champion.

Keanu wears his walk-out tees with “Kaatar Hunnu Bhanda Marnu Ramro”, these words blaze across the logo that carries two Kukri knifes criss crossing in the middle. Keanu explains that the motto stands for: Better to Die Than be a Coward. Which sums ups the warrior spirit of the legendary Gurkhas soldiers.

Pix credits: ONE Championship poster & YK Tang Photography

This is what Keanu live by. Proud of his Nepalese heritage from his father side, Keanu is the younger brother of Gianni, from the Subba siblings. Both of them fight in ONE Championship, the powerhouse MMA organization in Asia.

Born in Hawaii to a Nepalese father and Chinese Malaysian mother, he grew up in Kuala Lumpur and attended SJKC Lai Chee for Primary school and Sekolah Sri Bestari before moving to the USA for high school. There his father encouraged the two sons to learn TaeKwon-Do. Keanu also kept himself active by dabbling into rugby and Krav Maga.

He was already interested in MMA when he watched the 1st season of UFC: The Ultimate Fighter, way back in 2005. Idolizing the winner, who is now UFC veteran Diego Sanchez.

Back in Malaysia, he joined TNT Kickboxing and learned from Master Khoo Meng Yang. His competitive nature eventually led him to join F3 Freestyle Fighting in 2011 in a fight which he lost to AJ Pyro. He continued training in Kambiz Warrior for striking and learned BJJ from Samir Mrabet. The following year he won a fight in Malaysian Fighting Championship, but those were the early cowboys days of MMA in Malaysia where most matches were not sanctioned and regulated properly.

The real journey actually began for him in 2013; Under the tutelage of American wrestler Matt Pellino at Muayfit, Keanu joined the 1st MIMMA (Malaysian Invasion MMA). In the final against Muhammad Ikram, he won the featherweight belt by KO in round 1 with an explosive display of punches.

Achieveing the pinnacle of Malaysia amateur MMA as MIMMA 1 & 2 Featherweight Champion

In 2014, together with other MIMMA champion he represented Malaysia for IMMAF (International MMA Federation) World Championship. Collecting a win and a loss. In MIMMA season 2 with more fight experience and continued improvement under Matt plus the stint in Tiger Muay Thai, he defended his belt; again by way of TKO with a volley of punches in round 1 against Joshua Khiew.

with the other MIMMA1 Champions representing Malaysia to IMMAF 2014 World Championship. 

Defending his featherweight belt in MIMMA2

with  his wrestling and MMA coach Matt Pellino

Eventually the offer came from ONE Championship for him to turn pro. Oct 2015, ONE: Tigers of Asia, Keanu enters the ONE’s oval cage vs French, fighter - Florian Garel. Perhaps nervous on his debut, Keanu was taken down two times and misses on a few strikes combo, but as the minutes goes by Keanu picked up steam and with one minute left on the clock, executed a trip, mounted Florian and rained ground and pound. Then he followed with some nasty sharp kukri like elbows. The referee stopped the fight just 10 seconds from the belt in round 1.

Victorious in his 1st pro fight vs Florian Garel. Pix credits: YK Tang Photography

In the same night, his brother Gianni whom already had 6 fights in ONE, was also victorious against Brazilian Almiro Barros. As an elder brother with more fight experience, Gianni has been instrumental in guiding and helping Keanu develop as a fighter. They enjoy discussing and analyzing fights and of course training and testing out new techniques together.

with brother and mentor Gianni Subba

For their parents, having two sons whom choose to have MMA as a career was not easy in the beginning. They were rather tentative at first because they do not like to see her sons getting hurt. But Papa Subba sees that his sons are really passionate and have a great potential to excel in this field and eventually supported them fully. He had to do the convincing to his wife for his sons.

with papa Subba, giving his two sons his blessings and full support in their fight career

Keanu 2nd pro fight was against ex Malaysian Karate champion Rayner Kinsiong of Team Karabaw Sabah. They met in the cage in Jan 2016 at ONE: Clash of Heroes. Definitely looking more confident the 2nd time around, Keanu uses his range to control the fight. Ducking under Rayner’s punch, Keanu shoots in and got a take down with a leg trip. In Rayner’s half guard, Keanu was still able to strike down with elbows and punches and earn himself another TKO win.

en route to his 2nd win in ONE Championship vs Rayner Kinsiong

As he was on a roll, Christian Lee of Singapore was also making wave, winning 3 times in the Oval cage...the clash of these two young stalwarts was planned for Mac 2016 at ONE: Union of Warriors. Keanu was really psyche up and trained hard for this fight. But unfortunately injured his elbow and had to pull out. Keanu was replaced by Anthony Engelan whom Christian defeated by TKO.

As a pro fighter, Keanu knows that a fighter’s down time is a bane. Diligently he went to therapy and do light training, in time he was able to heal quickly and got the doctor’s green light to fight again. Come this Saturday, Keanu’s journey towards MMA glory continue as he faces China’s featherweight tournament champion, Li Kai Wen.

Warriors of Borneo managed to catch Keanu out of his hectic training schedule in Bali Muaythai & MMA for a short interview.

How is your arm? Completely healed? how long did you had to rest before going training again?
My elbow is about 70-80 percent healed it still bugs me here and there but I have to live with it. Initially 6 months but thanks to the professional team at TheKL Skyclinic and Lifestyle Chiropractor I was back in training in 2 and a half months.

getting the best treatmement at The KL Sky Clinic

Subba brothers with Mr JC Lim owner of LifeStyle Chiropractic (next to Gianni) & Dr Ivan (next to Keanu) , 
who specially treat MMA athletes.

As a pro fighter...are you able to make a living ? Do you have to take up other job?
It depends what shows you're fighting for. ONE Championship pays better than the rest in South East Asia . It's tough but with each fight you get more money so it only gets easier.



How long is your fight camp in Bali for this fight?
3 weeks fight camp short notice but no excuses!

During the fight camp how often do you go back to Malaysia?
I go back every month for a week.


What is the best part of life you like about Malaysia?
Spending time with family and girlfriend and friends for sure.

What is your favourite Malaysian food?
Nasi lemak ayam rendang, fish head noodle soup, curry laksa, char keow teow, the list is endless!

What is the food like during training in Bali? -What is your fav cheat meal there in Bali?
I eat really clean during fight camp high on good fats and good carbs with good protein and strictly no carbs at night.
Favorite cheat meal is definitely a huge burrito from Taco Casa.


Do you consider yourself a balance fighter? Which aspect of the game you would like to see more improvement?
I consider myself pretty well rounded but I have so much more to learn. The learning and growth is endless.

Pix credits: YK Tang Photography

After the cancel fight with Christian, he has gone on to win 3 fights with finishes, would you think this fight with Li Kai Wen tougher than facing Christian?
It's a different fight. Christian has better grappling while Li Kai wen has better wrestling. They're both good in their own ways .

Your fight vs Rayner was in a catchweight close to welterweight, you are going back to feather now...is this your natural weight?
Definitely I felt really slow my last fight. I'm definitely more comfortable at 70.3 walk around weight.

Li Kai Wen looks like a heavy hitter, what will be you strategy going into this fight?
You'll just have to wait and see in China!

The media present you as a shy and quiet person...what is the real Keanu like?
I like to observe and get to know people better before I open up more. I like to remain calm and respectful to everyone but at the same time cautious with how I deal with different individuals.

Pix credits: YK Tang Photography

How do you cope with the media attention when u were successful in MIMMA?
It was tough at first because I'm not really good with my words but eventually I got the hang of it.

Who do you see have the most potential in the current MIMMA pool?
Theeban has a really unique style much like Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Lyoto Machida. He just needs to get more loose and use his Karate more. Hui Keng Fai has beautiful timing on his punches and slick grappling skills. I can see them winning this year for sure.

Theeban ( L ) and Hui Keng Fai ( R). Pix credits: YK Tang Photography

Malaysia already has MIMMA, touted as the best amateur tournament in Asia if not the world, what else do you see that Malaysia need to move forward in MMA?
TuneTalk/Jason Lo definitely changed Malaysian MMA forever. I would say we need more experienced MMA coaches and more cross training among fighters. It would also be ideal to have a rule where you would have to have at least 5 amateur wins before you're allowed to turn Pro.

What type of music do you listen to? What kinda music motivate u when you train?
Reggae, Tibetan music, and some motivational music videos.

What is your idea of chillin’ when u take a break from training?
Definitely spending time and catching up with my girlfriend and family.

Do you think ONE with the Global Rules set present a more dangerous fights compare to UFC Unified Rules Set?
The Global rule set is definitely more like a real life fight situation. You can't just lay on your back and chill. You got guys trying to kick your head off so I would say that it's more realistic.

Coming from a Nepalese & Chinese parentage, do you have any particular pre fight habits or taboo?
Not really, I just believe that I've put all the hard work in and I just have to go out there and perform. 

Who is your favorite fighter? and why?
Gianni Subba. Because he's my brother and I can relate a lot to his style.




Thank you very much for your time Keanu. Wishing you all the best in China!