BORNEO INVASION @ MIMMA3 - MELVIN KHO

The proverbial Bad Boy of Kuching.

Melvin is Jace Law's team mate in Gymbox. They knew each other from street dance activities. These guys can shuffle! Later on in 2012 Jace took up Muaythai in a popular Muaythai gym in Kuching. Melvin enquire Jace about it and they started to train together there. In 2013 Jace ws gearing up for a Muaythai fight, but his gym replaced him with another fighter. Feeling dejected, both of them left and joined Gymbox and became the founding member and the pioneer of MMA in Kuching.

Still living with his parents and brother, Melvin work part time in Gymbox, this gives him more opportunity to do what he loves...training. Melvin love challenges, and MMA suits him well. He loves the intensity and the wide area it covers as a complete martial art. To Melvin, there's so much to learn and the learning never stops, everyday there are new skills to acquire and this gives him the motivation and purpose. MMA also gives Melvin direction in life, he's now very focus on training compare to the time when he just left school and feeling lost.

Melvin is born in 1992 year of the Monkey in chinese zodiac. He will create 'mischief' in the cage vs Gino Tan of Penang. Both has been exchanging challenges online and things looks like going to heat up to the max come this 10.10.15.

He qualified for Grand Finals in his fight vs Teh Kah Wei, whom was disqualified due to illegal move ( neck crank ). Gino will be Melvin's ultimate test as he is an experience guy with fights in Ultimate Beatdown and Elitez Fight Night.

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You are from Kuching right? Tell me about yourself.

Yes I am from kuching. I live with my grandma,parent and a younger brother. 

My dad had already retired and my mom is a teacher. 

I dislikes following rules made by others, so I prefers to make my own. 

I’m an individual who definitely marches to the beat of a different drum. 

I’m carefree, spontaneous and daring, I will try just about anything once.

What does it feels like to be in the Grand Finals of MIMMA3? Were you expecting to reach this far?

I feel happy, excited and a little bit nervous reaching the final because I think it’s a whole different experience when fighting inside a stadium with thousands of crowds so the pressure definitely is there. Ya I’m surprise because I can’t deny that I am actually quite lucky this year. My fight record is 2-1 amatuer.



Tell me about your Semi final fight, which your opponent Teh was disqualified.

I respect my every opponent because they are part of my martial art journey and compete with them to make me grow.

As for that fight I believe it wasn't his intention to do the illegal move he might just rush for the finish and didn’t realised its illegal. But what done is done and in that moment I can’t continue to fight so that fight was declared DQ. I know many people wasn’t happy about the result and there are some humans that say I was acting but I don’t really care what they think. It’s my journey it’s not theirs. Even I’m not happy with this win either but I can’t dwell on the past, I’m looking forward to prove myself even more in the grand finals.

So what’s your plan for Gino?

Depends on the situation because its MMA I’m prepared for striking as well as ground so we will see.

Have you studied his fighting styles?

No. Until now I haven’t studied any of my opponent. My coach will do it for me so I just follow his game plan.
And we do a lot of situational drills so I believe in my ability of adapting to situation.

How was it training at the fame TMT in Phuket?

Training in TMT is one of the goods time that I will remember in my life. The training is tough it strengthens me physically and mentally, and I learned some great techniques there with some high level fighters. After training we are fed with nutritious rich food.
I made some new friends there and had a lot of fun with them so it’s a good time training there.

Are you being recognized in Kuching for your MIMMA fights?
Not really. Because MMA is still very new here in Kuching. But there are family and friends that supported me too.

What do you think of MIMMA?
The support given by the MIMMA's team is phenomenal. They do everything they could to help us in our fight career, bringing more exposure to us.

How is your final preparation like?

Striking, wrestling, groundwork and situational drills. I don’t have to cut weight; my walk around weight is 76-78kg. So I don’t need to cut for welterweight. So the final week is not that intense I will have to just focus on my mental.

How do you unwind?

Usually I will just rest at home after a hard training week or hang out with friends.

What have you to say to Gino?

Gino is my friend now so I hope both of us will give our best and may the best man win!

BORNEO INVASION @ MIMMA3 - JACE LAW

Jason Law or Jace as he like to be called is from Kuching Sarawak. Another nickname that unofficially has been given to him is JKO. Yup, Jace has been collecting KO & TKO enroute to his Grand Final appearance this 10.10.15.

In 2014 MIMMA season 2, Jace won KO & TKO in the initial round but his journey halted at Semis losing by  decision. Knowing that his stand up striking is his forte he is very determine to make amend this year by improving on his grappling. Jace has preparing well under GymBox head coach Matt Pellino. Training with his other high levels team mates they have push each other to be better all the time.

Alongside Jace, Gymbox Kuching will also have Melvin Kho & Ahmadjon in the Grand Finals. His other team mates, Mardonov just won Jesselton Fight League Lightweight title in Sabah on 4.10.15 and Stephen Onn Jenggieng ( MIMMA2 finalist ) won the National Golden Gloves boxing in Sept. With team mates at that high level, there's no doubt Jace had a good training camp to prepare him for his own title match.

Jace won 3 times in the initial round of MIMMA3, winning by 1 KO & 1 TKO, in Semis he met his good friends Samuel Lai of Sabah, perhaps pulling some punches he won by unanimous decision.
But make no mistake, in the Grand Finals Jace won't be showing any mercy for Muhd Hasrul.
Hasrul as the defending champion is also a heavy striker. It will be a good war between two prolific strikers, and bringing back the Lightweight belt to Kuching is Jace ultimate goal.

Let's get to know him a little better...

You can also catch a write up on him and Gymbox on my earlier posting here

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Hi Jace, what is your heritage? Tell me a bit on your family background?
My dad's Chinese and my mom's Filipino so I'm of mixed heritage...and proud of it.

Tell me how you feel reaching the final of MIMMA? Do u expect this?
Well I feel very happy and honoured to reach this grand stage...its like the Wrestlemania of Amateur MMA in Asia.. so yeah I'm super excited! Haha! And yes I do expect it as I've been preparing and training relentlessly for this with a great coach and team helping me and each other out.

There are people labeling you JKO for your regular KO win over your opponent, are you happy with this? or you have another nick name?
Well the JKO thing was actually just a joke among my team mates..obviously a parody of Randy Orton's RKO...They started using the hashtag on facebook and instagram and next thing you know I'm being promoted as JKO on the MIMMA page..I'm fine with the nickname... Actually grown into liking it... And no I don't have any other nicknames, 

not that I know of at least haha.
You are very focus in the cage, what goes through your mind when you first step into the cage?
First thing that goes into my mind when I step into the cage is to be calm and steady. Get comfortable and then do what has to be done.

Do you get much attention at uni/college for reaching the MIMMA final?
Hmmm...no haha

What's your game plan? stand & strike or challenge him on the ground?
Well I can't really say...I think the best is to adapt to the situation and not limit myself to only one aspect of fighting. However as usual I do prefer it if we keep the fight standing.

Have you studied your opponents fighting style, he looks like a big slugger in MIMMA2, do you see any weakness to be exploited?
No I left that all to my coach he'll tell me what to work on and whatnot...my job is to show up at the gym and train whilst keeping myself healthy leading up to the fight.

What is your MMA fight record to date?
My fight record is 7-2

To date which fight for you is the toughest? and which is the most satisfying win?
Toughest fight was MIMMA 2 Semi Finals against Mok Judo. Most satisfying win is against Vinod Dave. Both tough opponents and both have my respect.

Please share your thoughts and experience training in TMT?
It was tough and challenging but fun at the same time. Made new friends along the way. 

A really great experience overall.
MIMMA3 finals will be a big event with plenty of media coverage, how do you feel?
Do you feel like a underdog going into this fight?
I feel nervous and excited simultaneously. It’s a feeling I always get leading up to a fight, 

only this time its amplified. And since I'm the challenger in this title fight I am the underdog..

How do you feel about the support given by MIMMA's team?
Its great. The MIMMA team is awesome. All good people.

Preparing for fight in the final weeks must be intense...what is your training schedule like in a week?
Intense as always. I train once in the morning and once in the evening. Everyday except the weekends. During the weekends its only one session in the afternoon.

Usually how do you unwind after a hard training week?
Easy. Hanging out with my friends and team mates. And of course spending time with my girlfriend too LOL

What is your normal weight? Do you have to cut much weight for Lightweight?
I walk around 74kg all the time give or take. Don't have to cut alot I guess. I don't like cutting weight and I'm fine with fighting bigger guys.

What's your message to Hasrul?
Well, I respect him as a person and as a fighter. 

But there can only be one champion...and I will give everything I have on that night to be the new MIMMA lightweight champion.
All the best to you for a win this Grand Finals Jace!
Thanks for having me bro as always I really appreciate it

BORNEO INVASION @ MIMMA3 - HAFIZUL HAKIM

This 20 year old lad helm from the small town of Sipitang in Sabah. Completed his STPM at S.M Pengiran Omar, Sipitang. He started MMA training only a year ago. He reached the Semi Finals of Jesselton Fight League but had to pull out as it clashed with his TESL exam. During his school days basketball was more of his things. He has heard of UFC & MMA but being in Sipitang didn't expect that training is already available in Sabah.

Together with his home town friend Ricky Cheong whom has the same interest to train in MMA, they met up with Sensei Rayner of Karabaw Gym, and he started teaching them and help them in setting up a gym in Sipitang. Hafizul and Ricky would train in Karabaw Gym in Kota Kinabalu,
back home in Sipitang these two friends trains at home and at time in school compound.

Now Ricky as owner of Karabaw Gym Sipitang has got a fixed place for them to train and they have not look back since, with members increasing and awareness of MMA from Hafizul's success.

Hafizul or Popo to his close friends, is a relentless bull. According to Sensei Rayner, this lad can eat punches like cookies and have the endurance of a pick up truck! He is well rounded and in good shape. With 3 fights winning streak : 2 TKO and 1 split decision Hafizul will challenge Muhd Aiman of Negeri Sembilan for the featherweight title.

Aiman will not be a easy game for Hafizul as Aiman is seasoned MIMMA contestant. He was the finalist in season 1, loosing to eventual Champion Prabu Somanaidu. Again in 2014, he qualified for the finals but didn't make weight, which saw Seah Zhang Yu, the opponent he beat in the Contender fight became the eventual Flyweight Champion.

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Where are you from? Are you pure KadazanDusunMurut (KDM)? what's your heritage?
Basically I live in sipitang, I was born in Kuala Penyu, Sabah.  I'm mixed, my father is Iban+Chinese and my mum is Dusun.. therefore I'm Iban..you can follow my ig account hhakeem08 and my facebook Hafizul Hakeem.. hehe.. promoting! :P

Tell me how you feel reaching the final of MIMMA? Do you expect this?
I really didn't expect to reach this level, but nothing is impossible. I did my very best in every fight so that's why it brought me to the finals. I'm super excited to fight at the grand final, it is my 1st title match. I hope and will do the best to make the belt to be on my waist.

Since when did you get involve in martial arts? Can you tell me a bit on your martial arts journey?
I'm a big fan of UFC, and thats when I started to like MMA. First I joined boxing, but it was unorthodox boxing. We learn and teach each other. Before I join #Karabaw I learn a few grappling knowledge from youtube, after that I started to notice Karabaw gym in Austral Park , Kota Kinabalu and I went there.. and that's how I met my beloved coach/brother Rayner Kinsiong...hahahaha..

What motivates you to fight?
I think it's because of my doers attitude, I'm always up for anything that I like. Since I like MMA so I did and give my best to this sport. Although it took a lot of time and money but I still want it. Besides, my family and my girlfriend also supporting me. They always concern about my weight and control my eating habit because I really love to eat! Hahaha..

You are still studying right? currently where?
No, I'm currently looking for a permanent job. I'm hoping that I can find a job that allow me to train and work.

Do you get much attention in Sipitang for reaching the MIMMA3 final?
Yup, a lot of people that I dont know starting to greet me and it was good because I like making friends.

What's your game plan? stand & strike or challenge him on the ground?
Ahhh, I'm planning to go with the flow, if he wanted to go for the ground then ground it is and vice versa. But I'm planning to fight calm and not rushing, I just want to feel the 3 minutes x 3 rounds in the cage...

Have you studied your opponents fighting style & noted any weakness?
Emm, yes of course..
Yeap I notice a weakness that I can take advantage off..so I already prepare a few moves to fight with him.

Aiman has defeated your team mate Douglas, how do you feel meeting him in final?
Douglas! I'll avenge him for you brother, and I will make my team proud of me and I want Team Karabaw to be a well known gym for creating a great fighter.

What is your MMA fight record to date?
I think its 5-1, I had one lost at the Full Metal Dojo, its Lightweight title. You can check it at Tapology, but there were a mistake at the website for spelling my name wrong, my name do not have Muhammad, my name is Hafizul Hakim.. change that pls :)

Which fight for you is the toughest? and which is the most satisfying win?
Errr.. the toughest fight is against Damon Soo. He was so strong, his punches were heavy and makes me hard to chew my food for 2 days. Hahaha..

What was the experience in TMT like?
TMT, it's one of the best fight camp in the world.. there is a lot of pro fighters there and more experience for sure. Since we went there for 5 days so sorry to say that only get a few techniques and tips, but if I'm staying there for a few months I think I will be a better fighter.. :)

What's your message to Aiman?

AIMAN, LET'S FIGHT!

BORNEO INVASION @ MIMMA3 - EFFENDEY KALAI

Effendey Kalai, the brother of Ex National boxer Eddey Kalai has been groom by Eddey to be the next MMA champ. Giving him good base in boxing, Effendey also picked up MuayThai. He's has been active in Jesselton Fight League, F3 Full Contact and also D1FC. 

In 2014 Effendey's journey was stopped at Semi Finals. This year Effendey currently ride a 3 fight winning streak. In the semis he won by unanimous decision over Joshua Khiew of Penang, MIMMA season 2 finalist.
With 2013 & 2014 Bantamweight Champ Prabu Somanaidu turning pro this year, the belt is up for grabs between Effendey and Tee Jac Yoe of Johor whom has collected two TKO enroute to the Grand Finals.


What’s your age this year Fendey?
I’m 25

How do you feel qualifying for the Grand Finals?
Certainly is a blessing, excited and happy. My goal for the belt is getting closer

Where do you work now? You use to be in the Malaysian Navy?
Yes , but I’ve stopped. I now teach full time as a coach in Elitze MMA Fitness Academy

Tell us a bit on your coaching job?
Alhamdulillah all is smooth, after I stopped my navy service, I got this offer from Elitze, all through Abang Ayob of POTOSAN CORNER
who helped me look for this job. He introduce me to Master Andy Teh, founder of Elitze.

What’s the strategy for facing Tee?
Well my game plan…I’m not going to rush this. I believe my punch will be able to land. Will look for opening & work for a KO finish.
I realize he’s ground game is good, but we’ll see…hehehe

Your fight record?
As of today 10-3-0

How was the experience training at Tiger Muay Thai ?
Well, personally I felt there’s not much difference, I’ve been doing the same type of training all along.
What about training difference , in West Malaysia & Sabah?
To me each training program have their own benefits. It doesn’t matter where you train, be it Philipines, Thailand or US,

If your heart has the best of intention and you have a goal, wherever you train, you will reep the benefits. If you do it just for fun, I guess you’ll end up at Phuket beach more…hehe

Which of your fights is the toughest?
I would say Joshua Khiew in the semis, I won by decision. He was the finalist in 2014.

Which coach has the biggest influence on you?
Non other than my own elder brother, Eddey Kalai , he’s a ex national boxer and reach the semi finals this year.
My father Kalai Mohamad also is my biggest fan, always there to give me support

What do you think of your grappling vs Tee?
50/50 on groundgame.

Who gives you the motivation to fight ?
My brother Eddey Kalai taught me a lot on boxing and is my chief strategist.
Master Andy Teh. He taught me a lot on MMA

You married?
Nope, still single.

What do you do to unwind?
Hanging out with my family in KL…and go out dating,..hahaha.

What type of music you listen to?
I like Islamic songs and some slow relaxing music

What do you think of MIMMA3?

Compare to previous years, it has improve tremendously. Fighters also has more exposure and has prepared well. Some of them has been preparing since season2.

I felt lots of last year’s Bantamweight fighters went down to Flyweight. And of course the Featherweight went down to Bantamweight now.

What do you miss most of home in Sandakan Sabah ?
My late mother’s cooking….”Serunding ikan kayu!” ( fish floss )

So, any message for Tee?
I won’t talk much….I'm gonna proof it in the cage!

BORNEO INVASION @ MIMMA3

Come 10 OCT 2015,...10 MMA warriors  from Borneo will invade Kuala Lumpur at Stadium Putra for the Grand Finals of Malaysian Invasion MMA ( MIMMA ) Season 3.

They come to stake their claims, on the Championship belt of MIMMA3.

For Championship Belt they are :
BANTAMWEIGHT: Effendey Kalai ( SABAH )
FEATHERWEIGHT: Hafizul Hakim ( SABAH )
LIGHTWEIGHT : Jace Law ( SARAWAK )
WELTERWEIGHT : Melvin Kho ( SARAWAK )
FEMALE : Felicia Yunus ( SABAH )
FEMALE : Joanna Yap ( SARAWAK )
FOREIGN PRIDE : Ahmadjon Karimov ( SARAWAK )
FOREIGN PRIDE : A-Karadech ( SARAWAK )
HEAVYWEIGHT : Darren Low ( SABAH )
For feature fight:
WELTERWEIGHT : Adrian Tham ( SABAH )

Together they made up almost half of the fight cards on that night.

Borneon fighters have in warriors spirit in their hearts, they will be relentless and will give their best to ensure the Championship belts will be on their waist.

You can watch it in TV1 ( Astro Ch101 ) or watch on live streaming at www.malaysianinvasion.com
or best still to get yourself a ticket at redtix.airasia.com & catch the action live!

Warriors of Borneo have the privilege to have a chat before the fights, let's get to know these warriors a little bit better.

Catch the interview in the upcoming blog posting very soon!

MIMMA Season 3 - Grand Finals ( Borneon Invasion! )

This is fight week!.

The time has finally come to crown MIMMA Season 3 Champions.
Presented by TUNE TALK , MIMMA3 will be happening this 10 OCT 2015,
which also happens to be the National Sports Day; will see the fastest growing sports in Malaysia - MMA making another huge milestone in it's very young history.

MIMMA started 3 years ago and has grown bigger & bigger. The brain child of Khairy Jamaludin , Minister of Youth & Sports Malaysia and Jason Lo, CEO of Tune Talk. MMA has taken Malaysia by storm. With the popularity of UFC and other western MMA promotion such as Bellator and WSOF, and the domination of ONE Championship as the leading MMA promotion in Asia has help fuel the growth of MIMMA, which stands now undeniably as the biggest amatuer MMA tournament in Asia.

MIMMA serves as a platform to develop and unearth MMA talent from the grassroots across Malaysia. Successful fighters has progress to become pro fighters representing Malaysia such as the Subba brothers, Allen Solomon Chong, Agilan Thani.

2015 sees MIMMA breaking new ground, it introduces the female catchweight category and the foreign pride category. Both were created due to high numbers of potential female fighters and foreigners that reside in Malaysia.

Good news is, we also will potentially see fights by Adrian Tham, MIMMA Season 1 Champ, once MIMMA got the cards confirmed. Adrian was just crowned the inaugural Jesselton Fight League Welterweight champ on 4.10.15 in Kota Kinabalu. Another fight arranged for entertainment is the fight between Arnold & Ryan, both Hitz.Fm announcer, man this should be lots of fun!

Hitz.FM  fight: Arnold vs Ryan...who ya got?

MIMMA this year will not feature Pro fight cards as it's being held a day after ONE Championship at the same venue: Stadium Putra Kuala Lumpur. Hence for Pro cards action fight fans should get their hands on ONE Championship: TIGERS OF ASIA tickets, best is to get both tickets and immerse in the experience of watching the best pro and amatuer fights cards in Asia! ( get your tickets here http://redtix.airasia.com/ )

With tryouts organised in Penang, Selangor, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah since Mac this year, has seen fighters from various gym fighting for a spot to be selected to represent their home state. This year's skills of fighters has evidently improved. They realised that to be just good in striking or grappling will not take them far. To go the distance one need to mix up both discipline well.

After going through ladder match, quarter finals, semi finals and contender fights we see the confirmed fight cards below for the Grand Finals, this is gonna be electrifying!

Borneon has certainly made a great impact in MIMMA, the very first season, we have two champion from Sabah Adrian Tham ( Heavyweight  ) and Allen Solomon Chong ( Lightweight ).

Adrian Tham 

Allen Sollomon Chong 

In the 2nd seasons Grand Finals last year, out of the 7 championship bout, 3 Borneon was featured. Lightweight: Muhammad Hasrul def. Richie Celestial ( Sabah ), Middleweight: Jim Chong Jing Yi def. Stephen Onn ( Sarawak ), and Heavyweight Champ: Darren Low ( Sabah ) def. Mohammad Zulhanizam.

For 2015, Warriors of Borneo is proud that out of 18 fighters in the 9 Championship bouts, 9 will features fighters from Borneo, that is 50% !! Namely 4 from Sabah and 5 from Sarawak ( taking into account Ahmadjon and A-Karadech is based in Kuching, Sarawak ). 
We even see a complete Borneon affair in the female category.

In Bantamweight, Effendy Kalai ( Sabah ) will fight Tee Jac Yoe ( Johor ) as Prabu Somanaidu 2014 champ has vacate the belt.

Featherweight will see Hafizul Hakeem ( Sabah ) vs Muhd Aiman ( Neg. Sembilan) as Keanu Subba will be fighting Pro Card in ONE.

Lightweight, Jace Law ( Sarawak ) will fight defending Champ Muhd Hasrul ( Selangor ).

Welterweight belt is up for grabs as 2014 Champ Agilan has already turned pro, so it's up to Melvin Kho ( Sarawak ) vs Gino Tan ( Penang ) to see who gets it.

Heavyweight, towering Darren Low ( Sabah ) will defend the belt against Niker Tan ( Penang ).

Foreign Pride, Karadech ( Thailand - Fighting out of  Kuching Sarawak ) will fight Ahmadjon Karimov (  Tajikistan. - Fighting out of Kuching Sarawak ).

And last but not least an all out Borneon affair in the Female category: Felicia Yunus ( Sabah ) vs Joanna Yap ( Sarawak ).

Feature fights also has been confirmed with Adrian Tham ( Sabah ) fighting Theban Govindasamy in welterweight.

50% of the female in Semis are from Borneo ( Joanna, Mardiana, Valerian, Felicia and Nurul )

Many Borneon fighters did well too this year reaching at least the Semi Finals such as Eddy Kalai ( Sabah ), Douglas Gumbilai ( Sabah ), Samuel Lai ( Sabah ), Tsan Nieng Khai ( Sarawak ), Kent Tham ( Sabah : reach the contender ).

For female at Semis level, 50% of the fighters were from Borneo, the female are certainly inspired by fellow Borneon Sabahan, Ann Osman; incidentaly whom will be fighting Mazepa of Russia in a female Flyweight Superfight in ONE Championship on 9.10.15.

This year Darren Low of Sabah will defend his Heavyweight belt against Niker Tan from Penang.

Darren is smiling with his opponent Niker but come fight day he will be on kill mode on Grand Finals

Borneon is here to make a statement! Many are very pumped up and has been preparing well to make sure they bring the belt across the South China Sea to either Sabah or Sarawak.

Warriors of Borneo wishes all the best to the Borneon Fighters!
Fight Hard, Fight Smart, Fight with all your Heart and the belt will be yours!