INVASION ALERT!

I've been meaning to write this post like two months back but somehow or rather, I got really distracted by a lot of other things (as usual). So, yes, I've been going on and on about mixed martial arts (MMA) since ONE Fighting Championship, to a point where I find myself annoying hahahaha (check out my wall posts on Facebook, and you'll know what I mean).

MMA is the fastest growing sport in the country - really. If you haven't heard of it before, you will soon because so much publicity and effort has been placed into this sport. Even local film director, James Lee, is into this! It is amazing.

Basically, just like its name explains, the sport is a combination of various martial arts techniques from various disciplines, such as grappling and striking, both on ground and standing. I'd say most of the fighters who participate in MMA are involved in disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Muaythai and wrestling.

I was very lucky to be part of Tune Talk's Malaysian Invasion Mixed Martial Arts (MIMMA) event for the past few weeks. Not that I contributed in any way with my presence; I merely satisfied myself for being able to join their press conference event, tryouts and ladder matches.

So what is MIMMA actually?

Malaysian Invasion Mixed Martial Arts Fighting Championship or MIMMA in short is a Championship launched by Tune Talk to promote the mixed martial arts sports in Malaysia. To make it interesting, the whole journey of this MIMMA Fighting Championship will be aired on Astro Starsports as a reality show. Yes, kinda like the hard core version of American Idol, except that instead of singing, they kick each other's butts. MIMMA also stars Peter Davis and Rashid Salleh as hosts, and Matt Pellino as commentator.

Once a rock-star, now an entrepreneur, Jason Lo really knows how to eye industry that has the potential to make it huge. I bet he noticed the hype in the sport, what not, with so many gyms as well as movies on mixed martial arts in town (a few more are slated to be filmed this year by the way, after the release of "Here Comes the Boom").

Tune Talk "plagiarised" AirAsia's "Everyone Can Fly" tagline but wittily altered it to "Everyone Can Fight". Also captivating is Jason Lo's body...if one is not there for the fights, one might just go there to check out if he really had slimmed down to that size. (SPOILER ALERT: No miracles happened, Jason is still Jason).

All our Malaysian ONE FC fighters were there at the MIMMA launch/press conference 

A live demo (which I absolutely love) of MMA by Adam Kayoom and Gianni Subba

Anyway, Malaysians who are 18 and fit can be part of this. If this isn't your year, oh well, work hard and pray for next year! From the tryouts, 112 participants will qualify for the ladder match and they will battle it out for the top 56 spots in the tournament. P/s: Girls, you can also fight! Personally, I can't wait to see a girls match!

I was there to witness the tryouts and ladder matches and I must say, although I don't know much about the sport, I saw that there were some really good fighters out there. If previously I do not get grappling, I have observed that tremendous strength and control is required to escape from chokes and also to choke the opponent. But of course, the striking matches are usually more fun for someone who is looking for something more exciting.

During the tryouts, you'll see all sorts of people trying out - and there were some funny ones and some good ones. They were accessed for their striking in one section and their grappling in another section. Some were also put inside the ring to battle it out! Basically, we had enough activities around to keep our eyes busy.

I enjoyed myself even more during the Ladder Match because that is when the real deal begins. The selected 112 fighters were all gamed for their battle in order to make it through to the next round, so naturally, you will see all the best moves that they can give. Some of them were aggressive and really wanted the win - but in the end, it was clear that all of them had mutual respects for their opponent, win or lose. And that's the spirit that I love to see most. I personally am impressed with all their sportsmanship.

I really think MIMMA is a brilliant idea because it really gives amateur fighters a chance to compete professionally. Malaysia has yet do something like this before unlike in US, where you have The Contender and The Ultimate Fighter - so I think it is a good move.

If you are free 20th and 21st April, visit Paradigm Mall for some action as the 56 finalists from the Ladder Match will be competing. I like that it is something so different, and the fact that it is in the mall makes it uber cool because the public gets to be part of it. Wondering who the 56 finalists are? Here you go.

As for girls who don't fight, but want to be part of the fun, you can join the MIMMA Ring Girl search and stand a chance to win RM5,000! For more details on Ring Girl Search, click HERE.

p/s: Check out also the Tune Talk Warriors, who are like Ambassadors for MIMMA. These "warriors" are all ONE Fighting Championship fighters who represents Malaysia. You should be super proud of them. I've been on short tours with a few of them and I've learned how dedicated all of them are (from food to exercise). I am super impressed with the amount of effort they put in - to be very honest, being a fighter is really not that easy. It is really not for glamour, I can tell you that.

Can't wait for the next round in April. Till then cheers for now!

"The Road Warrior" (Lame term that my boss coined because we always have to work on-the-go)