A true passion for martial arts

Reza “Machete” Afiq is a mixed martial artist competes in MMA fights and Muay Thai, he competes and trains students at his classes at the same time. Initially, he had no intention to be a competitive fighter. It all started when he got bullied in school and he joined a gym to release stress and escape from reality.

The trainer saw a potential in him and encouraged him to train more. Eventually he had his first amateur MMA fight at eighteen years old.

Reza in black shorts clincing his opponent

Reza’s first MMA fight was one of his most unforgettable memories: ”This was very interesting. I remembered my very first MMA fight; my parents didn’t allow me to fight because they were worried that it’s too dangerous and that I might get injured badly. Without my parents knowing, I switched off my phone, snuck out of the house to Kuala Lumpur from Johor, and eventually won the fight by knockout.”

Soon, he became more passionate in MMA, fighting in Bantamweight division at 60 kg. Overall, he has a fight record of 38 wins,7 won by knockout and 5 losses. Competed in national and state championships and won titles. The biggest achievement was winning the won a gold medal at SUKMA games (Sukan Malaysia) for Muay Thai before proudly representing Malaysia at international championships.

Reza in red fighting against his opponent at SUKMA games

As a martial artist and an instructor at Merican Muay Thai gym, it’s very exhausting. When there’s an upcoming fight, Reza trains at least twice a day and 6 times a week, and joined fight camps in Phuket where all Muay Thai fighters gather.

Reza recalled the fight camp experience: “I met fighters from all around the world who are pro-fighters and they all compete with and train one another.”

Training for MMA, Reza has tried most combat styles such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and Muay Thai. As a competitor in MMA and Muay Thai, he prefers Muay Thai the most because it’s more brutal than MMA.,

He remembered one of his fights in Singapore where ,he lost the fight to his opponent but learnt more about Muay Thai and became more passionate in fighting.