Don’t Give Up, Don’t Ever Give Up

For those who are looking for a quick dose of mid week inspiration this legendary speech by Jimmy Valvano may be just what you need. Jimmy Valvano was an American college basketball coach, who is famous not only for his success as a coach, but equally so for this inspiring speech he gave at the 1993 ESPY Awards. During the speech Jimmy reflects on his career as a coach, but more importantly reflects on the beauty of life. A year prior to this speech Jimmy had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and told to start getting his affairs in order. Although Jimmy knew there was not much time left for him, he was determined to appreciate all that he had and fight for every last minute he could. His message was simple, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up." Just 8 weeks later Jimmy lost his battle with cancer, but his words will live on forever. Check out the full speech below, and be inspired to appreciate every moment of life.

   

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Student of the Month: 5/2012

For May 2012, the Student of the Month award goes to Eddie Ng, one of our young professional fighters. Since joining Evolve MMA almost a year ago, Eddie has skyrocketed under the tutelage of our world champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Boxing, and Wrestling. He has now become one of the biggest superstars competing in ONE Fighting Championship, Asia's largest MMA organization. More importantly, Eddie exemplifies the precious values of Evolve MMA: integrity, excellence, humility, continuous improvement, teamwork, and loyalty. He is a true martial artist, a wonderful human being, and potential future World Champion.

   

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

ONE Asia MMA Summit 2012

This weekend from June 1-3, ONE Fighting Championship will host the monumental ONE Asia MMA Summit.  The event, which will be held at the prestigious $8 billion Marine Bay Sands in Singapore, will be the largest of its kind in the history of Asian MMA.

Over the course of three days some of the biggest players in the Asian MMA scene will gather to discuss the current state of MMA in Asia and collaborate on developing the road map for the future.  As the sport of MMA is in the midst of an explosion throughout the whole of Asia this gathering could not come at a better time.  You can bet that when the 150 high profile guests expected to attend the event put their heads together they will emerge with a sound plan for the continued development of MMA in Asia.  The list of keynote speakers will include ONE FC CEO Victor Cui, Evolve MMA founder Chatri Sityodtong, international MMA legend Matt Hume, CEO of the Fairtex Group Anthony Lin, URCC CEO Alvin Aguilar, DREAM CEO Kato Hiroyuki, among many other dignitaries.  For more information on the event and key speakers check out ONE FC’s official announcement here.

Be sure to keep a close eye on this event over the weekend, and stay tuned for some major announcements.  These are very exciting times for Asian MMA, and this summit may very well mark the beginning of a new era in the sport’s worldwide domination.


Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Dreams Do Come True

Today UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos will be living out his dream. From the favelas of Brazil to international superstardom on the grandest stage of mixed martial arts in the world, the story of Junior Dos Santos is one of hope and inspiration. Yet, while all eyes will be on Junior as he defends his title against Frank Mir this weekend, there will be another equally inspiring story sitting in the arena with wide eyes living out his dream. Remarkably, amidst all the chaos and preparation for his title defense, Junior Dos Santos has taken the time to help another little boy live out his dream. Nine year old Breno is a local boy from the same favelas that Junior has risen from. Like many children from this area, Breno has found refuge from the trouble that lurks in every corner of these favelas by making the gym his home away from home. Now, in a situation that many children couldn’t imagine in their wildest dreams, Breno will be sitting ringside as Junior’s VIP guest at UFC 146 in Las Vegas. Check out this incredibly inspiring and heart warming story of Junior and Breno below. This is what the sport of mixed martial arts is all about.

   

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Incredible UFC 151 Trailer: Jones vs. Hendo

Although it is still a long way off until UFC 151, it is never too early for a trailer like this one.  The young champ and new face of the UFC, Jon Jones, is slated to defend his title against true MMA legend Dan Henderson on September 1st.  While Jones may very well be the future of the sport, Henderson is one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport.  Henderson is a former two division Pride Champion and Strikeforce Champion, and he is now looking to add one final belt to his collection and cap off what could go down as one of the greatest careers of all time.  A lot can happen between now and September, but this trailer will definitely have you counting down the days.  Need a quick boost of motivation to start off your day or get you to the gym?  Check out this video, and you will be on your way.

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Interview with Bellator Champion Ben Askren

A 2x NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Champion and a US Olympian, Ben Askren is the current Bellator Welterweight Champion and is widely considered to be one of the top welterweight MMA fighters in the world today.  In this video interview, he talks candidly about his love for wrestling, his MMA style, his time in Singapore, and his thoughts about Evolve MMA.

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Kyra Gracie: "The Main Tournament of My Life"

If you have 20 minutes to spare this amazing and truly inspiring mini-documentary by MMA filmmaker Stuart Cooper is worth every minute of your time. Entitled “The Main Tournament of My Life”, the documentary tells the story of how 4 time BJJ World Champion Kyra Gracie is dramatically changing the lives of poor children from Brazil through Jiu-Jitsu. At Evolve MMA our motto is “Achieve Greatness Within”, and it is our mission to help everyone do that through the practice of martial arts. Kyra Gracie’s work in Brazil is yet another perfect example of how martial arts can do just that. No matter your current position in life, there is no doubt that interjecting some martial arts will positively impact every aspect of your life. For parents, martial arts are one of the greatest ways to teach children the discipline and confidence needed to succeed in life. We have said it time and time again, but it is worth repeating. Martial arts truly do have the power to transform everyone’s life for the better. Check out the incredible video below, and embrace the power of martial arts training.

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

The Road To Pacquiao vs. Bradley

In the world of sports the name Manny Pacquiao requires very little introduction. Even the most casual of boxing fans are familiar with his exploits inside the ring. Considered by many to be the current pound for pound best boxer in the world, Manny’s accomplishments include 6 world titles and an impressive 54-3-2 career record. He has not lost a fight in over 7 years. On June 9th Manny will face off against the much lesser known, but very dangerous Timothy Bradley. Although Bradley has not yet earned his place among the pound for pound best in the world, he has very quietly dominated his way to a Light Welterweight World Championship and a perfect 28-0 record. On June 9th he will face the greatest challenge of his career, and a chance to prove himself as one of the world’s best. No one is really giving Bradley much of a chance in this fight, which is exactly what makes it so interesting. Check out the first episode of HBO’s 24/7 Road To Pacquiao vs. Bradley below. Will Manny take another step closer towards his claim to greatest of all time, or will we witness the arrival of boxing’s next big thing?

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Age Is Just a Number

We have all heard the old adage “age is just a number”, but most of us take it as just that, an old adage.  For many people age is the perfect excuse to get lazy and stop learning new things.  It is almost as if it is some rite of passage. “Ok, now that I am 40 years old, I need to slow down and cut back on my training.”  Yet, for those of us who are willing to look, there are countless real life examples of people proving that age is in fact just a number.  Every day people who are supposed to be “over the hill” or “past their prime” are able to not only compete at the highest levels, but also succeed.  Age is much more a psychological barrier than a physical barrier.  For those who are thinking about pulling the age card and claiming “I’m too old for this” let’s take a look at a few athletes who might make you think again.

Randy Couture

Randy is one of the most decorated mixed martial artists in the history of the sport and a true MMA legend.  Yet, it wasn't until the age of 34 that Randy competed in his first professional fight.  After briefly retiring at the age of 42, Randy returned at the ripe old age of 43 to claim his third UFC Heavyweight Championship.  It wasn’t until the age of 47 that a still very competitive Randy Couture decided to retire from the sport.

Dara Torres

Dara is a 12 time Olympic medalist in swimming.  In the 2008 Summer Olympics the 41-year-old mother won 3 silver medals, and is now at the age of 45 training to qualify for her 6^th Olympic games this summer.

Min Bahadur Sherchan

In 2008 it is estimated that around 2,000 people in the entire world, living or dead, had successfully reached the peak of Mt. Everest.  Min Bahadur Sherchan was one of them, and he did it at the age of 76 years old.

Nolan Shaheed

Statistically speaking the average 60-year-old man runs a mile in about 14 minutes while the average 15-year-old child can do so in about 6 minutes.  Nolan Shaheed at the age of 61 ran a sub 5-minute mile.

Bernard Hopkins

At the age of 17 Bernard Hopkins was sentenced to 18 years in prison.  While in prison he found boxing and changed his life.  He was released from prison after serving 5 years of his 18-year sentence.  On May 21, 2011 Hopkins became the oldest boxer to win a world title when he defeated the 28-year-old Jean Pascal.  Hopkins was just 46 years old.

These are just a few examples of people refusing to act their age.  The list goes on and on.  If you are able to get over the simple number that is your age, there is no reason that you cannot continue to break personal records well into your twilight years.  Refuse to act any age but that which you feel, and the old adage “age is just a number” will be your reality.

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Only Possibilities

“Only Possibilities” is the personal mission statement of John Maclean, and if you look at the many incredible things he has accomplished in his life you will understand exactly what he means.  John is a member of the prestigious Hawaiian Ironman Hall of Fame, has swum the English Channel, been awarded the Australian National Sport Medal, earned a silver medal at the Beijing Summer Olympics, and has competed in countless other elite athletic competitions.   John has done all these things as a paraplegic.  As a young man John was hit by a truck while training and forever lost the use of his legs.  Rather than allow this disability to limit him, John chose to see only the vast possibilities of what he could do with his life and dedicated himself to competing in the most challenging athletic events in the world.  Here is how John describes his philosophy:

"In business and in life, we all face obstacles and crossroads. While my 20-year story seems like an extreme account of setbacks and facing up to them, the message is not about those obstacles, or how they got there, more about learning to see challenges, or adversity if you like, and welcoming it as a fuel to feed off. Any of the great people I have met have harnessed adversity and turned it into an energy that allows them to achieve so much more. All of us can do that, we simply have to make that choice."

Let John’s story be an inspiration to us all, and make the decision to see life as “only possibilities”.  Check out the video below to hear John talk about his incredible journey.

 

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Always Evolving

As we reach the midway point of another month, things are happening as fast as ever at Evolve MMA.  As our namesake would suggest, there is truly never a dull moment at Evolve as everyone continues on their quest for self-improvement and greatness.  One big announcement is followed by another, and that is what the Evolve MMA family is all about. 

The month started off with the return of UFC legend Rich Franklin to Singapore.  After spending some time training at Evolve last year, Rich made the decision to base his entire training camp here in preparation for his upcoming fight at UFC 148.  Now two weeks into his training camp, Rich has become a familiar face at the Evolve MMA fighter’s program and the Evolve family is thrilled to have him.  Not long after Rich’s arrival, Evolve welcomed former Olympic wrestler and Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren to Singapore.  Ben flew out from the United States to spend a few weeks training with the Evolve Fight Team and our World Champion instructors.  The addition of these two MMA stars to the daily Fighter’s Program has made for some excellent training sessions for all parties involved.  There has been a constant exchange of martial arts techniques and philosophies, and it is safe to say that everyone is growing together as martial artists.

UFC fighter Rafael dos Anjos from the Evolve Fight Team will be competing in his next UFC match in several hours against a tough opponent in Kamal Shalorus.

This month has also marked the beginning of another Evolve Fight Team training camp as they prepare for ONE Fighting Championship: Destiny of Warriors on June 23^rd in Kuala Lumpur.  Although the official fight card has not yet been announced, ONE FC has confirmed opponents for both Eddie “Magician” Ng and Leandro “Brodinho” Issa.  We also expect some additional members of the Evolve Fight Team to be added to the card in the coming weeks.  Check out the first trailer for the event below, and start making your plans to attend.  We are looking forward to another strong showing of support from the ever-growing Evolve family.

While it has certainly been an exciting start to the month of May, we don’t have any intentions of slowing down.  Everyone at Evolve understands that in both life and martial arts the learning is never done.  Our mission is to help each other achieve greatness within, and that comes through upholding the highest standard of excellence in everything we do.   We look forward to continuing on this journey towards greatness with you all.

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

UFC Primetime: Mir vs. Dos Santos

After some last minute shuffling the UFC 146 main card is all set. On May 26th in Las Vegas, Nevada some of the world’s best heavyweight fighters will go to war. In the main event of the evening Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos will defend his title against former champion Frank Mir. While these two fighters may come from very different backgrounds and motivations, they will both be looking for the same thing on May 26th; to establish their legacy as the greatest heavyweight fighter in the sport. The young Junior Dos Santos is one of the most feared strikers in MMA and considered by many to be the future of the heavyweight division. Frank Mir is a former heavyweight champion and long time veteran of the UFC who has earned his reputation as one of the most feared heavyweight submission specialists in the world. It is very likely this fight will go one of two ways. Junior Dos Santos will knock Frank Mir out with his boxing game, or Frank Mir will take home one of Junior Dos Santos’s limbs with his submission game. Either way this fight promises to be electrifying, and you can bet that neither of these fighters plan to leave the decision in the hands of the judges. As always UFC Primetime gives us an awesome inside look at these two fighters’ lives as they prepare for their showdown. Check out episode 1 below.

   

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Why You Should Never Give Up

On May 13th 2009 Mark Herzlich was a First Team All American Football player for Boston College who was expected to go on to play professionally in the National Football League. On May 14th 2009 Mark Herzlich announced to the world that he had been diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that would leave him fighting for his life. In what seemed like the blink of an eye Mark’s entire world had been turned upside down. One day he was headed towards a multi-millionaire dollar professional sports contract, and the next he was being told by doctors that he might never walk again let alone play football. Yet, in what can only be described as nothing short of a miracle Mark Herzlich is now a Super Bowl Champion with the National Football League’s New York Giants. In the span of just 2 years Mark Herzlich went from his deathbed to the pinnacle of professional American Football. Mark’s story is truly inspirational and serves as a lesson to us all that no matter what life throws at us if we are willing to fight we can overcome anything. Check out the below video to hear Mark recount his incredible story.

The moral of his life story is that you should never give up because you never know what can happen in life.  Obstacles in life are there to test your fighting spirit, your desire for a dream.

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

UFC Sits Down With the Wall Street Journal

“We want to put on an event everywhere, in every city, in every country, all over this planet, and make this the biggest sport in the world.” – Dana White, UFC President

UFC President Dana White and UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta recently sat down with the Wall Street Journal to discuss the business of MMA. In this very interesting interview both Dana and Lorenzo talk about where the UFC is now, and where they are planning to take it. While it is incredible to think how far this sport has come in the last ten years, it is even more incredible to think how far it will go in the next ten years. As we learn in this interview, Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta got into the MMA business for love of the sport, and that is what guides them as they work tirelessly to spread it to the world. Check out the full interview with the Wall Street Journal below, and let’s be thankful we have two true MMA enthusiasts pulling the strings behind the world’s largest organization.

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.

Live Your Dream Life

These words by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas are a beautiful reminder to live life with passion. Do not be a passive spectator in the game of life, but rather commit to a life of action. Every day provides a new chance to realize our dreams, but you must be willing to fight for them. No matter young or old we must live with vigor and confront every day with a warrior spirit.

Do not go gentle into that good night, 

Old age should burn and rave at close of day; 

Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, 

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

And you, my father, there on the sad height, 

Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

 - Dylan Thomas

Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia's premier brand of MMA academies. With World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, and No Gi Grappling, Evolve MMA is the top martial arts training organization in Asia. It ranks among the best martial arts academies in the world.