#evolvemma

Evolve MMA – Asia’s top martial arts academy – continues to make its mark in both ONE Championship and local grassroots events.

In addition to the many accolades from international media, the Singapore-based gym was recently named the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in Singapore by Yahoo.

Led by highly experienced World Champion instructors including Copa De Mundo BJJ World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva and two-time Black Belt Mundials BJJ World Champion Teco Shinzato, Evolve’s esteemed BJJ program is among the very best in the world.

At the Singapore BJJ Open 5 on the weekend of 7 - 8 March, the Evolve Competition Team took part in the adults and kids divisions.

They earned a total of 21 gold medals, 25 silver medals, and 16 bronze medals, and overall, they earned a whopping 67 wins.

Thanks to their medal haul, Evolve ended up topping the table with 157 points. Coming in second place was FAMA at 79 points, followed by Checkmat with 74 points.

This was another impressive showing after The Straits Times recognized Evolve student Constance Lien as “Athlete of the Year” in 2019.

Lien captured the women’s blue belt featherweight World Title at the World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championships in California, USA.

Just the year before, she won the silver medal at the Asian Games – the first year that BJJ made its official debut at the event.

Their run of success continues to show that Evolve has truly emerged as Asia’s premier training ground for the grappling arts.

Evolve instructor and Professor Almiro Barros spoke glowingly of his students’ achievements.

“Seeing all of our students compete with honor and sportsmanship while giving it everything they have got makes me very proud,” he said.

“Results like these give us an opportunity to take a step back and admire the progress our students have been making. I’m proud to have been involved in their incredible journeys so far.”

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is one of the most popular martial arts in the world, and in Singapore, there are now tons of amazing BJJ gyms.

Thanks to the growing popularity of martial arts, fans all around the world have become familiar with the gentle art. BJJ isn’t only for professional athletes. People from all walks of life now call their BJJ gym their second home.

Here are the 5 best BJJ gyms in Singapore in 2020.

1) Evolve MMA

Evolve MMA is the top BJJ gym in Singapore and has been ranked by many of the world’s top media outlets, including Yahoo Sports, as Asia’s top martial arts academy.

Evolve MMA has the largest collection of world champions on Earth. Alongside their impressive list of instructors, Evolve MMA also has the largest class schedules in Asia, with over 700 classes across their outlets catering to beginners all the way up to professional martial artists. With outlets at Far East Square, Orchard Central, KINEX, and Clarke Quay Central, Evolve MMA is open 7 days a week and on all public holidays.

Over the last few years, Evolve MMA has produced many of Singapore’s top BJJ competitors. At the 2019 SEA Games, Evolve MMA students won the majority of Singapore’s medals in BJJ, bringing home 2 gold and 2 bronze medals. One of Evolve MMA’s BJJ instructors, BJJ World Champion Teco Shinzato, also serves as a coach for Team Singapore. One of Singapore’s brightest BJJ competitors, Constance Lien, who won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, a gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games, and a BJJ World Championship in 2019, is proof that Evolve’s program is elite, having started her BJJ journey at Evolve MMA and risen through the ranks there.

Evolve MMA is also home to Asia’s top children’s martial arts program. Starting for children from the age of 4, Evolve MMA’s Children’s Program helps instill in children the values of martial arts. Evolve MMA also has world champion instructors in martial arts such as Muay Thai, boxing, mixed martial arts, submission grappling, and more. For people wanting to get a taste of what Evolve MMA has to offer, they offer complimentary trial classes.

https://evolve-mma.com/

2) Fight G

A BJJ gym that has been in and around the top of Singapore’s scene for many years, Fight G is known to most martial artists across the Lion City. Fight G teaches martial arts such as BJJ, boxing, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts.

Their BJJ program is led by homegrown BJJ brown belt Kelvin Yeo, who has a deep understanding of the gentle art and is highly skilled at passing on the technical aspects of BJJ. Centrally located near Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, Fight G is open 6 days a week and offers classes for all experience levels.

Fight G is a great option for people looking to get a start in BJJ or continue their martial arts journey.

https://fightg.com/

3) Fortitude Martial Arts & Fitness

Founded in 2014, Fortitude Martial Arts & Fitness promotes a safe and positive learning environment for everyone at all ages. They have classes that cater to both leisure hobbyist and avid competitors.

Led by two high-level BJJ black belts, Vinc Tan and Shane Suzuki, they have a well-rounded program that caters to both beginners and advanced students. Professor Tan was the first Singaporean to be handed his black belt in Brazil when he was promoted there in June 2015. Having gone from white belt to black belt in 5 years, Professor Tan has been dedicated to BJJ ever since starting the art during his final year of university. As a BJJ coach, he has helped many of his students win medals at local and international competitions.

Fortitude’s other BJJ black belt, Shane Suzuki, is a two-time Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Champion. Awarded his black belt in 2014, he has lived in both Singapore and Australia and been training and competing alongside Vinc Tan for many years.

Fortitude is open 6 days a week and is located on Verdun Road and is a welcoming BJJ gym for all.

https://fortitudebjj.com/

4) Equilibrium Mixed Martial Arts

Founded in 2013, Equilibrium Mixed Martial Arts is a BJJ gym that has been around the Singapore martial arts scene for many years. With the two core arts of BJJ and Muay Thai, they are a platform for people that carry the same interest to train together.

Equilibrium’s BJJ program is led by Takeo “Draculino” Tani, a BJJ pioneer in Asia since 1994. He has coached numerous champions in World, European, Pan American, and Asian competitions.

Catering to people from all walks of life, such as students and working professionals, the majority of Equilibrium’s classes take place in the evening. They also have a children’s program. Other programs they have include yoga and movement and strength.

Equilibrium is open 7 days a week with a limited schedule on the weekends.

https://www.equilibrium.asia/

5) Team Highlight Reel Mixed Martial Arts

One of the newer BJJ gyms on the scene, Team Highlight Reel is a gym of highly-skilled coaches and competitors that deliver. They pride themselves on building homegrown competitors organically from the ground up.

The gym offers classes in BJJ, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, and kettlebell training. Led by BJJ black belt Major Overall and wrestling coach Dom Chen, they are a fast-growing gym focusing on competing, fitness, and fun.

Located in Tanjong Pagar, Team Highlight Reel is open 6 days a week, and classes have a maximum capacity and thus are on a first-come, first-served basis.

So, if you’re a complete beginner or someone with experience looking to continue competing locally and internationally, Team Highlight Reel may be for you.

Alex “Little Rock” Silva broke his three-bout losing streak in August – and now, he wants to keep on rolling in Singapore.

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist wants to keep the momentum going on Friday, 22 November, where he is scheduled to face China’s Peng Xue Wen at ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

“I am very happy for the opportunity to compete again before the end of the year,” Silva explained.

“Previously, the string of losses weighed heavily on my shoulders. But now that I got the win, I feel happy and back to normal, and I am enjoying every moment of my training for this match.”

The Evolve representative got the upper hand in his victory over Rahardian, a notable grappler and brown belt under Carlson Gracie.

Silva used his BJJ mastery and expertise to overwhelm the Indonesian warrior and earn his seventh submission victory.

The Copa do Mundo BJJ World Champion expects his opponent to bring a well-rounded set of skills to their match on Friday, but Silva believes he can rely on his grappling to pull out the win.

“Peng can strike, and he comes from a wrestling background, but I think I’m a better wrestler than him,” Silva said.

“I have improved my wrestling and striking, but I know I need to go back to my roots and use more of my BJJ.”

As one of the longest-tenured members on the prestigious Evolve Fight Team, Silva senses a newfound enthusiasm among the collective.

“We are doing very well in training. Everyone is really hungry for this November card because the last time we competed in Singapore, we were not too pleased with our performance,” the 37-year-old said.

“This time, we are going to show how great we are.”

Silva is pleased to be competing again in 2019, but he is even happier to do so in his adopted home of Singapore.

Thanks to his greatest fans, this match will be extra special and give Silva all the motivation he needs to put forth his best performance yet.

“I am excited to be back inside the ring and just be able to enjoy what I’ve always loved to do,” Silva said.

“My family from Brazil, my mom, dad, and my daughter, they will all be coming to Singapore, so I’m really excited for this.

“I want them to relax and enjoy the show because I am going to do my best to make everyone proud and happy.”

Check out ONE Championship’s next event – ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS – this Friday, 22 November.

The preliminary card begins on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube – and the ONE Super App – at 6:30pm Singapore Standard Time (SGT).

To watch the main card, tune-in to Toggle at 8:30pm SGT. Also, Channel 5 will cut to the live broadcast at 10:00pm SGT.

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Former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke believes he will win his upcoming match in Singapore and resume his climb back to the top of his division.

On Friday, 22 November, the Singapore-based Thai athlete will meet Pakistani challenger Muhammad “The Spider” Imran in a strawweight mixed martial arts contest at ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS in the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

“I’m more determined than ever to get back in the game and make a successful comeback this November,” he said.

“I want to show Singaporeans and the world what I’m made of and how much I’ve improved since my last fight.”

Things did not go well for Amnuaysirichoke in his match against Miao Li Tao last May. The three-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion’s two-bout win streak came to an end after a shocking first-round knockout by the Chinese athlete.

The Thai knows he has an opportunity here to start afresh and believes his hard work in training will pay off against Imran.

“I’ve put in so much work and I’ve been training hard every day in hopes to turn this around in my favor,” the Evolve representative said.

Amnuaysirichoke is one of the prestigious team’s longest-tenured members and his impeccable work ethic has seen him persevere where others would have quit.

In spite of his impressive accomplishments, he is constantly on the grind to improve his weaknesses.

“I learned a lot from my last fight and have been working on perfecting my game plan and training my stamina,” he said.

“I’m constantly working on conquering my blind spots and staying alert and agile — mentally and physically.”

The Thailand native has studied his opponent and knows Imran is a well-rounded martial artist. The Muay Thai legend will be on guard against any attempts by his Pakistani rival to go for the finish.

“I’ve watched some of his fights, and know he’s good at striking and has a decent grappling game,” he explained.

“I need to work on blocking and defending all his attempts to knock me out.”

With six different members of the Evolve team set to compete on Friday, the atmosphere at the Singapore gym is buzzing with positivity.

It is a special moment for Amnuaysirichoke to take in, and a reminder of why he continues to be grateful to serve as a member of this family.

“It’s been a really constructive and productive everyday process. The Evolve team is extremely close-knit. All the training partners and instructors look out for each other, and we capitalize on each other’s strengths to overcome our weaknesses,” he said.

“We’re constantly looking to improve each other’s game in every aspect, be it in striking, grappling, or in strength and conditioning.”

The former World Champion deeply desires to wear the gold again. He is confident his chance will come soon enough and knows that a crucial win in "The Lion City” will be a big step toward that goal.

“I want the World Title again and will strive to work towards it,” he offered.

“With that said, I’m currently focused on winning this fight with Imran first. I know I’m deserving of the belt and will slowly work my way toward it.”

Check out ONE Championship’s next event ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS this Friday, 22 November.

The preliminary card begins on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or the ONE Super App at 6:30pm Singapore Standard Time (SGT).

To watch the main card, tune-in to Toggle at 8:30pm SGT. Also, Channel 5 will cut-in to the live broadcast at 10:00pm SGT.

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Alex “Little Rock” Silva returned to winning form in his match against Stefer Rahardian at ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD on Friday, 16 August.

Fans inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand once again witnessed his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu powers. He stifled Rahardian on the ground and locked in a brilliant armbar to earn a second-round submission victory.

The Thai fans expected a grappling clinic, and Silva delivered a masterful performance reminiscent of when he conquered the undefeated Yoshitaka Naito to become the ONE Strawweight World Champion in Bangkok back in December 2017.

“Thailand is a very special place for me. The first time I competed there, I won the belt and became champion. And now, it feels like God planned for me to get back here and win again,” Silva stated.

Getting back on the winner’s road has been a goal for "Little Rock,” especially since he came agonizingly close to a victory in his last bout in May.

This win has now moved him a step closer to reclaiming his status as one of the division’s leading competitors.

Silva exuded a calm-in-the-storm vibe that helped him tactically unlock Rahardian’s Carlson Gracie jiu-jitsu defense to score the armbar that ultimately led to victory.

Despite being a black belt – one of the sport’s highest honors –  and a Copa do Mundo BJJ World Champion, Silva came into the contest prepared for a tough match.

“I know Rahardian is a good fighter, and he would have trained hard for this,” Silva said. “He is also great at grappling, so I expected it to be tough to get the finish. He defended well when I attempted the choke, so I tried for the armbar and it worked.”

At 36 years old, the Brazilian veteran still views each match as a chance to learn, take risks, and challenge himself.

Unable to lock in the rear-naked choke in the first round, Silva attempted a submission in the second, even though he knew he could lose the leverage he had enjoyed all match.

“Towards the end when I had his back again in the second round, my corner told me there were 30 seconds left on the clock,” Silva recalled. “That was when I told myself it’s now or never, and I had to take the risk and try for the armbar, even if meant losing position. I tried it, and it worked!”

Falling back to his BJJ roots seemed to be the strategy that Silva planned for, and to his credit, the Evolve MMA representative executed it perfectly.

Looking to reinsert himself into the divisional rankings, a resurgent Silva knows exactly when and where to start.

“I would like to ask ONE Championship to please give me a chance to compete here in my hometown of Singapore in November,” he said.

“I have fought all the contenders and top guys in the division, so I’m hoping for a new challenge. But whoever ONE Championship gives me next, I will accept, hopefully in November here in Singapore.”

ONE Championship’s next event, ONE: IMMORTAL TRIUMPH, takes place on 6 September in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

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