Once banned for its brutality, the controversial sport of MMA is bringing some Australian communities together.
"Here, when they tell them 'no', it means no."
A combination of boxing, jujitsu and wresting, Mixed Martial Arts is promoted at the top level by the UFC, also known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is based in Las Vegas.Athletes such as Chuck Liddell, Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey have built global brands off the back of their involvement in the sport and while it was initially banned in some states, it has become more widely accepted.
Inside a small room at the back of the Hurstville entertainment centre, above the stage and up some concrete steps, the group prepared for the fight by praying together on old burgundy coloured gym mats.Chams credits his faith and the sport for keeping him content. "He looked like he was an experienced fighter tonight," explained one of Chams' coaches Adam Omar, or Boxa Yass as everyone calls him, as others lined up to take selfies with the prized fighter."His range was excellent, his composure was good, that spinning back-kick early on, was absolutely perfect.
"The only [thing] that holds me back in this sport is definitely family and I can understand that, because they worry about me, they stress about me. Rayan, whose son Emad says he wants to become a professional MMA fighter one day, admits she's going to struggle to let him pursue his passion if he decides to pursue it more seriously."It's actually dangerous him fighting in the ring, I can't [let him] do it."
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