Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
Keanu Subba is a MIMMA Featherweight Champion who was born to a Nepalese father and a Malaysian mother in Kuala Lumpur. As a result of his mixed heritage, Subba was often picked on in school before he started to embrace his identity- earning the acceptance of his peers.
After recovering from an injury he sustained during a fight, Subba is back in the game and working towards being the World Champion.
Here’s his story.
“I’ve been doing MMA for 12 years. I started competing at 16 years old.”[Image taken by one of IRL’s author, Armani]
The Cost Of Learning
I began my martial arts journey with taekwondo, winning several gold medals in the sport. But, my skills would lay dormant until I went to High School in the United States.
There, I discovered mixed martial arts after watching it on television with my brother, Gianni, now one of ONE Championship’s top flyweights. We were determined to compete but couldn’t afford to train in a gym.
Undeterred, we studied videos on YouTube and tried the moves out on each other. This continued until I found out my cousin was suffering from cancer. I decided to return to Malaysia to spend my last moments with him.
[Image taken by one of IRL’s author, Armani]
Inspiring My Late Cousin
Back in Kuala Lumpur, I finally found a gym I could afford and began my formal training.
After less than six months of training, I took my first fight against Malaysian veteran AJ Lias Mansor. Although I ultimately lost the fight, my courage inspired my cousin, who called me his hero before tragically passing away.
Before signing with ONE Championship, I went on to blaze a trail through the Malaysian scene to become a two-time MIMMA Featherweight Champion.
Since debuting on the global stage, I have stopped several opponents in the first round to stand out as one of the most exciting young talents to watch.
The Daily Life of An MMA Fighter
I train twice a day, for an hour and a half session. Some afternoons, I get into film studying past matches – looking at opponents and their fights to better understand the game.
I have to be disciplined with my diet. I don’t count calories but I avoid processed food and soft drinks.
Why MMA?
I find that MMA is a very complex sport because not only would I need to learn how to strike, but I would also need to learn grappling and wrestling. I need to be well-conditioned regarding my health. I would need to take care of my nutrition needs and prioritise recovery after fights.
[Image taken by one of IRL’s author, Armani]
Everyone’s goal as an MMA is to be a world champion, so that’s obviously my goal within the next 2 years.
How I psyche myself up.
I think preparation is what gives you confidence. It’s what you’ve been doing that led up to the fight that will make you ready. You know you’ve put in all the work, so you don’t need it to psyche yourself up.
I started my martial arts journey with taekwondo when I was 9, using many of it in fights. My dad has always been supportive because he had siblings involved in martial arts. My mom, of course, was more protective. She would advise me to do something safer.
Since my parents were struggling financially, I decided around 15 or 16 years old that I would not add to their burden. That’s how I became a mixed martial artist without spending any money.
“I was offered a fight with a 30+ year-old guy when I was 16. Even then, it wasn’t actually my first Rodeo.”
It was the first MMA fight in Malaysia. I wasn’t ready for the fight, but I did pretty well, and from there, I dedicated myself to MMA.
When I was 7, I had my first fight. We played basketball with this kid’s older brother, and he decided to pick on me. He was 10. I did pretty well against him, but I got into trouble, obviously and was sent to the principal’s office. That became a regular occurrence. Being mixed, I went to a Chinese school and got into many scuffs.
[Image taken by one of IRL’s author, Armani]
Sustaining Injuries During Competitions
I broke my leg in 2019 and my shin bones (tibia and fibula). It took 2 years to recover, and now it is the 3rd year, and I fought twice, won and hope to carry the momentum and keep going.
“It’s very rare that accidents happen, but they happen.”
The struggle came from fearing the unknown and being unsure if you can go back to what you love to do.
I wasn’t physically primed to compete again, but I am finally feeling like myself again this year.
Movies versus Reality
It’s different from how they make it seem in MMA movies. I don’t like that they make it look more brutal than it is.
You want to ideally train for 1-2 years and compete with skills. In the film, they prepare for 2 months and go for the fight of their life.
It doesn’t look pretty or realistic.
[Picture taken from onefc.com]
His Advice To People Who Are Starting To Get Into MMA
Find quality instructors. That’s no. 1.
Focus on fundamentals.
There will be a lot of fancy moves. Still, you need to build a strong foundation, which is good fundamentals.
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The ONE on Prime Video 3: Lineker vs. Andrade in Kuala Lumpur will feature some of the biggest and most exciting martial arts superstars in the world that will take place on October 22 at the Axiata Arena.
ONE is the world’s largest martial arts organization. ONE produces and distributes world-class events across more than 150 countries, featuring martial artists and World Champions from over 80 nations and all styles of martial arts including MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and more.
For more updates on ONE, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.
If you’re interested in more details, click here!
Know anyone with an exciting story to share? Drop us an email at hello@inreallife.my, and we may feature the tale!
For more stories like this, read:
I’m An MMA Fighter And We Saved A Lady While Our House Was Being Destroyed By The Flood
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