Malaysian MMA fans hail UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov’s plan to launch Johor gym

Former professional fighter turned coach Melvin Yeoh said the new Khabib Gym in Johor would inject more energy into Malaysia’s already thriving combat sports scene.

“If you are really into MMA, especially one who is building up grassroots [talent], you should be excited and very eager to see what it will bring to the local community,” Yeoh told This Week in Asia.

Yeoh said interest in combat sports such as boxing, muay thai and MMA started picking up in 2022 during the tail end of the pandemic in Malaysia.

Nurmagomedov’s star power — known as ‘The Eagle’ — is expected to further fuel strong interest in combat sports, said Yeoh, who runs his Ultimate MMA Academy in Johor Bahru.