Back from the Monastery

Back from the Monastery

I just got back from the monastery. It was definitely an experience I wont forget any time soon. I was supposed to train this afternoon when I got back but being at a monastery in the Thai jungle when you are not used to the monastic schedule is actually pretty taxing on your body. Anyone staying at the monastery has to live by the monks schedule and that means eating once a day (no seconds)…

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Another Training Day at Legacy and Student Profile

Another Training Day at Legacy and Student Profile

This entry is going to profile one of the kids that I was/am teaching in Pakistan. However, before I get into that I will tell you an update on my training here in Ubon at Legacy Gym. I woke up with that all too familiar post workout stiffness this morning. It is nice to be back into training. In Thailand’s Muay Thai camps there are traditionally two sessions everyday. One in the morning and one…

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First Day in Ubon

First Day in Ubon

So, today was my first day in Ubon. It felt good to wake up in Thailand. It felt even better to eat breakfast. Som Tum, Koy Kung and Tom Plaa. That’s Papaya salad, baby shrimp salad and fish soup. A wonderful break from the ghee, red meat and naan (bread product) I had been eating on a daily basis. I love Pakistani food but it’s not always the best for training. Thai food is not…

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In Thailand

In Thailand

I just arrived in Thailand today. I flew out from Lahore at midnight of the 25th and arrived 4 hours later in Bangkok. it was sort of like coming back home, I’ve been here so often. I immediately went to the bus station to get a bus to Ubon Ratchathani where a friend of mine is currently staying at a monastery as a monk. His family has a house nearby and his family is nice…

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Saying Goodbye

Saying Goodbye

I leave for Thailand tomorrow. Another stage in this journey is to begin. Yesterday I said goodbye to my main students. The ones who not only shined the most in terms of skills but the ones who truly were committed and believe in what I am doing. They have advised me on the best way to approach the establishment of Mixed Martial Arts in Pakistan. They were there to affirm that I was going to…

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Getting Ready to Leave

Getting Ready to Leave

I have three more days until I fly out to Thailand. I am excited and sad at the same time. I am excited to leave because I am not getting the train I need over here. Other then the three weeks I spent at Tigers Gym in Nasik, India (Tigersgym.com) my workouts in Pakistan have been very limited. I am sure to get my ass kicked in Thailand for the first two weeks until I…

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The next few months

The next few months

This is a blog about MMA in Pakistan. It’s also going to be about a lot more. It’s not going to take place only in Pakistan. I am going to guess that for at least the next two years I will not be in settled in one country for more then 6 months at a time. Although my focus certainly will, what I am doing at the moment will not always have to do with…

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A slice of today

A slice of today

I arrived in my hometown last night from the city of Lahore where my grandmother is currently admitted into a hospital due to a stroke. She is better now and I came back to attend a wedding. A wedding in Pakistan typically entails about a week of dinner and functions for family and friends. Many people sleep at dawn eating and talking and wake up in the afternoon and begin getting ready for another evening….

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State of Martial Arts in Pakistan today

State of Martial Arts in Pakistan today

First off I need to say that I have not written in this blog in about a week. I really hope no to have that again but we don’t know what life happens in life. My Grandmother had a stroke a week ago and I was busy with her at the hospital. By the grace of God she is recovering now and I have returned back to training. Spending much of my past week in…

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First Trip: The Beginning – I

First Trip: The Beginning – I

People call me the God-father of Pakistan MMA. Here is a short story about how it all started in Pakistan… In the fall of ’07 I was speaking to a cousin of mine who lives in California. During our conversation we discovered that we both had plans of giving back to our home country of Pakistan.  I was born in Pakistan and then moved to the United States at the age of three. My cousin…

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