In a bid to change the perception of mixed martial arts (MMA) and to fight for the welfare of journalists in the country, journalist Haresh Deol will take on professional fighter Shareh ‘The Jeneral’ Nasrullah in Fight for Change 2019.
Organised by twentytwo13.my and the Malaysia Mixed Martial Arts Association of Malaysia and supported by the National Press Club (NPC), the event is scheduled on Nov 23 at the Cobra Club in Petaling Jaya.
“We need to change the way people view MMA and get more youths involved.
“If taekwondo, karate and even silat are part of schools, why not MMA?” asked Pearl Lee, Twentytwo13’s co-founder and managing editor.
“MMA, like other martial arts, is about respect and discipline.
“Equally important is for us to continue fighting for the welfare of fellow journalists in Malaysia.
“Many of our colleagues have been forced out of jobs while some have been threatened for doing their jobs. We need to help them in whatever way we can.”
Haresh is also the deputy president of NPC.
There will be martial arts demonstrations and exhibition fights involving exponents from various age groups, leading up to the highlight of the day.
Shareh, representing Lekir Fitness and MMA Academy, holds a 3-3-1 Muay Thai record and a 1-2 MMA record.
“I agreed to this fight because we want to educate the masses about MMA and to help promote the sport to schools,” said Shareh, 28, who is nine years younger than Haresh.
“It’s for a good cause as we are also fighting for the welfare of journalists. It is a great event to be involved in.”
Tickets are priced at RM50 each. For more information, email editor@twentytwo13.my or pearl.lee@twentytwo13.my.