by Rachael Short
Some may know Samir Mrabet as the founder of Monarchy MMA combat gym based in the golden triangle of KL and training base to some of Asia’s top fighters including Peter Davis and Arnaud Lepont. He is also a winning contender for One Fighting Championship team, the largest MMA fight tournament in Asia but his success from martial arts isn’t the first time he’s been thrust into the spotlight.
He explains:
“When I was younger I was making some pocket money working in MacDonald’s. One day I was spotted by a model scout who asked me if I was interested to model. Of course I left my job at MacDonald’s and started taking modelling jobs. I was really lucky because modelling took me all over the world from London, New York, LA, Barcelona, Paris, Turkey, and Milan. I did some high profile campaigns including Benetton and Levi’s. At the same time I had already hooked into Brazilian Jujitsu so in every country where I modelled I practised BJJ at the same time including the famous Renzo Gracie centre in New York and LA and Checkmate in Turkey. My style was adapted by learning different techniques at several centres. Back in my home of Belgium my training mates could counter each other because they knew what the other one would do. Nobody knew what I would do. My evolution for BJJ in that time was quick. When I came to Malaysia it slowed down because initially there was no gym for me to train.”
Creating roots in Asia
Samir finished his studies in Belgium and then came to Malaysia for six months with the Belgium Embassy. Feeling unfulfilled in his role he left his job and returned to Belgium. In the midst of the recession Samir soon found that Belgium offered no further opportunity at that time. Keen to remain active he plotted to come back to Malaysia.
“I didn’t have the money to even fly back to Malaysia but undeterred I took a ticket from Brussels to Turkey. Previously in Turkey I had done some big modelling campaigns so I knew from there I could find some modelling work and make enough money to complete my journey to Malaysia. So I went to Turkey for one month and I made 2k USD – that’s what I had in my pocket when I arrived in KL.”
Samir proved his strength in spirit as he found ways to survive as an ex pat in Asia. Staying true to his love of sport, he decided to find a way to survive doing something he enjoyed.
“When I arrived in Malaysia I continued modelling to pay for my living expenses. I started doing classes at Kambiz Warrior’s Gym. I saw the interest rising in martial arts in Asia, as it is worldwide. At the time the building where I lived had an empty kindergarten. So I asked the landlord if I could rent it. I didn’t have the budget to start a full gym so I took on a modelling job and from what I earned on that job I bought some mats. Eventually a few members started coming regularly. Bit by bit I started adding more gym equipment so we could train. As we acquired regular customers, I hired Amir Naseri who teaches boxing and Muay Thai and I started to get more clients for personal training. Then I met a man who would change my life, Mike Rogers. He has an oil and gas company here. He liked the gym but he understood it wasn’t an ideal location training in a condo. So he proposed to invest in a gym and that is how Monarchy came about.”
MMA’s place in society
Finding a more commercial place to train not only allowed Samir to use the greater part of his business acumen but, located right in the golden triangle of KL, allowed great exposure to anybody who wanted to learn a martial art. Some of which completely transformed their lives after learning the sport.
“There are a lot of people I know who were previously drinking and smoking heavily before they started BJJ. But those that get hooked into the sport soon start to live the lifestyle of a BJJ practitioner. I know stories about people from difficult backgrounds who after learning martial arts have built a brighter future because the sport has instilled discipline. Those who don’t have self-discipline might act tough on the street but when they do martial arts they learn a different kind of strength, a new definition of toughness. When they see the spirit you need to have to apply yourself to a martial art they embark on a better path. It’s good to see people build a bright future.”
Aside from creating a positive environment for Monarchy members. Samir also volunteers at a local orphanage.
‘’We try to give back to society. I do go to the orphanage and teach there sometimes. We spotted a few kids who are really naturally good at martial arts and so the next step is to get authorisation so they can actually come to Monarchy gym and train here. Here is a proper environment for them to experience.’’
With such gestures, it would seem Samir is a martial artist aware of his good fortune and happy to give back to a society that has embraced him. As plans embark to open another gym later this year, and with the increasing rise in interest for MMA the future looks bright for Samir.
Catch Samir at KL’s first BJJ and Nogi open tournament at KL convention centre on 31st May and 1st June, hosted by Monarchy Combat Gym.
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