Fighter applying lessons learned … from Golf!!?!

Mixed martial arts famously draws those parts that work against active resistance from a wide variety of martial arts. However, lessons learned on golf course helped Amir Khan become Singapore’s best MMA prospect at just 20 years old. Further, as Singapore has universal military conscription, Khan is training a dozen time a week, while fulfilling his two-year National Service (NS) responsibilities to his country.

“Golf taught me to be very focused and to find a way to overcome any difficult situation,” said Khan to James Goyder for MMAMania. “In golf there is a saying ‘play every hole as a new hole’ — you learn from the mistake and move on. I try to approach an MMA fight with the same mindset.”

“I have been working on my Muay Thai with Peneak Sitnumnoi who was ‘fighter of the year’ in Thailand a few years ago and on my ground game with Bruno Pucci who’s a No-Gi grappling world champion. I’ve been sparring and rolling with Benedict Ang and Mark Striegl and I’ve also been picking up lots of tricks from Ben Askren and Shinya Aoki.”

“Luckily Evolve is open from 6am to 10pm and the instructors are always there, so I can train before and after work. I try to do 12 sessions a week.”

Khan’s opponent on Friday (Nov. 13) is a third degree Taekwondo black belt and he says he has been brushing up on his striking skills as he prepares to face the Filipino.

“I don’t know much about Jimmy except that he is good with striking but I feel I’m better than him everywhere. I’ve been working alongside Yodsanan Sityodtong who is a boxing world champion to counter Jimmy’s skill set and I will be looking to impose my game plan on him and put on a good show for the crowd in Singapore.”

Amir Khan fights ?Jimmy Yabo at ONE Championship: Pride of Lions, on November 13, 2015 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. The event is available via live streaming PPV.