At just 24, Ammarul Shafiq Ubaidillah has carved his name into Malaysian combat sports history — becoming the first-ever National Kickboxing Champion under the prestigious World Kickboxing Network (WKN) after a TKO victory over Arief Ikmal.
It was more than just a win — it was a statement of legacy, discipline, and destiny.
Born of Strength and Heritage
Born in Selayang, Selangor, and grew up in Sri Gombak, Ammarul is the eldest of five siblings. His roots run deep and diverse — his father, Ubaidillah Bin Nasri, hails from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, and his mother is from Sandakan, Sabah.
Ubaidillah himself was a national bodybuilding icon — Mr. Universe 2011 — who brought home glory for Malaysia before retiring. Growing up, young Ammarul spent his childhood in the gym, watching his father train, compete, and sculpt his body into a symbol of excellence. It was there that Ammarul’s admiration for discipline was born.
I grew up watching my dad train every day — it made me love the process, not just the results
From Bodybuilding to Combat Sports
Initially, Ammarul followed in his father’s footsteps, training in bodybuilding. His younger brother, Arash, however, was drawn to martial arts — a passion ignited after being bullied in school. Although Ubaidillah never formally studied martial arts, his Thai upbringing meant he grew up surrounded by Muaythai. Those real-life experiences shaped the foundation of his sons’ training.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and gyms shut down, the brothers found themselves at home — restless, hungry to stay active. That’s when Ubaidillah made a bold decision:
If they couldn’t lift weights, they would fight.
Arash needed a sparring partner, and Ammarul stepped up. What began as an improvised way to stay fit became the turning point of his life.
The Family Blueprint for Greatness
Unlike most families that let their children “find their passion,” Ubaidillah mapped out a plan for his sons — a 10-year mission to make them world champions before turning 30.
Ammarul started late in martial arts — at age 20 — but his father’s method fast-tracked his growth. Every technique, every mistake, every lesson learned from training Arash was passed down to Ammarul in an accelerated program.
Within months, the brothers were already testing themselves against the best — sparring at Jordon Top Team (JTT), home to Malaysia’s Muaythai stars Jordan Boy and Nidal Mahmoud. That experience lit a fire in Ammarul that would never fade.
Fast Rise to the Top
Under his father’s guidance, Ammarul’s progress was nothing short of meteoric. Within two years, he clinched his first major victory — winning the 2022 IFMA World Muaythai Grand Slam Championship at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre.
Since then, his résumé has grown impressive:
- 2022 IFMA Grand Slam (Gold)
- 6-time National Muaythai Open Championship (2021,2023 ×2,2024 ×2,2025)
- F3 Strike Championship Freestyle (2022, 2024)
- 2-time National Kickboxing Champion (2023,2024)
- Fire Cage FC Muaythai (2024)
- AMA Championship ISKA Kickboxing (2024)
- 1st Ranked Welterweight in Byon Combat Kickstriking
- Malaysia’s 1st WKN Kickboxing National Champion (2025)
To deepen his understanding, Ammarul pursued a Sports Science & Coaching course under the Muaythai Association of Malaysia. Today, he coaches at his family-owned Rockafella Fitness Centre, mentoring the next generation of fighters.
Pure Commitment
Ammarul is the kind of fighter who gives his all — heart, soul, and body — to the cause. He trusts his coaches completely, following their advice with full faith in their guidance and wisdom.
This dedication was on full display on 26 November 2023 during the Ultimate Warriors event organized by Muaythai Malaysia — a kickboxing championship held in a tournament format. Ammarul powered through the quarterfinals, earning a decisive victory, and returned to the ring later the same day for the semifinals, where he again emerged victorious.
But his day didn’t end there. Right after the event, Ammarul and his team rushed to another competition — Kuda Merah Muaythai. There, he stepped into the ring under Pro Muaythai rules against an Afghan opponent and claimed his third win of the day.
Despite the bruises and pain from three hard battles, Ammarul returned to action the very next day, 27 November, for the Ultimate Warriors finals, now under Pro rules. Fighting smart and calculated, he used crisp punches to secure a unanimous decision victory, earning yet another title belt.
Interestingly, the Kuda Merah event was originally scheduled for a week after Ultimate Warriors, but due to unforeseen circumstances, both took place on the same weekend. Faced with a tough decision — to withdraw from one or risk it all — Ammarul and his team chose to make history.
The result?
Four fights in two days — two semi-pro, two pro — and two championship titles.
A weekend that perfectly defines pure commitment.
Calm Amid Chaos
Despite his achievements, Ammarul remains humble — known for his calm, respectful demeanor, rarely engaging in trash talk. That made his participation in Indonesia’s BYON Combat Fight promotion in 2025 a surprise to many, as the event is famous for heated rivalries and outspoken fighters.
His motivation was simple: revenge for Malaysia.
After watching Malaysia lose 1–8 to Indonesia in BYON 4 — including his former mentor Jordan Boy’s loss to Serial Efendi — Ammarul vowed to restore national pride.
He made his BYON debut in April 2025, defeating Laka Anak Sasongko, and then faced Jordan Boy himself in BYON 5 , it wasn’t an easy fight as he has to faced his former mentor and compatriot, but he need to get it done to put himself in the spot to face Serieal. He won the fight by decision and finally is the no.1 ranked fighter to fight Serieal Efendi at BYON Showbiz 6 this November 22 in Jakarta.
At the press conference recently for BYON 6, his composed presence impressed even Indonesian fans. No shouting. No insults. Just quiet confidence.
“He’s like a samurai — silent but deadly,” one Indonesian commentator noted.
Venturing Into MMA
While striking remains his forte, Ammarul’s hunger to evolve pushed him into MMA. When a fighter pulled out of the Super 8 MMA tournament under the United Lair of Arts (ULA) promotion, Ammarul stepped up — on short notice.
He intensified his training, adding ground and grappling sessions under Sifu Kenneth Lam.
The results spoke for themselves:
- Quarterfinal: defeated a Thai fighter
- Semifinal: beat Malaysia’s Efy Fauzi
- Final: faced Ibragim Khaibulaev of Dagestan, Russia
Though he lost the final, the experience facing a fighter from the region of Dagestan, famed as the home region of MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov really proved invaluable — broadening his horizons as a mixed martial artist.
Historic Kickboxing Victory
On 26 October 2025, Ammarul delivered another milestone performance — stopping Arief Ikmal via 2nd-round TKO to become Malaysia’s first WKN National Kickboxing Champion.
That victory wasn’t just about the belt.
It was about legacy. It was about showing that Malaysian fighters can rise to international standards.
It was about proving that discipline and humility can still triumph in a sport often dominated by bravado.
The Road Ahead
There’s no slowing down for Ammarul. His schedule is packed — Muaythai at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh this mid November, then straight to Jakarta for BYON 6, followed by the SEA Games in December.
He trains relentlessly, chasing not fame, but purpose. Discipline himself to stay on the course, even chill out time for him is at the gym, either he himself is training or he is coaching, full dedication to the cause.
When asked if his goal is to join ONE Championship, Ammarul smiles.
“I won’t say no. But success doesn’t only come from ONE Championship. My goal is to inspire — to show that you can be a warrior inside the ring, and a true athlete outside it.”
A Warrior with a Mission
For Ammarul, fighting is not just a sport — it’s a family legacy, a life mission, and a platform to spread positivity. His calm attitude, work ethic, and respect for others have earned him admiration both at home and abroad.
He trains to win — but more importantly, he fights to inspire.
Because as his father taught him —“Be a warrior in the ring. Be an athlete outside it.”
And that’s exactly what Ammarul Shafiq embodies — A new age Malaysian warrior, forged by discipline, dignity, and destiny.
Story by Warriors.Asia
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