18 NOV 2025 — History in the making!

Just a week after UFC 322, which saw Former UFC Lightweight World Champion Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov corner his friend and student Islam Makhachev to become the new UFC Welterweight champion, he landed in Johor to officiate the groundbreaking ceremony of Johor Khabib Gym together with DYAM Tunku Mahkota Ismail, the Regent of Johor.
The event took place at TMIYC Iskandar Puteri, and it marks a HUGE moment for Malaysian combat sports.

And get this…
👉 This will be the 2nd Khabib Gym in the world after Abu Dhabi
👉 And the 1st ever in South East Asia 🤯

A massive 3,000 sqm world-class facility is now officially on the way — a place where the kids and adults of Johor will train under Khabib’s philosophy, with elite-level MMA, BJJ, striking, and conditioning.

This isn’t “just another gym.”
This is Khabib-level standards coming to Malaysia.
A new platform for Malaysian fighters to LEVEL UP.

Khabib officially became a Johor Sports Ambassador and he was also brought for a toured of the JDT Football club facilities — Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, JDT HQ.
He was impressed. Very impressed.

HOW IT ALL STARTED 👇

It all began back in October 2024, when Khabib met with DYAM Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
They talked about youth development, sports growth… and the idea of opening a world-class training hub in Johor.

Johor didn’t waste time. Fast forward to December 2024:
A delegation led by Johor MB YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi flew to Abu Dhabi to visit Khabib Gym — and were blown away by the coaches & facilities.

The visit ended with an MoU signing between Khabib and MSN Johor. Johor government has allocated in their 2026 budget -RM10 million for the completion of Johor Khabib Gym

JOHOR — HOME OF CHAMPIONS 🐯

Johor has produced some of Malaysia’s top combat sports athletes:

🥊 Melvin Yeoh – Malaysian MMA pioneer, founder of Ultimate Beatdown
🥋 Jihin Radzuan – MIMMA Champ → ONE Championship star
🥋 Eunice Ong – MIMMA Vol.5 Flyweight Champion
🥊 Muhamad “Farkhan” Haron – WBC Asia Champion
🥊 Adli “Golden Boy” Hafidz – WBC Asia Continental LHW Champion
🥊 Damia Husna Azian – IFMA Muay Thai World Champion

Johor isn’t just producing fighters — it’s producing LEGENDS.

WHAT’S NEXT?

With Khabib Gym Johor on the way, the future is bright for the next generation of Malaysian fighters.
This gym is going to create opportunities, champions, and a whole new era for combat sports in the region.

And we can’t wait to see the warriors who rise from this new home of champions. 💥🇲🇾🔥

story by Warriors.asia
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