It has been nearly four years since Agilan 'Alligator' Thani made his ONE Championship debut in his native Kuala Lumpur.
The Monarchy MMA representative has established himself as one of the biggest names in Malaysia’s martial arts scene, and he even challenged for the ONE Welterweight World Title in May 2017.
As he gears up for 2019, the 23-year-old shares his three favorite ONE Championship moments.
#1 His first ONE show
Then only an 18-year-old, Agilan had always wished to attend a ONE event.
His wish came true when he had a ticket to attend his coach's debut, Samir Mrabet, at ONE: Warrior Spirit in November 2013.
“I wasn’t signed to ONE Championship yet, but it was my first time watching a ONE event live,” he recalled.
“Samir’s match was the second of the night, and it was my first real introduction to ONE. I was amazed by how professional everything was, and I immediately knew where I wanted to be in my career one day.”
Mrabet, who is the owner of Monarchy MMA, went on to record a unanimous victory over Steven Durr.
“It was amazing,” Agilan continued. “Hearing the crowd and getting a feel of the atmosphere was unbelievable.”
#2 That match against Brad Robinson
In May 2016, 'Alligator' looked to keep his undefeated streak going against Brad Robinson at ONE: Ascent To Power.
This battle was Agilan’s first outside Malaysia, and the odds were stacked against him to return home from Singapore with a victory.
“It was my first match overseas, and it was surreal,” he said.
“People were rooting for him and I was the underdog, but I felt good, and I knew I would cause some trouble.”
Agilan, who used to be an overweight teen, went for his opponent as soon as the opening bell rang. Barely 30 seconds into the tilt, he hit a takedown.
Robinson was unable to match the Malaysian's power, and 'Alligator' continued his onslaught with two beautifully-timed right legs before securing another takedown.
It was one-way traffic from then on, as the American could not escape Agilan's ground and pound. The contest ended at 4:40 of the opening stanza.
“I bought a bag of popcorn after the win and just started munching on it throughout the night while enjoying the rest of the action,” he joked. “It felt as though I achieved something new that day.”
#3 The birth of the 'Alligator'
In March 2015, only five months after securing the MIMMA Welterweight Title, Agilan made his promotional debut at ONE: Age Of Champions in Kuala Lumpur against Indonesia’s Reant Febriza Rainir.
The athlete was full of confidence and did not waste time setting up a precise takedown through a right overhand and a clinch.
Agilan could not be stopped, and it was another ground and pound display from the Malaysian star before referee Joey Lepiten called a stop to the contest at 1:20 of round one.
“That win was so important to me,” he explained.
“I remember Mitch Chilson passing the microphone to me, and I was so scared. I just told the crowd I wanted to go to the toilet and pee. It was a funny and embarrassing moment.”
Astro Awani
Thu Jan 31 2019
Agilan has established himself as one of the biggest names in Malaysias martial arts scene. - ONE photo
Piala Thomas: 'Kemenangan ke atas Hong Kong lonjak keyakinan' - Jun Hao
Kem perseorangan negara Piala Thomas 2024 berjaya membuktikan kemampuan mereka, sekurang-kurangnya selepas mengetepikan pemain Hong Kong dalam aksi pembukaan Kumpulan D hari ini.
Dua cedera ambulans jatuh gaung
Dua individu cedera apabila sebuah ambulans terbabas dan jatuh ke dalam gaung setinggi enam meter di Simpang Tiga Sungai Lui Jalan Sungai Lalang.
Konsulat Malaysia rancang program PKS di Pontianak
Program itu termasuk pameran, seminar dan dialog dijangka akan diadakan pada bulan Julai atau Ogos tahun ini.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Semua pihak dinasihat elak provokasi, 3R - Saifuddin Nasution
Semua pihak diingatkan agar tidak menimbulkan sebarang unsur provokasi termasuk memainkan isu 3R sepanjang PKR Kuala Kubu Baharu.
AWANI Ringkas: DAP sukar raih undi Melayu
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Semua pihak diingat tidak sentuh 3R - Fahmi
Semua pihak diingatkan untuk berhati-hati dan tidak memainkan isu kaum, agama dan institusi raja (3R), terutama di platform media sosial, sepanjang tempoh berkempen PRK KKB.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: 'Punca DAP pertaruh calon Cina'
Sukar untuk meraih undi Melayu didakwa menjadi punca DAP mengekalkan strategi dengan mempertandingkan calon berbangsa Cina pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Kuala Kubu Baharu.
Pemandu peribadi ditahan belasah individu hingga pengsan
Seorang lelaki dibelasah sehingga tidak sedarkan diri dalam satu kejadian di tepi Jalan Memanda 9, Jalan Ampang, Ampang Jaya pada Jumaat.
Polis cari tiga individu simbah cat merah di restoran nasi kandar
Polis sedang mengesan tiga individu yang terlibat perbuatan khianat dengan melemparkan cat merah di sebuah restoran nasi kandar di Taman Machang Bubok Khamis lalu.
SPRM lancar bilik gerakan 24 jam
SPRM melancarkan bilik gerakan bagi membolehkan orang ramai menyalurkan maklumat serta aduan berkaitan perbuatan rasuah dan salah guna kuasa pada PRK DUN Kuala Kubu Baharu.
'The Alligator' mahu bangkit buru gelaran ONE Championship
Selepas mengalami tiga kekalahan berturut-turut, jaguh welterweight Malaysia Agilan Thani bertekad untuk bangkit merangkul gelaran dalam saingan One Championship.
Aksi ONE Championship kembali ke KL Oktober ini
Selepas hampir dua tahun, ONE Championship akan kembali menggegarkan ibu negara bulan depan, menampilkan dua jaguh MMA tanah air.
Banjir: Atlet MMA Agilan Thani mangsa banjir kilat di ibu negara
Jaguh welterweight ONE Championship Malaysia Agilan Thani turut menjadi mangsa banjir kilat yang melanda ibu negara, Sabtu lepas.
'The Aligator' tidak sabar turun semula ke gelanggang
Beliau kini dalam perjalanan pulang ke tanah air selepas mengikuti kem latihan di Akademi Seni Bela Diri Campuran (MMA) Jackson Wink di Albuquerque, New Mexico.
MASMMAA sasar lahirkan lebih ramai atlet MMA di Malaysia
MASMMAA menyasarkan untuk melahirkan lebih ramai atlet MMA di negara bagi memperkembangkan lagi sukan tempur itu di tanah air.
Jihin, Agilan, Aiman bakal beraksi dalam acara ONE di KL
Jihin Radzuan, Agilan Thani dan Muhammad Aiman bakal bertarung dalam aksi ONE: Mark Of Greatness yang akan diadakan di Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
Sedikit 'fobia' di gelanggang sendiri, Agilan pilih bertarung di luar negara
Agilan Thani memilih untuk bertarung di luar kerana yakin ia dapat memberinya pengalaman yang diperlukan untuk bersaing di peringkat lebih tinggi.
MMA: Agilan bakal beraksi dalam acara ONE di Tokyo Oktober ini
Atlet seni bela diri campuran (MMA) negara, Agilan Thani sah akan beraksi di acara ONE: Century di Tokyo, Jepun pada Oktober nanti.
3 cara seni bela diri dapat tingkatkan kualiti hidup anda
Seni mempertahankan diri adalah aktiviti yang menyihatkan serta dapat memberi pelbagai manfaat kepada pengamalnya.
Rashid Salleh dilantik Presiden Persatuan MMA Malaysia
Pelakon dan personaliti TV, Rashid Salleh telah dilantik sebagai Presiden Persatuan Seni Mempertahankan Diri Campuran Malaysia (MASMMAA).