Melvin “Overkill” Yeoh
The fighter, teacher and coach who pioneered mixed martial arts in Malaysia — and still leads every session on the mats in Johor Bahru.
From a Taekwondo black belt to the ONE cage
Melvin started martial arts as a teenager — a Taekwondo black belt who fell for the art of eight limbs and became a South Malaysian Muay Thai champion, then one of the most successful Malaysian mixed martial artists of his generation.
Fighting as “Overkill”, he competed at the highest level under ONE Championship and reached the final of the inaugural ONE Malaysian Featherweight Tournament — real, top-tier fight experience that now lives in every drill, every pad round and every piece of advice he gives you.
He didn't just join Malaysian MMA — he started it
In 2006, Melvin founded Ultimate MMA Academy in Mount Austin — widely recognised as the first full MMA gym in Malaysia. What began as grassroots training grew into the academy that shaped the country's entire mixed martial arts scene — and earned him a name many in the Malaysian fight community use to this day: the Godfather of Malaysian MMA.
He also founded Ultimate Beatdown, Malaysia's longest-running grassroots fight league — a platform that has given hundreds of amateur and pro fighters their first taste of competition, and cemented Johor Bahru on the national fight map.
He built a ONE Championship star from the ground up
Melvin developed Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan — from her first classes to the global stage of ONE Championship. The same coaching that produces a pro athlete is the coaching that starts a total beginner safely on day one.
★★★★★ Google review
“The head coach is Melvin ‘Overkill’ Yeoh, a former ONE Championship fighter, and I even got to see pro fighter Jihin Radzuan train. Definitely recommend for any level, from beginner to pro.”
A coach who teaches for a living
Off the mats, Melvin is a full-time secondary-school teacher — and a McDonald's Malaysia “Inspiring Teacher” honouree, nominated by his own students.
He's known for redirecting at-risk teenagers off the streets and into the discipline, focus and respect of martial arts. That patience is exactly why parents, beginners and first-timers feel safe here — you're learning from a real teacher, not just a fighter.
Three gyms, 20+ classes a week, everyone on the mats
What started in one shoplot in Mount Austin now runs across Mount Austin, Kulai and Batu Pahat — kids from age 3, total beginners, women training for fitness and self-defence, and fighters preparing for the cage, side by side six days a week.
★ 4.9 on Google · 34 reviews
Mount Austin
Kulai
Batu Pahat
The record behind your coach
2006
Founded Ultimate MMA Academy
The first full MMA gym in Malaysia — the pioneer that built the country's scene.
ONE
ONE Championship veteran
Competed at the top level and reached the final of the inaugural ONE Malaysian Featherweight Tournament.
MT
South Malaysian Muay Thai champion
A striking pedigree built from a Taekwondo black belt through to Muay Thai and MMA.
UB
Founder of Ultimate Beatdown
Malaysia's longest-running grassroots fight league, launching the next generation of fighters.
Recognised across Malaysian MMA
Coach Melvin and UMAhave been covered by national media and the sport's biggest names — from The Star to ONE Championship.
- The StarIt's all or nothing for Melvin 'Overkill' Yeoh · 2013Read →
- ONE ChampionshipCoach Melvin Yeoh Shares His Expectations For Jihin Radzuan · 2020Read →
- MMAWeeklyONE FC's Resident School Teacher Turned MMA FighterRead →
- MMAmaniaMalaysia's most successful MMA fighter chases his ONE FC dream · 2012Read →
- BernamaJohor trio set sights on gold at World Muay Thai meet · 2024Read →
- WikipediaMelvin Yeoh — Malaysian MMA pioneerRead →
Train under the pioneer
No experience, fitness or gear needed — your first class is this week.