From Humble Beginnings to MMA Pioneer: Radeem Rahman’s Remarkable Journey
In the heart of Singapore’s bustling fitness scene, a remarkable story unfolds—a story of resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.Â
This narrative belongs to Radeem Rahman, a Singaporean mixed martial artist (MMA), who has transcended numerous challenges to become a pioneering figure in the world of MMA in Singapore. From his early days as a reluctant fighter to his current role as a gym owner, Radeem’s journey is nothing short of inspirational.
Radeem’s story begins with his father, Abdul Rahman, who was not just the family’s breadwinner but also a devoted combat sports enthusiast. Initially uninterested, Radeem found himself reluctantly drawn into the world of Muay Thai and boxing, thanks to his father’s persistent encouragement.
Training with national boxers since young was no easy feat for an inexperienced fighter like Radeem. Despite the physical toll, he persevered, with the mantra instilled by his father: “There is always someone better than you; never get carried away and keep working.”
As Radeem grew older, his interests expanded beyond boxing. He explored disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, broadening his martial arts horizons. In 2009, he made a pivotal decision to join Evolve, one of the most prestigious MMA gyms in Singapore. Under the guidance of world-class trainers, Radeem honed his skills and quickly rose through the ranks.
However, financial difficulties hit him as he could not afford to pay for the gym membership at Evolve. Driven by his passion and desire, Radeem Rahman undertook a challenging journey. For months, he juggled multiple part-time jobs and worked up to 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. His unwavering dedication bore fruit when Evolve presented him with the opportunity to work and train for free.
After intense training sessions in the gym, Redeem became one of the first Singaporeans to compete in ONE Championship in 2011. However, his professional career was marked by even more adversity as injuries piled up. From dislocated fingers and torn ligaments to fractured bones. Despite the multitude of seemingly endless injuries, Radeem refused to call it quits. Not only did he do extensive physiotherapy to get back in shape physically, he also took steps to ensure that his mental strength would be stronger as ever, All his hard work paid off as Radeem returned to the ring with a triumphant rear naked choke submission victory in 2018.
Today, Radeem Rahman stands as Singapore’s MMA pioneer. In addition to his achievements in the ring, Radeem recently opened his own gym: RR Fitness and Wellness, before re-branding it to MMA Fitness Lab in mid 2023 to help others achieve their fitness goals. To streamline the administrative work required to manage a boutique gym, Radeem chose to partner with us, vibefam, a local fitness software solution!Â
vibefam has proven invaluable in simplifying his gym operations, allowing Radeem to focus on training and providing top-notch fitness experience to his clients.
Radeem’s life journey—from a reluctant young boy to an MMA pioneer and gym owner—is a testament to the power of determination, family support, and unwavering commitment to one’s dreams. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring fighters and a reminder that with the right mindset, one can overcome the most challenging obstacles.
Check out our interview with Radeem!Â
This article was written by Jaren Wong.