Master Mehrdad Promotes a New Mixed Martial Art

August 2010 Issue - Zebra Mats E-Newsletter

Master Mehrdad Promotes a New Mixed Martial Art


Master Mehrdad Moayedi operates a highly successful martial arts and Muay Thai training center in Tampa Bay, Florida where he teaches more than 150 students. He discovered a lifelong passion for martial arts very early in life. As a three year old in Iran, he first practiced Judo. He soon started wrestling and was a five-time champion in his home country.

Throughout his extensive career, he has trained in Kung-Fu, Tae Keuk Do, Hapkido, Muay Thai and Persian Kushti Kaj, earning black belt ranks in several of these arts. He is an 8th degree black belt in Hapkido and the Heavyweight Title Holder of Shin Do Kumaté. One of his opponents in his fighting career includes Rick “The Jet” Roufus, 6 time world champion.

After the revolution in Iran, he travelled the world and lived in India, Pakistan, Tibet, Holland, and Canada. He eventually moved to Tampa Bay and opened the first Muay Thai School in the Florida back in 1992.

Master Mehrdad found that the politics of martial arts negatively affected these great sports. He wanted to work with others who were interested in highlighting the best aspects of martial arts training and professional competition. "I saw the amount of effort and work these athletes were investing in their training and for events. Their fighting spirit was amazing and I wanted to provide a stage to showcase their skills and talents. I also saw that female fighters were taken advantage of in the industry and fighting without pads while not getting paid a fight purse, so as a father of two female fighters I took a stand for them and took female fighters pro and provided them with fight purses and title fights,” he said.

Master Mehrdad figured fans would come to see events with rules that called for more fast paced fights and much more explosive techniques. He was fascinated by the early stage Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) from early 90s because they brought traditional artists using different skills and multiple styles, but with the turn of ownership felt that it lacked the honor, skill, and technique that he once admired. As a traditional martial artist, he felt that stand up striking arts were more explosive and exciting to watch. He developed a striking style called Shin Do Kumaté, and launched his own company bearing his initials, MKM Knockout Promotions, LLC, to promote professional bouts. His company titled World Shin Do Kumaté Association, Inc. produces a series of amateur events to promote and build new athletes since fighters begin training at such an early age.

Shin Do Kumaté allows explosive elbow strikes, knees, kicks to entire body, throws and sweeps but does not include ground grappling. Instead it allows for stand up wrestling and Muay Thai clinches. Events are contested in a ring and fighters wear standard boxing gloves. His company has copyrighted the rules and registered their intellectual property. Shin Do Kumaté features professional male and female fighters from around the world and the events are broadcast via television networks worldwide.

In 2002, he was the first promoter/fighter to produce a professional Muay Thai event in the state of Florida. Since that time, he has produced fifteen very successful professional shows for television and since 1995 he has produced the Master Mehrdad Muay Thai Classic events for amateur kickboxers.

Master Mehrdad differentiates his events by matching the toughest, most exciting fighters against each other ensuring that the level of entertainment is always high. Because his shows are well attended, he has attracted several sponsors and has now partnered with a casino agency to produce casino shows for television worldwide.

He is capitalizing on the popularity of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). "The UFC paved the road and created a platform for Shin Do Kumaté," he noted. "Boxing has been around for more than a hundred years but it is dying due to not producing athletes like Mohammad Ali. While many corporations are reluctant to be involved with the UFC because of the violence in the cage, our events offer an exciting alternative. Great entertainment combined with highly skilled and quality athletes who tap into the honor and tradition of the sport," he commented.

His approach has worked well. Since 2002, his professional league was broadcast on Time Warner, Fox, ESPN, and other pay-per-view outlets. His audience is made up of 12-57 year olds and he's even been able to attract large numbers of women.

Master Mehrdad's partnership with Zebra has been very beneficial. "I really respect Zebra as a company. Their products are the best quality and they do everything they can to service our gym and our promotions company," he commented. "We use Zebra's full line of equipment and we’re proud to endorse the brand."

Master Mehrdad discovered along the way, that not all organizations were excited about his events. "The state boxing commission was a real challenge for us. All they cared about were the fees they felt they were entitled to. We needed their sanction to hold professional shows but Muay Thai should be governed by a Muay Thai-specific organization," he stated. He's even considered launching a national governing body to help organize the sport in the U.S.

Always striving to improve, Master Mehrdad has set some ambitious goals for his business. "I'd like to bring in TV partnerships and bigger, stronger sponsors. I'm very selective, however, in the companies we choose. They have to be a good fit and they must be interested to grow their brand globally," he mentioned.

As it stands, ESPN will be airing several Shin Do Kumaté events internationally, and Strykerz TV will be streaming them via the Internet. Master Mehrdad also hosts a weekly TV show in the U.S. and Canada.

"I really enjoy the marketing, public relations, and the entertainment side of this industry. Finding the right athletes and pairing them in exciting fights is also a thrill. I'm very interested in the personal stories of the athletes who compete and to see how their discipline carries into their personal lives," he commented. Master Mehrdad is also an accomplished social networker, leveraging Facebook and YouTube whenever possible.

If you're in the Tampa Bay area, be sure to drop by his training center and checkout the programs he offers. The Dojang website is: http://www.mastermehrdad.com. To learn more about exciting Shin Do Kumaté events, visit the website at: http://www.shindoKumaté.com
Author: Todd A. Brehe, TBrehe@gmail.com

Persian Warrior - Master Mehrdad Fight Resume

Weight: 235 Lbs.
Height: 6 Feet 1 ½ Inches
Sign: Aries
Place of Birth: Sari, Iran
Hometown: Saint Petersburg, Fla
Residency: US Citizen

Fighting Experience

December 8, 2006 Shin Do Kumaté XI, Pro Full Contact Martial Arts, Tampa, Florida.
Master Mehrdad fought Against Ethan Cox - Winner

March 4, 2006 Shin Do Kumaté IX, Pro Full Contact Martial Arts, Tampa, Florida.
Master Mehrdad fought six-time World Champ Rick “The Jet” Roufus. The fight was stopped towards in the third round due to Master Mehrdad's left knee buckling.
Re-match is currently in the works for future Shin Do Kumaté fight.

February 15, 2003 Shin Do Kumaté II, Professional Full Contact Martial Arts, Tampa, Florida. Winner of Heavyweight Main Event against Lane Collyer, ISKA & IKF Southeast Title Holder.

February, 2002 Nominated to fight in K-1 Elimination Tournament, Melbourne, Australia

July 7, 2001 Nominated to fight in K-1 European Elimination Full Contact Championship, Istanbul, Turkey.

May 19, 2000 Toughman Contest, Lakeland, Florida.
Winner by brutal KO against Jay “Jiggy” Thompson

March 1999 Nominated to fight in K1 Grand Prix, Osaka, Japan.

October 1997 Sabaki Challenge Championship, Denver, Colorado. Finalist - Full Contact, No Pads, No Gloves.
Disqualified for accidental face strike

June 1997 Best of the Best World Full Contact Championship, Winter Haven, Florida
Winner by KO - dislocated opponent’s shoulder (same rules as UFC)

1989 - 1990 Grand Master Park - Tae Kwon Do “Open Style” Championship, Toronto, Canada.
Winner - Black Belt Division: Continuous Full Contact Fighting.

1977 – 1982 Ancient Persian Wrestling – Champion for five consecutive years - Sari, Iran

Fighting Record

39 wins-5 loses-0, 35 KO’s

Skills & Defending Art

6th Dan Kong Shin Bup Hapkido, 8th Dan World Shin Do & Ancient Hapkido/Shaolin Kung-Fu Association
Destructive Kicker - powerful low & high combination kicks - Boxing with powerful knockout skills
Master of submission & pressure point joint-lock, Master of grappling, Pro Persian wrestler (Persian Kushti Kaj)


Training & History


2003 – Bobby Robare of Diamond Dutch Muay Thai
42 years of Martial Arts Training & 23 years of Muay Thai
1980 – 1991: Student of famous Chakuriki Dojo Amsterdam
1989: Earned Muay Thai Instructor Diploma by Mr. Pud Pad Noy Worawoot, the Greatest Muay Thai Fighter of all time

2003- Michael Hoffman, Pro Kickboxing Sparring Partner
Former European Kickboxing Champion – Germany
Dunedin, FL

2000 – Jason Clark, Pro Boxing Sparring Partner
St. Petersburg, FL

1997 – Londo Vivone, Pro Boxing Trainer
President Dunedin Boxing Club, Dunedin, FL
Lead 5 State Championships in Des Moines, Iowa
Named Head Coach of All-Iowa Golden Gloves at “National Tournament of Champions”

1987 – Master Reza Ghasry, Kicking Trainer
6th Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
3-time World Tae Kwon Do Champion
Canadian National Team Coach

1984 – 1995 Grandmaster Inn Shuk Pak
Traditional Eastern Martial Arts Training
Additional Grandmasters in Asia & Europe
• Grandmaster Luyen Van Hoang
• Grandmaster Choon Lee

1990 – 1991 Hapkido Master Hwang, Trainer
Appeared in movie with Chuck Norris/Bruce Lee
Co-starred in movie “Drunken Master” with Jackie Chan
Actor in Hong Kong

1986 – Early 1987 Trained in various schools in Amsterdam, Holland
Dutch Kick Boxing and Wrestling gym

1968 – 1984 Ostad Hassen Vaghiey, Massoud Moayedi, Manochar Moayedi, Jamshedi, Mustafa Jalilzadah;
Zourkhan, Kushti Kaj, Wrestling, Iranian Kung Fu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do

Certifications

March 15, 1991 Hapkido 2nd Degree Certification – by Grandmaster Inn Shuk Pak

March 1, 1994 Hapkido 4th Degree Certification – by Grandmaster Inn Shuk Pak

May 15, 1995 Hapkido 6th Degree Black Belt “Master” Certification – by Grandmaster Inn Shuk Pak

March 21, 2001 World Shin Do 8th Degree Black Belt – by World Shin Do & Ancient Hapkido/Shaolin Kung-Fu Association
2006 U.S.A Martial Arts “Hall Of Fame” By Dr. Jim Thomas

Mehrdad Khan Moayedi - Model Actor & Pro Fighter

Personal Data:
Height: 6’1 ½” Hair: Black
Weight: 225-235 lbs. Eyes: Brown
Size: 44 Complexion: White
Shirt: 16 ½ - 17 Shoes: 11 – 12
Languages: Persian, English

Education:
Eleanor Fulcher, Ltd: Professional Modeling School
Theatre Workshop: Monologue: “Accent Reduction”
Voice: Bill Vincent
Acting for the Camera: Dan Pawlick
Audition Workshop for Film and TV: Dan Pawlick
Second City School / Comedy and Improvisation: Bruce Hunter
Shurtleff Scene Study: Bernadette Jones

Film, Television and Theatre Experience:

Savage World Production for History Channel Pilot, Saint Petersburg, Fl (Fort De Soto Park)
Associate Producer: Emily Yacus
Director: Vinnie Kralyevich
Position: Medicine Man/Jivaro
Date: December 25, 2007
Naked Lunch Production Movie, Toronto
Producer: Jeremy Thomas
Director: David Cronenberg
Position: Drug Slave
North of Ching Mai, Toronto
Producer: Ching Mai Productions
Position: Businessman
Street Legal Movie, Toronto
Position: Businessman
Return of Elliot Ness, Toronto
Position: Gangster
The Spirit is Willing (English Comedy, Tampa Performing Arts Center, Florida)
Producer/Director: Earl Porter
Position: Italian Lover
Modeling Experience:
Armani/Boss Design Fashion Runway: Amsterdam (1986-1987)
Armani/Boss Design Fashion Runway: Toronto, Canada (1988-1991)
Stella Talent Agency: Florida, United States (1993)
Fashion Runway: Dillard’s Men’s Clothing
Stage Mannequin: Dillard’s Spring Clothes
Body Shot Pose: Exclusive One Mane Place (Beauty Salon)
Georgette Fashion Design (1994-1999): Celebrity Fashion Show at Belleview Baltimore Resort, Clearwater, Florida
-Celebrity 9th Annual Children’s Home Fashion Show
-Tampa Hyatt Benefit for the Northside Mental Health
-Event Guide Tampa Bay Magazine

Skills and Professional Accreditations:

• Active Professional Martial Arts Fighter & Thai Boxing
• Appearing in Shin Do Kumaté fighting events televised on major PPV & Networks
• Martial Arts Master in Eight (8) Dan Internal and External Kung Fu / Hapkido
• Grappling Arts, Thai Kickboxing and Western Boxing, Full Contact and No Holds Barred Martial Arts Fighter, Persian Wrestling, Stuntman, Swimming, Skiing, Horseback riding & more.
To know more about me please visit both of my companies and my achievement: www.mastermehrdad.com / www.mkmfights.com

Sweet Wheat impacts Master Mehrdad's Training result

My name is Master Mehrdad Khan Moayedi and I am an 8th Dan Black Belt. My history in the Martial Arts goes back 40 years, learning traditional fundamentals under the greatest Grand Masters from around the world. 18 years ago I started teaching traditional Martial Arts in the Tampa Bay area and have since developed my own unique style of Martial Arts under my organization World Shin Do Kumaté Association, Inc. In 2002, I founded an international fighting sport “Shin Do Kumaté that is produced for television and distributed worldwide.

Growing up in the Far East provided me the privilege of eating a very nutritious and organic diet. I have lived in the West for the past two decades where it’s very hard to eat properly with our fast paced lives and the lack of nutrition in my body was frustrating because I was not accustomed to this lifestyle. As a very active individual, my body craved nutrition and no matter how healthy my diet or how many supplements I tried to fill the void, it was not enough because as an athlete I needed more than what I could get from food or a protein shake.

As a professional fighter with a rigorous training regimen, I do not believe in putting creatine, steroids, performance enhancements, or anything in my body for a quick fix. I am too old schooled for that and I only seek nutrition in its purest form. That is why I was so happy I came across Sweet Wheat, a wheat grass nutritional supplement of the purest form. And of all the wheat grass supplements I have found, Sweet Wheat is the only product I have found that can be ingested at a point where it provides the most effective results and I can feel it immediately and it’s effects are long-lasting because it contains the nutrients my body needs. I feel rejuvenated and energetic all throughout the day. Even my daughter says she noticed my legs are more defined than ever since I started Sweet Wheat.

I believe in this product so much that my company has partnered with Sweet Wheat and I strongly recommend it to all my athletes that I personally train to take the product daily, including my family. I proudly endorse Sweet Wheat and urge all people, whether you’re an athlete or not, try this product. I promise you will feel the difference in your body and be well on your way to a healthier life.
www.sweetwheat.com
www.mastermehrdad.com

30-Day Body Transformation™

30-Day Body Transformation (Persian Meel and Kettlebells Training with Master Mehrdad)This program using Persian Kattlebells, as well as Persian Meel, Ankle weights and plyametrics training. Receive one-on-one attention in small group sessions. This class suits a fighter wanting to gain more explosive power and speed, or someone who just wants to tone or lose weight quickly. Please note this is a special 30-day program that is separate from other membership tuition. This program design by Master Mehrdad with years of experience in fitness & strength training for top athlete and people who wants to achieve ultimate body. www.mastermehrdad.com

Trying back in the ring to fight again

For the past 8 to 10 years I had to put off my passion in fighting and motivational PR, because I had to promote my two company MKM Knockout Promotions and World Shin Do Kumate Association. But I think finally time coming around for me to get back into the ring again, showing what I can do as true traditional fighter and properly can bring much more what you have now on the market. Thank you for reading this and follow me.

Master Mehrdad Moayedi
Persian Warrior

www.mastermehrdad.com
www.mkmfights.com
www.strykerz.tv