From cage to kitchen, a different kind of heat awaits this former MMA superstar

Former ONE Championship mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Keanu Subba may now be found in a kitchen rather than a cage, but the one constant remains - a fierce determination. Subba, 32, is now co-managing Tony's New York Pizza, a casual pizzeria in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, as he navigates the different challenges of running a business.

Subba's transition from MMA to the pizza industry wasn't a result of a grand decision, but rather a more practical one. In 2023, Subba found himself in a difficult position, as he wasn't receiving enough fights or contracts that met his standards. With the addition of a baby on the way, Subba realized he needed a more stable career to provide for his family. This led him to return to his roots in the food and beverage industry, where he had previously worked while sidelined by an injury.

Subba's connection to pizza goes beyond his recent career move; it's a family tradition. His father was involved in food and beverage supply, and while Subba was sidelined by a broken leg during the Covid period, he worked in the F&B industry to learn the trade. This connection to food was also shared with his mentor, Tony Leone, a fellow MMA fighter and training partner.

Leone, who taught Subba discipline and perseverance, later introduced Subba to Tony's New York Pizza, which inspired him to bring this style of pizza to the Malaysian market.

Subba's move to pizza management has proven to be a different kind of fight, one that requires teamwork and coordination. Unlike MMA, where he was alone in the cage, Subba now has to manage a team, ensuring everyone is in sync and working towards a common goal. For someone who had once controlled his own preparation and performance, learning to manage others has proved to be an entirely new challenge.