Agilan used to be a janitor now he's an MMA fighter

Agilan (right) dominated his fight against Taiwan’s Jeff Huang during the ONE Championship match at Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur in February. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan

For two and a half years, Agilan “Alligator” Thani washed toilets, swept and mopped floors, and did the laundry at the gym where he was learning mixed-martial arts (MMA).

While most kids that age would probably depend on their parents, Agilan who turns 22 in August, just wanted to be independent. He did not want to burden his dad who was a single parent.