Get Ripped and Go Toe to Toe With Former UFC Fighter Albert Cheng; Classes in Shuangjing and Shaoyaoju

Have you ever wondered what it's like to go toe to toe with a pro MMA fighter? Well, now's your chance to dabble (and potentially regret) in exactly that by heading to Shaoyaoju or Shuangjing, where former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitor Albert Cheng has begun to teach mixed martial arts classes. And while the Canadian-Chinese fighter isn't looking to beat you into submission, he's more than happy to help whip you into shape with what he calls regiment uniquely suited to anyone who's grown bored with repetitive gym workouts.

Cheng, whose father is from Hunan, grew up in Canada and has toured much of Asia as a competitive professional fighter along with his teammates at Evolucao Thai (which bills itself as Toronto's first MMA school). In 2014 he snagged the opportunity that every aspiring fighter dreams of when he won a spot on the UFC in Macau Fight Night. However that promising success was "short lived," according to The Fight Nation, which describes the 31-year-old Cheng "being cut from the UFC" due to a doctor stoppage loss (defined as when "the referee calls for a time out if a fighter's ability to continue is in question as a result of apparent injuries").

But like any determined competitor, Cheng kept on fighting, diverting his efforts into smaller MMA organizations like Road FC. The Fight Nation says he went "on to rack up a five-fight win streak" after his UFC letdown, an admirable comeback that Cheng hopes to continue by building an MMA team here in Beijing. Wether you'd like to one day fight alongside Cheng as a member of that team, or simply get fit with a more engaging workout than what you'd find at most gyms, you can find out more about his dreams for mainland fighting dominance below. 

How did you first get involved in MMA?
I am a Chinese-Canadian that has been fighting professionally for over seven years. Having fought internationally in the largest organizations in the world including the UFC and Road FC, I am now settling into Beijing, teaching MMA classes. My plan is to fight in a big organization again sometime this summer.

Tell us about your Beijing classes.
Currently I am offering MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling classes.

How are these classes are beneficial?
For one, you not only get a hell of a workout but learn a very useful life skill at the same time. You will develop strength, power, flexibility, coordination, and experience some fat loss. This is extremely well suited for those that don't like the monotony of going to regular fitness gyms.

Martial arts, as cliché as it may sound, will help you develop discipline and confidence. As one gets into better shape, it will influence their confidence and motivation to take things further.

What's your personal daily regiment like?
I will do my strength and conditioning about two to three times a week in the early morning and then teach classes twice a day, six days a week. I will often train with my students when I teach as well, so it can add up to a lot of sessions in a week.

Recovery is super important. Sleep is very underrated, as it is the time when the body recoups the most. I try to get 7-8 hours a night. As for food, there isn't really much of a secret. I eat smaller portions every three hours and will try to consume as many fresh vegetables, fruit, and meat as possible while reducing carbohydrates – yes, I know that's very difficult in China [laughs].

What's next for you in China?
I do plan to have fight again at the end of the summer. I am not too sure in what organization, but hopefully it will be in Beijing.

My other goal is to establish a MMA team here in Beijing like none before. I will build a MMA school with a curriculum that separates the beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. This will allow for maximum development and fun.

Cheng is teaching classes at two Beijing locations:

Shaoyaoju location
315 Shaoyao Ju Beili, Xingyun Gedou Huiguan, Chaoyang District
朝阳区行云格斗会馆芍药居北里315号
Wednesdays and Fridays 7.30pm-9.30pm

Shuangjing location
16-05, Complex D, Jing Fuli City, Tongxin Daoguan, Shuangjing, Chaoyang District
朝阳区双井同心道馆富力城D区16-05
Every Tuesday 11am-12.30pm

To join, buy a membership card from the gym of your choice for RMB 6980 per year, or RMB 2,700 per season (three months), or RMB 4,000 for half a year. Fees include access to the gym's facilities and all classes with Cheng. Private classes are RMB 600 per hour each. For more information, call 8462 9688 or email Cheng at albertchengmma@gmail.com and be sure to follow his eye catching Instagram at ac5

More stories by this author here.

Email: kylemullin@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @MulKyle

Photos courtesy of Albert Cheng