Issue 033
January 2008
MMA Down Under
Sydney, Australia’s most popular city for tourists, has long been a destination for international travellers. With a laid-back attitude, Aussies go about their business enjoying the delights of sun and surf right on their doorstep. If you’re planning a trip overseas the Land of ‘Oz’ is hard to beat, and though a perfect destination in itself, Sydney is also a great springboard for the rest of this expansive country.
Fights
Old attitudes persist and promoters have encountered opposition from local government, yet MMA in Sydney is starting to go ahead with events such as ‘CFC’ and ‘X-Agon’. The CFC hosted only their second show in November, and they promote local Cuban ex-pat and Pride veteran Hector Lombard. The real spot for watching fights is up on the Gold Coast in Queensland, with many MMA and Muay Thai events taking place in the area in and around Surfer’s Paradise.
Training
Sydney has two particularly well-known training centres, with smaller more ‘hardcore’ gyms run by resident Brazilians. The number of Australia’s MMA fighters who compete internationally is increasing, with world-class MMA fighters and grapplers now coming from the land down under.
Bruno Panno, a Royler Gracie black belt who coaches the ganrly kickboxer-turned-MMA fighter Ian Schaffa. Jorge Pereira, a BJJ teacher who runs the cage event X-agon and Mark Hunt’s BJJ coach Macello Rezende.
SPMA
(South West Sydney location: Ste 1 & 2, Level 1 224-238 George St, Liverpool NSW 2170. Inner West Sydney location: 29A Majors Bay Rd, Concord NSW 2137. Web: www.sinosicperosh.com.au)
Sinosic-Perosh Martial Arts (SPMA) is one of Australia's best-known martial arts academies, specialising in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA. With two UFC veterans at the helm of the gym in Elvis Sinosic and Anthony Perosh, they have a full schedule in two locations with supplementary activities such as conditioning and yoga.
Boxing Works
(Level 1, 167 Castlreagh St, Sydney NSW 2000. Phone: +61 2 9283 6421, Email: [email protected], Web: www.boxingworks.com.au)
Located in the heart of Sydney, Boxing Works is one of Sydney's top fitness, boxing, kickboxing and martial arts centres. The gym is owned and operated by Larry Papadopolous, one of Australia's most successful martial artists, fighting in Shooto in Japan and trainer of many top grapplers. Aside from boxing and Muay Thai classes, the gym offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Olympic freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling and much more.
Lions Den Academy
(1/266 Kingsgrove Rd, Kingsgrove, Belmore, Sydney 2192. Web: www.lionsdenacademy.com.au. Email: [email protected])
Not affiliated to the Shamrock Lion’s Den, this gym (situated out in West Sydney, past the airport) is run by Luke Pezzutti, a BJJ black belt, amateur boxer and MMA fighter. The gym has trained State and Australian BJJ champions, as well as Pankration champions, MMA fighters and amateur kickboxers, and features international level freestyle wrestling coaching.
Bulldog Gym
(Unit 2-4, Hayes Street, Balgowlah, Sydney. Phone: +61 2 9949 3533. Web: www.thaiboxing.com.au)
The most hardcore gym in Sydney in terms of MMA and Muay Thai fighters, Bulldog has numerous MMA and Muay Thai champs and is home to fighters such as Ian Schaffa. Can be found in the Northern Suburb of Manly.
VT-1 Gym
(19 Mt Williams St (Off Carlotta Ave), Gordon, North Sydney 2072. Phone: +61 2 9418 4589. Web: www.vt1gym.com. Email: [email protected])
Around 20km north of central Sydney, the VT-1 gym is run by Liam and Dylan Reskenov, the former a successful MMA fighter and grappler, the latter a champion Muay Thai fighter. Though a short train journey out of the city would be required, the chance to train with them would be worth it.
Where to stay
A Mecca for travellers from around the world, Sydney has accommodation to suit all tastes, from backpacker to businessman.
Sydney Central YHA
(11 Rawson Place, Corner of Pitt St and Rawson Place (opposite Central Station)
Sydney 2000. Phone: +61 2 9218 9000, Email: [email protected], Web: www.yha.com.au)
This heritage-listed building houses a luxurious hostel opposite the Central Station and is a stopping point for many international visitors. With panoramic views of the city from the outdoor rooftop area, they have a relatively-luxurious heated pool and sauna. Featuring self-catering kitchens, dining rooms, laundries, games room, TV rooms, and locker hire, the hostel was named 'Best Backpacker Accommodation of the Decade' in a recent poll. Close to Darling Harbour, Chinatown, Sydney Casino and the Fish Markets as well as shops, backpacker pubs, cafes, clubs and cinemas.
Bondi Sands
(252 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, Sydney 2026. Phone: +61 2 9365 4900, Web: www.bondisands.com)
Known as one of Sydney's best kept secrets, The Bondi Sands is a place for the discerning global traveler. Facilities include several ocean-view rooms with Queen sized beds, along with double, twin or triple bedrooms and dorms. The Bondi Sands is located on the trendy end of Bondi just 60 metres from the sand with a rooftop deck overlooking the whole beach and the Bondi strip. Surf board hire, DVD players and Wifi access are also available.
Hotel Stellar Sydney
(4 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney NSW 2000, Sydney 2010. Phone: +61 2 9264 9754, Web: www.hotelstellar.com)
The unique and hip Hotel Stellar Sydney is a shining example of a boutique experience in the heart of Sydney. Located in the city centre, Hotel Stellar Sydney is close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street and Sydney’s ‘style mile’. Guests can walk to all major attractions and the many nearby restaurants, bars and cafes. Set behind a heritage-listed building facade, the inside features a fresh and inviting contemporary design with the latest technology and comforts.
Where to eat
It’s close proximity to South East Asia means that Australia benefits from a great mix of cuisines, as well as the more traditional European dishes brought over by early immigrants. From lamb chops to Laotian, you’ll find it in Sydney.
Bondi Tucker
(80 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, Sydney 2026, Phone +61 2 9130 8080)
This little gem’s casual appearance belies the quality of food on offer. With the freshest of supplies and excellent service, this budget eating experience is known as a great place for either breakfast or brunch, yet during the evening you can bring your own alcohol for only a $2.50 charge. Excellent value for money.
One Alfred Street
(Gold Fields House, 1 Alfred St, Circular Quay, Sydney 2000. Phone +61 2 9241 4636)
This husband and wife-run eatery offer a modern take on traditional dishes, yet with exceptional service and a kitchen that seems to operate quicker than most. This part-bistro, part-restaurant also has over twenty wines available and is popular with tourists and locals alike.
The Restaurant at The Art Gallery of NSW
(1 Art Gallery Rd, Sydney 2000. Phone: +61 2 9225 1819)
With floor-to-ceiling glass panes looking onto rotating exhibitions, the restaurant is affordable yet classy, with excellent and attentive service and well-presented food. Perfect for filling up after soaking up some culture.
Nightlife
Aussies like their beer, and Sydney is full of watering holes. Some even have 24-hour licences, but most close at either 11pm or 3am. Dress codes vary on the type of venue, and Friday nights are busiest. Pubs and bars the name of the game, with an inordinate number of Irish pubs in the city. Backpackers will be found in Kings Cross on Bondi while Darling Harbour has some large nightclubs.
There are plenty of great clubs to go to but as Sydney is a large city it is best to pre-plan where you want to go. The local free magazine called 3D world can be picked up at clothing and music shops and advises of upcoming events.
Sights
The main tourist attractions are the internationally known Opera House and the impressive and open-to-tours Harbour Bridge. The tourist precinct at Darling Harbour includes a range of activities, restaurants, museums and shopping facilities. The beaches are worth a look, with the most famous being Bondi.
Shopping
Named for the sandstone the convicts used to build it with, The Rocks is a small collection of streets that were originally slums, but now offer a shopper's paradise. Pitt Street Mall is a pedestrian-only section that runs for one block’s length between Market Street and King Street. One of Australia's busiest and most cosmopolitan shopping precincts, it is home to many flagship chain stores.
How to get around
With a Monorail operating every day of the year from early until late, a light railway system, buses and ferries, Sydney has fantastic public transport. Travelcards are easily bought from shops and can be used to get around. When in Sydney call 131 500 for travel info or go to www.131500.info.
How to get there
Sydney is a major destination and serves international flights from around the world. Travellers from Europe and the Middle East tend to travel into Sydney via Asia, while travellers from South America fly via either North America or New Zealand. The airport is located around 8km from the city centre.
When to go
Being in the Southern hemisphere the seasons are reversed, meaning that Australians enjoy blazing hot ‘winter months’. December and January are the peak of their summer, while winter months in Sydney are generally cool and not cold. Be prepared for occasional showers, as rainfall (when it does occur) can be heavy. Summer months are stiflingly hot and dry.
Sydney tips
Aussies live by the words ‘slip, slap’ slop’, meaning slip on a shirt, slap on a hat and slop on some sunscreen. The summer sun is harsh and UV exposure high, so skin care is essential.
As a rule, tipping is not expected in Sydney. If you feel the service to be worth it, a 10% gratuity is considered appropriate in most cases.
Taxi drivers change shifts at 3am, meaning it is notoriously difficult to catch a taxi anywhere between 2:30am and 3:30am.
The letters CBD (which you will see often) refer to the Central Business District, considered the centre of Sydney.
Situated across the Harbour seven miles northeast of Sydney is the suburb Manly, Sydney's premier beach resort. Manly also has a huge range of shopping, dining and entertainment attractions to keep all ages and interests occupied.
