Two months ago, AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor was in the hospital and faced a life-threatening situation.
The 43-year-old was diagnosed with a head tumor, which doctors described as potentially fatal. In order to save his life, he had to have surgery to get the tumor removed.
“It was a very risky procedure,” the mixed martial arts pioneer emotionally says.
“I’ve had it there for three years, and the doctors told me it could be fatal if I don’t have it removed immediately as it was a cancerous tumor.”
It was not an easy decision, as he had to sacrifice his training schedule for nearly three months.
“I’m stubborn and I’ve ignored it for way too long, but I decided I must go for it to save my own life,” he admits. “I spent five nights in the hospital and even then, I started to get restless.”
AJ, the ONE Featherweight Malaysia Tournament Champion, started stretching in the hospital room and practicing his breathing techniques.
That was the only semblance of martial arts training he could possibly do at that point in time.
However, just days after the tumor was removed, he returned to the gym.
“As soon as I got discharged, I went to see my family, and next, I was back training. I did light cardio and stretching, and picked it up from there,” he explains.
“After a month, I started training my striking, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and mixed martial arts, and it surprised me that despite my condition, I was still in good shape.
“While at the gym, I kept on looking back. [I am] so thankful to be able to continue this journey because I was just fighting for my life.”
That was the moment “Pyro” decided to text officials from ONE Championship.
He was eager to make his return to the cage and resume his professional mixed martial arts career.
“My goal has always been to fight. Martial arts is my life,” he says.
“After I survived the surgery, it gave me extra motivation, allowing me to have this small sense of belief that I can fight next year. I already feel stronger. I told them I’m ready.”
Mansor will face Indonesia’s Yohan “The Iceman” Mulia Legowo at ONE: ETERNAL GLORY, which emanates from the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday, 19 January.
It will be the first time the Malaysian has competed for the promotion in two years, but he is prepared and could not be any more thankful for the opportunity to step into the cage again.
“Thank you to ONE Championship for giving me this chance,” he says.
“I believe I’m ready, and it’s such an honor to be part of the first show of 2019. I’m really excited… it’s been a tough journey.”
Astro Awani
Fri Dec 21 2018
![AJ Pyro opens up about his life-saving surgery AJ Pyro opens up about his life-saving surgery](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-01/61484385015_OneChampionship.jpg)
AJ, the ONE Featherweight Malaysia Tournament Champion, started stretching in the hospital room and practicing his breathing techniques.
![Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721021538_TBSHAMSUL.jpg)
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
![PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024 PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710922383_MasErmieyatiSamsud.jpg)
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
Masuk Pas untuk sama-sama susah dengan rakyat - ADUN Rembia
Muhamad Jailani berkata, sebelum ini beliau pernah menghantar surat kepada Lembaga Disiplin UMNO memohon untuk memecat keahliannya daripada parti Melayu itu.
[TERKINI] Astro dipilih sebagai penyiar rasmi Olimpik Paris 2024
Astro dipilih sebagai penyiar rasmi bagi Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 bermula hujung bulan ini.
[TERKINI] Speaker DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi Muhammad Jailani
DUN Melaka masih menunggu surat rasmi daripada Pas berhubung tindakan ADUN Rembia, Datuk Muhamad Jailani Khamis yang menyertai Pas.
Sasar sumbang RM500 bilion kepada kdnk tempoh tiga tahun
Selangor perlu merancakkan semula kapasiti pembuatan untuk tidak hanya memenuhi keperluan tempatan, tetapi menjadikan negeri itu sebagai asas kepada pelan peluasan ke rantau Asia Tenggara dan Asia.
![Wanita dihempap kayu balak mula sedarkan diri Wanita dihempap kayu balak mula sedarkan diri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720789446_Wanitadihempapkay.jpg)
Wanita dihempap kayu balak mula sedarkan diri
Wanita yang nyaris maut akibat dihempap kayu balak dalam kejadian di lampu isyarat di Persimpangan Bendahara, Jalan Gua Musang-Kuala Krai di sini 9 Julai lepas, kini dilaporkan mula sedarkan diri.
Sah suspek anggota polis
Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan mengesahkan suspek bunuh Nur Farah Kartini, ialah anggota polis.
Suspek juga yang dipercayai teman lelaki mangsa dan bertugas di Perak.
Suspek juga yang dipercayai teman lelaki mangsa dan bertugas di Perak.
![MMA: AJ sudah bersedia untuk beraksi di Jakarta MMA: AJ sudah bersedia untuk beraksi di Jakarta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-01/51546879404_AJPyro.jpg)
MMA: AJ sudah bersedia untuk beraksi di Jakarta
AJ Lias Mansor kini bersedia untuk memberikan persembahan yang hebat pada acara ONE Championship di Jakarta, Indonesia, 19 Januari ini.
![MMA: Sembuh dari ketumbuhan di kepala, AJ kembali lebih bersemangat MMA: Sembuh dari ketumbuhan di kepala, AJ kembali lebih bersemangat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-01/51546879404_AJPyro.jpg)
MMA: Sembuh dari ketumbuhan di kepala, AJ kembali lebih bersemangat
Atlet veteran ONE Championship AJ Pyro Lias Mansor mendedahkan tentang pembedahan yang menyelamatkan nyawanya dan memungkinkan kemunculan semula beliau ke gelanggang.