Asia's martial arts capital is ... Singapore?

by James Goyder

Singapore is renowned for its strict laws, clean streets and rapid urbanization. Martial arts? Not so much.

But that's fast changing. Over the years the city-state has quietly been building up its credentials to emerge as the fight capital of Asia. 

Here's a fistful of reasons to put doubters into submission. 

Mixed martial arts (MMA) combines several different fight styles, and is one of the fastest growing sports on the planet. Giving the sport further legitimacy, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation was founded in Sweden earlier this year. 

Much of Singapore's current martial arts success is owed to the efforts of two Asian entrepreneurs who chose to base their MMA businesses in the city.