For Master Vusi, martial arts offer much more than cheap thrills; therefore, he has made it his mission to ensure that South Africa gives the sport the recognition it deserves.
In 2016, Vuyisile Colossa was ordained as a mixed martial arts master and The Highest freestyle martial artist recipient by the Martial Arts Cultural Association of the syndicate of Top Ten.
Not forgetting that in 2014, he founded the IMPI World Series, which had live coverage from NowTV Sports and gained the reputation as Hong Kong’s original caged mixed martial arts (MMA) event.
With so many accolades under his belt, it seems disrespectful not to put “master” before his name. A commentator has also dubbed him The Cheetah due to his speed in the ring.
He grew up in a small mining town in the Free State, watching kung fu films such as Enter the Dragon.
“In primary school, you play around with your friends doing karate moves. One day, this guy kicked me hard, and I had this moment where I decided that I needed to learn how to protect myself,” said Vusi.
In high school, Vusi did kickboxing and began competing at an amateur level.
He got an award in Bloemfontein, where he was recognized professionally, and his martial arts career kicked off.
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Vusi also moved easily into MMA fighting, which he saw as second nature, and debuted in 2010 in Macau as an MMA fighter and promoter.
, where his skills were used in Hong Kong to work at a gym, his skills got noticed, and his international career flourished.
“A month in Hong Kong turned into 10 years,” said Vusi.
He sees Hong Kong as a playground for martial artists. The city has a history in martial arts, and it just made sense for him to further his career as a professional fighter.
Vusi also became a promoter for international events by producing Asia’s first corporate fund-raising White Collar MMA Championship in 2012, whereby he transformed business people such as bankers into real fighters.
“I loved being a promoter in Hong Kong; it also involved a lot of charities, which made it so much more worthwhile,” said Vusi.
Vusi finds solace in being a promoter. He feels most professional fighters are not recognized as much as they should be, especially in South Africa.
“I want to bridge the gap between international and national fighting. I want to build a platform for South African mixed martial arts,” said Vusi.
Regarding training, Vusi loves to run but does not pressure himself to train too intensely.
“I do what I feel like doing on that day, I do what I want, and I do what I can. There will be some days when my body can’t handle training. Some days I do yoga,” said
Vusi retired from Brie in 2018. Although he continues to fight, he focuses on promoting martial arts and the sport that comes with it.
“I want to be an idol in martial arts. I want to inspire someone like me who is growing up in a mining town and would love to be a martial artist,” said Vusi.
Vusi would like to develop young talent and make them privy to the world standard of martial arts.
For Vusi, martial arts is more spiritual and less about physical fighting.
“I see fighting more of showcasing your skills. It’s more about inner power,” said Vusi.
Vusi met actress Khabonina Qubeka in 2015; they met at a business meeting and connected over their love of fitness.
“I love how passionate she is; she has a passion for people and fitness.
“She is the one,” said Vusi.
The Bedfordview couple is aiming for a fitness empire, but for the Vusi family, it is everything. Being away from SA for so long has made him realize he needs his family around.
In the future, Vusi will continue to wave the flag for martial arts in SA by promoting and educating the public on the sport.
“Martial arts is more about safety and control than fighting. You cannot fight in martial arts with anger. I feel the general public believes martial arts is just about fighting. I want people to respect the sport of martial arts more,” said Vusi.
