For master Vusi, martial arts has much more to offer than just cheap thrills; therefore, he has made it his mission to make sure South Africa gives the sport the recognition it deserves.
In 2016, Vuyisile Colossa was ordained as a Mixed Martial Arts Master and The Highest of freestyle martial artist recipient by the Martial Arts Cultural Association of the syndicate of Top Ten.
Not forgetting in 2014 he founded the IMPI World Series with live coverage from NowTV Sports, gaining the reputation as Hong Kong’s original caged mixed martial arts (MMA) event.
With so many accolades under his belt, it seems disrespectful to not put “master” before his name, while also being dubbed The Cheetah by a commentator due to his speed in the ring.
He grew up watching kung fu films such as Enter The Dragon in a small mining town in the Free State.
“In primary school, you play around with your friends doing karate moves. One day this guy kicked me really hard and I had this moment where I decided that I need to learn how to protect myself,” said Vusi.
In high school, Vusi did kickboxing and thereafter began competing at an amateur level.
He got an award in Bloemfontein where he was recognised 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.
In 2008, Vusi moved to Hong Kong to work at a gym where his skill got noticed and his international career flourished.
“A month in Hong Kong turned into 10 years,” said Vusi.
He sees Hong Kong as being a playground for martial artists, as the city has a history in martial arts and it just made sense 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 businessmen 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 as he feels most professional fighters are not recognised 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.
When it comes to training, Vusi loves to run, but does not pressure himself to train to 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.
Vusi retired briefly in 2018, although he still continues to fight, but 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 a passion for fitness.
“She definitely is the one,” said Vusi.
The Bedfordview couple is aiming for a fitness empire, but for Vusi family is everything. Being away from SA for so long has made him realise he needs his family around.
For 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, then fighting. You cannot fight in martial arts with anger. I feel the general public believe martial arts is just about fighting. I would like people to respect the sport of martial arts more,” said Vusi.
