We have many amazing people with interesting stories that walk into all our gyms! This member spotlight turns to Sovann Benoit, an aspiring Mixed Martial Arts fighter from France. Training primarily out of our Absolute MMA Collingwood location and fresh off his last bout on Path to Hex 8, Sovann has been involved in martial arts since the age of 11, and is known for his love of spinning moves. Read on to find out more about Sovann!
Occupation: Hotel Salesperson/Broke Backpacker
Martial Arts/Sports: Mixed Martial Arts
How did you get into the sport?
My father was a high level kung-fu fighter in France, so he introduced me into pad work pretty early around the age of 11/12.
What are your immediate training goals?
Don’t lose my next fight by RNC.
What are your goals for the next five years?
Still be able to fight in Australia, or in Thailand, as a professional fighter. I want to stay focused on my ground work until my visa runs out, then I’ll go to train in absolute MMA Phuket in June, and then go to Montreal in Canada to train for a couple of years, and enjoy my working holiday visa there, and then probably come back in Melbourne to see how’s everything is going at Absolute. My final plan is to have Melbourne as a home.
Why do you love training at Absolute MMA?
Because everyone is so sexy (especially Oli).
Favourite workout/walkout song?
Here comes the boom.
Nicknames & Fight Names?
I don’t really have any official nickname, I think I recently well earned Sovann “Hand Spinner” Benoit.
What do you like to do to relax besides training?
Sleeping, and eating. I’m really good at it. And not watching my weight. That’s my new hobby.
Can you tell us about where you’re from and any interesting stories growing up? If you’re not originally from Melbourne, how’d you end up living in Melbourne, Australia?
I’m from Lille, in north of France just next to Belgium. I used to be bullied when I was younger (get your tissues), until I signed up in a boxing gym when I was 14 years old. My boxing was (or is?) still pretty crappy, but good enough to throw good combinations. I earned a lot of self confidence and I was not bullied anymore, mission accomplished!
I ended up here, because as soon as I started to plan my trip to Australia, I knew I was going to try to find a way to stay. Melbourne was ranked first liveable city in the world, so I wanted to check it out. Absolute MMA is also one of the reasons why I came here, because I wanted to be able to train properly in Melbourne, so I just googled “best MMA gym Melbourne” and here I am!
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
People who are able to bash me up, but who don’t (haha) except at Friday night’s sparring class! It’s good to be surrounded by humble, high level athletes, who are always happy to give you a tip and help you to get better. That’s also why Absolute MMA is probably the best place I’ve been training.
What’s your favourite place to eat in Melbourne and your #1 dish recommendation?
There’s so many! Probably the salmon tacos at Mr Miyagi!
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
Stop skipping the judo class, because you’ll meet Kevin in a few years and he’s going to throw you all over the mat ! (Well, I obviously did skip it…)
“You know you’re at Absolute MMA when you hear Sovann yell ‘Hey Sexxyyy’.”- Luke Spaggs
“Way nicer than what he looks like. A lot of potential. If he learns how to defend a RNC and stop throwing some spinning back fist, Sovann can become a really good fighter!!”- Kevin Jousset
“Sovann is so, so sexy and has a tiny baby elephant pin.”- Lisa Kyriacou
“It’s been great having Sovann and his ridiculous blonde hair join the team at Absolute. It’s been really good for the confidence of every white belt jiu-jitsu student who gets to take his back and choke him over and over again. But seriously, it’s great to have his positive attitude and enthusiasm around the gym.”- Oliver Smith
“Sovaan is a friggin weirdo. I don’t know where we got him from but I’m glad we did. And I don’t care what anyone says, we love a good Shorty 
“- Marisa Amaya
Photography: WL Fight Photography