Waheed Yunesi
Vahid Unesi (also spelled Waheed Yunesi) is an Iran-born martial arts coach, founder and director of Kings Academy in Auckland, New Zealand, specialising in MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing and muay thai.
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APPEARANCES
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PODCASTS
Aug 30, 2026
5:45
One of the obstacles not just Vahid but the wider sport and its promoters have had to overcome over the years is a bad rap and stigma.
Waheed YunesiGUEST
It was this kind of issue back in the day I would say because the fighting would be considered as violent, not really sport.
Waheed YunesiGUEST
Now these days in New Zealand and we can see majority accepted that or they see that, they're convinced this is a sport.
Waheed YunesiGUEST
And actually, when the people step in the ring and the people go to the gym and go to the cage, they start to behaving better.
Waheed YunesiGUEST
They are not coming and training and go fight on the street because they're already tired after training.
Waheed YunesiGUEST
And these things help parents to trust the gyms better and support the gyms better.
6 MINS LATER