AusCage Fight Gear represents a group of Mixed Martial Artists who have banded together to form an Australian MMA brand to compete in the world wide market.

Founders

WARREN HUGHES

Warren Hughes, born and bred on the Central Coast of NSW, was first introduced to Martial Arts when he and his brother attended the World Wrestling Federation tour at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, in the mid 70’s. At the age of 14, Warren took up Rhee Tae Kwon Do under 4th dan, Ray Jones. In the early 80’s, Warren met Korean-born Johwoeng “Tiger” Kim, President and 9th dan of Kuk Ki Won. Tiger Kim spoke very little English but immediately commanded respect. Best of all, he taught full-contact sparring. Warren later trained with Gary Chambers and went on to achieve 2nd dan black belt in 1987. “I remember at one stage Gary and I would teach children’s then adult’s classes, Monday to Thursday every week for 3 hours a night, and then train with Tiger Kim at Parramatta Police Boys Club on the Saturday. It was a great time in my life and in my martial arts career, and we had over 150 students training out of 3 Dojos.” At the same time, Warren began working in the security industry which is where he met Andy Testa, “he was the only guy I knew who practiced short stick with two iron bars… that’s a true story.” By 1993 Warren had established himself within the industry through his company Hypro Security, which employed over 200 personnel, nearly all of whom were studying some form of martial arts. In 2000 Warren met up with Andy Testa once again to train together in Mixed Martial Arts, continuing to this day in a style developed by Andy, Michi Kankaku. Warren has also begun training with Pablo Tavares, further enhancing his skills through a form of Jiu-Jitsu taught by the Gracie family.

ANDY TESTA

Andy Testa was raised in the western suburbs of Sydney and, like many other boys his age, had an extremely keen interest in martial arts, inspired by the likes of legends such as Bruce Lee. Studying and training relentlessly, Andy worked his way through numerous styles and techniques and in 1984 began using these fighting skills in a professional capacity in the security (crowd control) industry. Throughout the years Andy also studied Kempo Jutsu, Filipino "Kali" stick fighting and Kyokushin Karate under the renowned and highly respected John Paul Prenton. Later, Andy started coaching young men who had been in trouble with the law in his newly developed fighting art Michi Kankaku “Street Sense”. From 1988 to 1989, Andy worked and coached his fighting art professionally from the Darling Harbour Authority in NSW to pubs and clubs in QLD. Whilst there, he gained the opportunity to study boxing with Rod Miller and introduced "Michi Kankaku" to the Gold Coast. From 1991 to 1996 he joined forces with 8th dan Shihan Les Anyos, founder and chief instructor of the fighting art of Kick Boxing, Shin Bu Kai International. Together they improved the knowledge excess of 1000 security (crowd control) operatives lucky enough to experience the rigorous skill set training seminars "Crowd Management within the Law” held in Toowoomba, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Northern NSW. In 1996 Andy met back up with Warren, who by then was owner and managing director of Hypro Security NSW, and together they worked successfully in the security industry (pubs and clubs) on the Gold Coast and Northern NSW. In 2000 Andy moved back to the Central Coast NSW and soon changed the tactics of Street Sense, experimenting in ground-fighting with Paully Doyle, Hapkido and ground-fighting tactician. Today, Andy has turned his hand to Mixed Martial Arts and continues to coach his street sense, "Michi Kankaku" at the edge first fight gym Erina.