Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka Coleman Concepts interview

In the Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka Coleman Concepts interview, Tshisuaka told Brandon Coleman that an opponent has signed for his December 5 fight after other matchups fell through. The MMA fighter also discussed why he believes his three-loss professional record misrepresents his ability, the support he has found at Nairobi Jiu Jitsu Academy, his Tikka Sports sponsorship and his goal of fighting regularly in 2027.

Who is Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka fighting next?

Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka said his next opponent is a Ugandan fighter who has signed a contract for December 5. Tshisuaka described him as a strong striker and welcomed the matchup after struggling to secure fights. He did not name the opponent or give a result; his focus was on finally getting the chance to compete.

The signed contract matters to Tshisuaka because earlier opportunities had fallen through. He said the repeated withdrawals disrupted his plans and left him waiting for a fight despite being ready to take one. He thanked his next opponent for accepting the matchup and said their contrasting skills should make for a good fight.

His approach to accepting opponents goes back to his early experiences in Goma, in eastern Congo, and later in Kenya. Tshisuaka said he grew up with the expectation that a fighter did not turn down a bout. That outlook, he explained, made it difficult to understand why someone would initially agree to face him and then withdraw after looking more closely at his fights.

Why does Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka say opponents pull out of fights?

Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka believes some opponents see his three professional losses as an easy matchup, then pull out after watching his performances. He argues that the record alone does not show his level or the circumstances of his fights. He also believes promoters can overlook fighters with losses when they favor undefeated records.

Tshisuaka said prospective opponents or their managers are initially enthusiastic when they see that he has three losses. According to him, their view changes when they check the fights themselves. He pointed to bouts in India and Dubai, saying he believed his work in those contests deserved more credit than the decisions reflected.

He began directly in professional MMA without an amateur MMA career and fought for UAE Warriors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Tshisuaka said that background is another reason a simple comparison of records can be misleading. He understands why a fighter might reconsider a difficult matchup, but he thinks withdrawals also cost the sport opportunities to stage competitive fights.

Tshisuaka put the principle behind his own matchmaking decisions plainly:

I never cared about it because I came from the background where you cannot say no to a fight.

How did Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka find support at Nairobi Jiu Jitsu Academy?

Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka trains at Nairobi Jiu Jitsu Academy, where he has reunited with people who supported him during an uncertain period in Sudan. He singled out outside Abdul Kadir and Al Hassan Mosul as close friends, not just training partners. Their shared history includes an MMA fight that was planned but never took place.

The fight with outside Abdul Kadir that never happened

Tshisuaka said outside Abdul Kadir now leads MMA training at Nairobi Jiu Jitsu Academy after returning from Oman. The two had previously been scheduled to fight at a Mokata Underground MMA event in Sudan, after Tshisuaka became a national Muay Thai champion. COVID shutdowns prevented the event from happening.

Their paths then separated: outside Abdul Kadir went to Oman, while Tshisuaka went to Dubai. They later became close friends. Tshisuaka described the academy as an important place for MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in East Africa and said both its coaches and his friends have helped him since his return to Kenya.

Al Hassan Mosul’s help in Sudan

Al Hassan Mosul helped Tshisuaka when canceled fights left him short of money for a hotel room in Sudan. Mosul, then a university student, let him stay in his room. Tshisuaka recalled having to get past campus security without a student ID to reach the room at night.

For Tshisuaka, that help remains part of why he values the friendship. He said Mosul and outside Abdul Kadir have continued supporting him in Kenya. Their presence has given him familiar people to train alongside as he tries to rebuild a consistent fight schedule.

What did Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka say about his Tikka Sports sponsorship?

Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka said Tikka Sports, a Kenyan brand, signed him as its first professional athlete. He described it as a meaningful partnership ahead of his December 5 fight. He also said the brand planned a giveaway involving branded T-shirts and sports equipment, with details to be announced on its and his social media pages.

Tshisuaka said Tikka Sports has ambitions to grow across Africa. His description of its goals came from conversations with the brand; he did not suggest that those ambitions had already been achieved. He said he had a contract with Tikka Sports and expected the partnership to continue beyond the upcoming fight.

The proposed giveaway was still a plan when Tshisuaka discussed it. He said announcements would explain how supporters could enter for the T-shirts and equipment. He brought up the sponsorship while discussing the people and organizations helping him prepare, alongside the training support he receives in Nairobi.

What are Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka’s 2027 fight plans?

Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka wants at least four professional MMA fights in 2027 after falling short of that goal in 2026. He said being based in Nairobi gives him a better chance to stay active: a promoter and matchmakers told him he could fight as often as every two months if suitable bouts are available.

A more active schedule in Nairobi

Tshisuaka had hoped to take four professional MMA fights in 2026 and add grappling matches to stay active. He said circumstances surrounding his departure from Dubai and a lack of fights in Angola prevented that schedule. Now in Kenya, he sees more opportunities for both amateur and professional MMA.

He mentioned a possible fight in February after the December 5 bout, followed by further appearances a few months apart. Those were plans, not completed bookings. Tshisuaka said the priority is to make up for lost activity and prove himself step by step in the lightweight division.

Israel Adesanya’s influence

Israel Adesanya is Tshisuaka’s striking role model. Tshisuaka raised the possibility that Adesanya could fight on the same date as his December 5 bout and said sharing a fight date with him would be meaningful. He did not present Adesanya’s appearance as confirmed.

Although Tshisuaka also grapples, he said Adesanya has particularly influenced how he thinks about striking. His broader aim is to keep competing, demonstrate what he can do over three five-minute rounds and work toward opportunities with larger promotions.

Who is Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka?

Rudy "Ashi Garami" Tshisuaka is an MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner whose early life was affected by war and the loss of his father. He found a measure of stability in Kenya and went on to compete in professional combat sports.