From Long Island to Bali: Andrew Leone’s Wild Ride to Martial Arts Glory
Picture this: a teenage boy from Long Island, New York, with a dream that far outstrips the sandy streets of his hometown. That’s Andrew Leone’s story—a bold leap from the concrete of Long Island to the tropical paradise of Bali, in pursuit of a life that blends training, culture, and a dash of adventure.
Banding Together: The Boca opener
In 2005, Andrew and his older brother Anthony set their sights on the martial arts world. The first stop? A humble karate dojo that was the only place in their town that didn’t involve wrestling. Andrew recalls:
“I’d leave wrestling practice 10 minutes early just to hit the karate mats. The coach used to laugh, but the brothers kept on going.”
By the time they hit 14‑15 years old, Anthony’s new car turned the dojo into a local field‑trip hub. The brothers became a formidable duo, with Anthony always giving Andrew that extra push to reach new heights.
Diverging Paths and Reunions
- Anthony stays in the United States, sharpening his skills at home.
- Andrew leaps to Asia: Thailand, then Singapore, finally the Phuket Top Team as a wrestling coach.
But destiny has a way of bringing siblings together again. Rejoining forces in Thailand, they moved to Jakarta Muay Thai and MMA to help launch a revamped BJJ program with Steve Suryadinata. This partnership opened doors to an epic opportunity: a dream gym in Bali.
The Big Bang: Bali MMA From Dream to Reality
Team’s mastermind? Don “Carlo” Clauss. With a name that echoes expertise, Don transitioned from wrestler to coach, winning two New York State wrestling titles and never once losing a senior‑year match. Andrew looks up to him like a mentor‑in‑spirit:
“Donnie is the guy who gives clear directions and keeps us on the path.”
Combining Don’s vision with stellar coaches, Bali MMA emerged as one of Asia’s premier training hubs, attracting rising stars across disciplines.
Living the Support Circuit
Andrew’s inspiration springs from an eclectic squad: the Subba brothers, Muhammad Aiman, his wife, and coach Mike. The synergy on the mats lights up his motivation:
“I’m constantly moved by my teammates. It’s like a never‑ending source of fire.”
He nods to his sense of gratitude for teammates who can’t all be listed, yet he’s deeply moved. “I could get all emotional and lose it,” he admits.
Next Up: The Manila Test Fight
Andrew is gearing up for his biggest test yet: a title contender showdown in Manila against Filipino superstar Kevin Belingon on April 20th at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR. With a strategy refined by years of overseas experience, he says his journey to Bali has primed him for this final challenge.
From a small-town boy to a global fighter, Andrew Leone’s adventure continues to blaze through martial arts, and we can’t wait to see what he conquers next!
