Encounter With Tobore Ayon Mike, A True Champion And Mentor

By Ebube George Ebisike

Itse Tobore Ayon Mike is a  former British Kickboxing Champion holding the belt with immense pride for Nigeria. Itse known better as Dynamic Ish has in the course of his career mingled with the rich and famous, including the likes of Michael Bisping – the first British UFC fighter, Wyclef Jean, Master Wong and a host of others. He currently lives and works in America where he is a man and operates his personal training gym for celebrities, high networth personalities and as a personal trainer. Dynamic Ish is also working on a fight night event for Nigeria in 2024 where he looks forward to an appearance by Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman amongst other legends.  Dynamic Ish is a trained professional also in the entertainment industry as he studied stage building and other specialisations associated with filmmaking at Kent University, Ish has also always wanted to be an actor with an open mind to working with Genevieve Nnaji, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and other top Nollywood A-listers given the opportunity presents itself, as well as in Hollywood with the likes of Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and others too. Ish’s midas touch either in philanthropy or business has meant that he has excelled in his chosen spectrums of trade and he sees no limits to what can be achieved at any time, this is the spirit of excellence he embodies and intends to bring back to Nigeria and Africa to give his services at this time of insecurity to train personnel within the security sector, paramilitary and military. He is very driven hugely in promote combat sports as a way to give back to the less privileged, also filmmaking, education, and teaching the soundness of mind to inspire champions across all strata of society. In this exclusive interview find out more about the man of many parts.

Tell us about your family and upbringing

I’m Itse Tobore Ayonmike aka Dynamic ish. I was born in the Delta state of Nigeria to a middle-class family. My father had returned to work in Nigeria after attending the very prestigious London School of Economics and my mother was studying to become a teacher. I spent my formative years in Nigeria and left for the United Kingdom just before my 21st birthday.

When did you get into Combat Sports and what has the journey been like so far?

I became captivated by fighting as it was referred to in those days when I saw Bruce Lee’s Enter The Dragon at about age 7. In my teenage years, I was further influenced by JCVD’s Kickboxer.

What have your laurels been?

I joined a kickboxing club in England in 1998 and won my first National English Championship title at middleweight in November 1999. I went on to win 3 more English Championship titles and 2 British Championship titles. The highlight of my career was a 10-second knockout against an opponent from Germany in May of 2000 which at the time stood as the world’s fastest kickboxing knockout.

Do you have siblings or family playing their trade in combat or other sports or in the entertainment industry like yourself?

My family is made up of a very diverse group of professionals but alas, I am the only combat sports enthusiast in our ranks. One of my little brothers is a very talented pianist and music producer and another has been involved with movies and entertainment in Hollywood.

The Kickboxing Championships are distinct but then with the current global success of the UFC today, would you see yourself competing in that circuit for the championship if you hadn’t retired?

I was a huge fan of the UFC in its early days and toyed with the idea of making a transition from kickboxing to MMA all those years ago but did not, for reasons that will be elaborated upon in my book. At the moment, I am closely affiliated with big players in the UFC.

Currently, you are based in America, what are your plans to bring your wealth of success and experience back home to develop youth talent?

I have very grandiose plans to set up a structure through which talented young Africans and Nigerians in particular who are interested in combat sports can be identified, trained, and given a chance to ply their craft internationally. I can’t give too much information about this at the moment.

There was a music video that showcased you in a Wyclef Jean song, are you also into entertainment such as movies?

Haha! I have not seen that video in years. Matter of fact, I almost forgot about it. It was recorded quite a few years ago now in Oxford, England. It was a song by Wyclef Jean and Brian Harvey. The video featured Edga Davis who was a national footballer for Holland, Dave Courtney, a retired English gangster, and Joe Pile. You can find it on YouTube. It’s called “Loving You”.

With the success of the likes of yourself and Israel Adesanya, Anthony Joshua, and Kamonru Usman are you a firm believer that Nigerians will continue to dominate in Combat Sports in the future?

I have been training people for years and I must say that talented people exist all over the world but the sheer population of Nigeria guarantees that we have more than many countries. The fact that many Nigerians excel on the world stage despite the lack of proper sports infrastructure is a testament to their resilience and resourcefulness so I see a future where Nigerians dominate in combat sports.

What is your daily routine like to keep in shape as a past champion?

I never refer to myself as a past champion because our daily struggles are akin to fighting and I have to retain a champion mentality to get by in life. My daily routine begins with exercising early in the morning and working through the day. Thankfully, I thoroughly enjoy my work so I can say I am one of the lucky ones, though I crafted my luck.

Are you married or have children?

I am married to a very beautiful, talented, and supportive woman and I am the proud father of two adorable daughters.

How have you managed controversy and kept a clean profile being a past Champion?

Currently, I am the champion of my life. Ain’t nothing past about my championship status. I have remained properly behaved and scandal-free for most of my adult life and I attribute it to being a disciplined martial artist. It also has been paramount for me to become a role model for a lot of disenfranchised youths, with no direction and no one to look up to. I couldn’t take on this role if I was not of good character myself.

So someone with your experience can also teach self-defense hand-to-hand combat to para-military and military Organisations?

I have performed in this capacity on various occasions training security operatives in Lagos state and Delta state in the art of hand-to-hand combat. The military has always been trained by various formidable martial artists in different countries, even here in the States, the special forces have been trained by another idol of mine, Bill “Super Foot” Wallace.

Who is your biggest combat sports personality, Music personality, and Movie personality?

My favorite combat sports personality is Israel Adesanya. I like a lot of movie stars but Idris Elba, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Samuel L Jackson stand out.

Given the economic challenges in Nigeria, Sponsorship and Corporate Partnership play a key role in establishing and entrenching the growth of sports and entertainment all over the world, so what is your word to sponsors 

Successful businesses in Africa have a social duty to give financial or otherwise support to grassroots sports and entertainment. This will benefit both sides as said organisations can harness the positive image and publicity it generates.

Any last words to encourage the Nigerian youth who seek to achieve the kind of success you have achieved?

Keep dreaming and keep believing but most importantly never stop working.

In a match, if that were to ever happen between you and Israel Adesanya who would win?

Israel is 16 years younger at the moment and he fights at the world championship level. I however am retired, though not tired. With that said, when it comes to fighting, never say never. I’ll let you draw up your conclusions.