AJ ‘Pyro’ shifts from pro fighting to animal rescue advocacy

KOTA KINABALU, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Former MMA champion AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor spends thousands of ringgit each month of his own money feeding and rescuing stray animals across Sabah, he told FMT Lifestyle.

“It’s an everyday battle. I feed them, care for them and neuter them. Then I see news of people abusing animals or dumping their pets. It’s a neverending story,” he said. “But if I stop, who is going to take care of them? Who is going to fight for them?”

The work costs him RM4,000 to RM5,000 a month for fuel, commercial pet food, veterinary bills and emergency surgery. AJ, who earns a living as a freelance personal trainer, covers most of it himself, though friends and Instagram followers sometimes contribute.

At home, he and his wife care for permanent rescues with special needs. Some suffer from canine distemper; one cat has lost an eye. A dog named Cobra, found on the streets with an injured leg and suspected burns from hot water or oil, now lives with them.

His concern for strays began in childhood. Even during his fighting career he travelled with cat and dog food to feed animals wherever he went. When the pandemic shut restaurants and cut off the strays’ usual food sources, he began regular feeding rounds and started taking injured animals to clinics.

As a Muslim, AJ has been questioned about helping dogs. “Islam teaches us not to hurt any animals because they are God’s creatures,” he said, noting that Islamic teachings also provide guidance on cleansing oneself after contact with a dog. “If a dog poses a threat, the matter should be left to the relevant authorities and not taken into one's own hands. You cannot go and kill the dog.

You might not even identify the right dog! It comes down to awareness in our community.”

Years of combat sport have left him with spinal injuries. Surgery reduced but did not eliminate the pain, and he often loads cages and feed bags alone. Still, he remains determined to keep showing up for the animals that depend on him.

His humanitarian record extends beyond animals. After his ONE tournament victory he donated his winnings to victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and volunteered in Tacloban. Last year he travelled to Aceh to help people and animals affected by severe flooding.

For lasting change, AJ wants responsible pet ownership, sustained TNRM efforts and cooperation between authorities and animal-welfare groups. “If you don’t like dogs or cats, and you don’t want to feed or rescue them, that’s fine. Just don’t hurt them.”