In a bid to put Manipur firmly on the global mixed martial arts (MMA) map and pave the way for local fighters to enter the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Manipur Pride MMA: Rise of Warrior 1 will be held from April 3.
The event is being organised with the objective of nurturing world-class fighters from the state, addressing the long-standing gap in international exposure and records.
The announcement was made by Event Director Rangam Chiru during a press interaction held at Dynasty Hall, Classic Grande, Chingmeirong.
He said the event will showcase both amateur and professional fights, providing a competitive platform for emerging as well as seasoned fighters from Manipur.
The event is being managed by Team Vonjo MMA Fitness Management, and a pre-event screening of fighters will be conducted ahead of April 3 to ensure quality match-ups and professional standards.
Highlighting the larger vision behind the initiative, Vonjovi Nongmaithem, Manipur’s first Matrix Fight Night (MFN) fighter, said that despite the state’s rich combat sports culture, MMA fighters from Manipur have lagged behind on the world stage due to the late introduction and practice of MMA as a professional sport.
He said the primary aim of Rise of Warrior 1 is to build a structured pathway that will enable Manipuri fighters to compete internationally and ultimately secure entry into the UFC, the world’s premier MMA organisation.
