Why Indian UFC Fighters Are Struggling—and How Long It’ll Take to Turn Things Around
On June 8, 2024, Puja Tomar made history as the first Indian woman to step into the UFC octagon. Her split-decision victory over Rayanne dos Santos sparked hope for Indian MMA fans. Fast forward to March 2025, and that hope dimmed as she tapped out to an armbar against Shauna Bannon. Anshul Jubli, India’s lightweight hopeful, followed a similar arc—winning the Road to UFC tournament in 2022, only to be knocked out cold by Mike Breeden at UFC 294. Bharat Kandare, the first Indian in the UFC back in 2017, didn’t even make it out of the first round against Song Yadong. With a combined UFC record of 2-3, India’s fighters are battling more than just their opponents—they’re up against a system that’s failing them.
India has sent just three fighters to the UFC: Kandare, Jubli, and Tomar. Their stories reveal a pattern of promise undercut by technical flaws, limited resources, and a cricket-obsessed culture that leaves MMA in the shadows. Meanwhile, across the border, Chinese fighters like Zhang Weili are hoisting UFC belts. What’s holding India back, and how long will it take to produce world-class fighters? Let’s break it down.
The Core Problem: Training That’s Stuck in the Gym
Walk into an average Indian MMA gym, and you’re likely to see fighters drenched in sweat, churning through endless burpees and sprints. Conditioning is king—but technique? That’s often an afterthought. Many gyms market themselves as MMA hubs yet focus on cardio drills over the nuanced skills of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), wrestling, or defensive striking. Bharat Kandare’s quick submission loss and Puja Tomar’s armbar defeat scream one thing: Indian fighters aren’t getting enough mat time to master grappling or defend submissions.
Compare that to China, where the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai offers cutting-edge facilities and expert coaches. Zhang Weili didn’t become a two-time strawweight champion by accident—she had access to a system that hones well-rounded skills. Indian fighters, meanwhile, often rely on raw power and offense, leaving their defense exposed. Anshul Jubli’s knockout loss came after being “pieced up” in the third round—a classic case of stamina without strategy.
The coaching gap is glaring. India lacks the depth of experienced MMA mentors who can teach fighters to adapt mid-fight. Many trainers come from traditional martial arts or wrestling backgrounds, not the hybrid chaos of MMA. To bridge this gap, fighters like Jubli have traveled to Thailand for training camps—a costly workaround that highlights the absence of quality at home.
Money Talks, and India’s Not Listening
MMA isn’t cheap. Gear, travel, nutrition, and coaching drain bank accounts, and Indian fighters rarely have sponsors to soften the blow. Anshul Jubli once juggled teaching tuition classes with training, a grind that left little room for full-time focus. In a country where cricket stars rake in millions, MMA fighters scrape by. There’s no pay-per-view culture, no big endorsement deals—just passion and persistence.
The government doesn’t help. Sports funding pours into cricket and a handful of Olympic events like wrestling or badminton, where medals are more predictable. MMA? It’s an afterthought. Contrast this with China, where the UFC has invested heavily, and even the People’s Liberation Army has tapped MMA fighters for training. The result: 10 Chinese fighters have graced the UFC, including standouts like Li Jingliang and Song Yadong, while India’s tally stalls at three.
Cricket’s Shadow Looms Large
India loves cricket. It’s more than a sport—it’s a religion, a career path, a national obsession. Stadiums overflow, TV screens flicker with IPL highlights, and kids dream of batting like Virat Kohli. MMA doesn’t get a look-in. Media coverage is sparse, and public awareness is low. Traditional combat sports like wrestling thrive, but only as a stepping stone to government jobs, not UFC contracts. This cultural tunnel vision stifles MMA’s growth, leaving fighters without the fanbase or resources to thrive.
China, on the other hand, has leveraged its martial arts heritage—think kung fu and wushu—to embrace MMA. Promotions like ONE Championship have staged events there, and local broadcasters amplify the sport’s reach. The result is a growing talent pool and a fanbase that cheers its fighters to victory.
China’s Blueprint vs. India’s Struggle
The stats tell the story. China’s 10 UFC fighters dwarf India’s three. Zhang Weili’s championship reign showcases what’s possible with infrastructure, funding, and focus. Chinese fighters benefit from a larger population (more talent to scout), better facilities, and a government that sees value in combat sports. India, despite its billion-plus population and wrestling roots, can’t match that ecosystem—yet.
Indian fighters often lean on power punches or aggression, but their losses reveal the cost: Kandare’s submission, Jubli’s knockout, Tomar’s armbar. Defense and grappling remain weak links, a stark contrast to the versatility of Chinese stars. It’s not talent that’s lacking—it’s opportunity.
Signs of Hope—and a Long Road Ahead
India isn’t standing still. The Mixed Martial Arts Federation India (MMAFI) and All India Mixed Martial Arts Association (AIMMAA) are laying groundwork, while the Seventh MMA National Championship in May 2024 showcased emerging talent. Matrix Fight Night, backed by Bollywood’s Tiger Shroff, is nurturing prospects. But these are baby steps in a marathon.
So, how long until India produces UFC-caliber fighters who can win—and keep winning? Look at China: Zhang Weili’s title came nine years after Tiequan Zhang’s 2010 UFC debut. If India follows a similar trajectory, starting from Kandare’s 2017 entry, we’re looking at 5-10 years—say, 2027 to 2032. That’s assuming gyms shift from conditioning to technique, funding flows in, and MMA cracks cricket’s monopoly. It’s a big “if,” but not impossible.
The Bottom Line
Indian UFC fighters aren’t failing because they lack heart—they’re fighting an uphill battle against poor coaching, thin wallets, and a culture that doesn’t care. China’s success proves what’s possible with the right support. For India, the talent is there, simmering beneath the surface. Give it a decade, a few million rupees, and a lot more grappling mats, and we might just see an Indian champ in the octagon. Until then, the punches will keep coming—both in and out of the cage.
