Indian MMA fighter Anshul Jubli goals to seal first win at Highway to UFC

Virtually all of India could have its eyes fastened on Rohit Shama’s males opening their T20 World Cup cricket marketing campaign in Melbourne in opposition to Pakistan on Sunday. Nonetheless, a small however steadily rising group of athletes and followers may even keenly comply with updates from Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi. 

The Final Preventing Championship’s (UFC) UFC 280 occasion has simply resulted in smashing trend, with Islam Makhachev submitting former champion Charles Oliveira to clinch the light-weight title. For Indian MMA followers, nonetheless, the motion is simply getting began.

On Sunday night, India’s light-weight fighter Anshul Jubli will step up for his Highway to UFC semifinal on the Etihad Area in opposition to South Korea’s Kyung Pyo Kim. The Highway to UFC is the primary of its sort from UFC in seven years. It presents a ‘win and advance’ alternative to the very best Asian MMA prospects throughout 4 weight divisions: flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight and light-weight.

The 27-year-old Anshul comes from the attractive backdrops of Uttarkashi in north India, and he can be aiming to grow to be the primary Indian-born fighter to document a win within the UFC’s coveted Octagon. 

How did Anshul qualify for the semifinals with no win?

On June 9, 2022, Anshul was able to tackle Japan’s Patrick Sho Usami within the quarterfinal in Singapore. Nonetheless, Usami didn't make weight in the course of the obligatory weigh-ins, and Anshul made a straight reduce to the final 4. 

“I used to be disillusioned. For 2-three hours I couldn't transfer or discuss. After two days, I used to be feeling okay. And I needed to take it positively in order that I can transfer ahead. It was good in a means as a result of I wished to carry out so badly at the moment. Now, I wish to carry out extra eagerly. All of the issues that I believed would occur, win in a sure means, grow to be the primary Indian to win within the Highway to UFC stage…I'm extra ready now, with a type of searching mentality this time,” Anshul informed Sportstar whereas reflecting on his less-than-ideal path to the semifinal. 

Anshul took to MMA combating in 2015 and has been undefeated since debut throughout the Novice and Professional Ranges. His strongest check but, nonetheless, lies proper forward of him when he faces Pyo Kim, who has a sturdy (11-3-0) MMA document and had some battle outing within the Singapore quarterfinals.

The “Crimson Horse” Pyo Kim waltzed his Chinese language opponent Asikeerbai Jinensibieke in 30 seconds in a first-round KO win to arrange a conflict with Anshul. Eight of Pyo Kim’s 11 professional MMA wins have come within the first spherical - six of which have are available in blitzing KO/TKO finishes. 

WATCH: Full interview with Anshul Jubli

“King of Lions” Anshul has labored on finetuning his vary over the past 4 months with coach Siddharth Singh and his residence gymnasium Crosstrain Battle Membership in Delhi. “I needed to repair just a few issues in my recreation that are vital for combating on the highest ranges. I've labored on sure points of my hanging and grappling. It’s a unending course of,” he stated on the eve of his battle. 

Anshul stays buoyant about his possibilities in opposition to a fierce opponent and is aiming to seal his first win within the event in time earlier than Diwali again in India on Monday.

“He (Pyo Kim) is a really expert fighter. He comes very robust within the first spherical. He's a grappler with good palms, however I imagine my grappling is healthier. And I really feel my hanging is cleaner and higher as effectively. Clearly, an odd punch or kick can knock you out, however we are able to’t go right into a battle occupied with that. I need to imagine I'm higher than him in all points,” Anshul remarked as he stands on the cusp of a probably game-changing day for the Indian MMA fraternity.