When the God of Rain submitted to the Naga Warriors’ spirit: X1 International - Dimapur

March 23, 2019: Mixed Martial Arts, globally titled the “billion dollar sport” is taking the country by storm; the North East of India gets into the game with X1 International.

With a successful 6 event run in the last few months, the Dimapur event was the third in the North East after Shillong and Kohima.

A fight card packed with the top of the line fresh MMA Talent from the North East and a strong audience, X1 International at Aiko Greens in Dimapur was an action-packed fight night with nail-biting finishes.

Even a long spell of rain could not dampen the spirit of the audience. They came in numbers, cheered and supported the talent.

The first bout itself drew blood on the mat. As the evening grew, the Naga warriors started dominating the cage. Out of 9 bouts, one ended in a vicious knockout, two in Technical Knockouts, 1 by submission and 5 went to decisions.

“The North East of India is one of the biggest breeding grounds for MMA talent and we have successfully been able to get together 5 out of 7 North East states to send in their best to compete on the X1 International platform – quotes Ajit Sigamani – Founder – X1 International.

The event was sanctioned by the National Federation of Mixed Martial Arts, MMA India, now affiliated with the global body, International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).

“X1 will be back again on March 8, 2019, in Mumbai with India’s first women’s only fight card to celebrate Women’s Day followed by a fight night at Mysore on March 30, 2019. More dates will be revealed soon, the team is working towards the same – Ajit added.

The Dimapur event was to be a 10-bout fight card; the previously titled co-main event got dropped due to an illness to Ayanabh Mukherjee. Here are the winners.

Fight Card / Winners

Wanraplang Nongspung (Ray’s Combat Team- Shillong) vs Anupam Malakar(Bidang MMA Guwahati)

Anupam Malakar beat Wanraplang Nongspung via unanimous decision

Aranya Bagchi (Combat Clan- Kolkata) vs Bijay Rajbhar (Bidang MMA Guwahati)

Bijay Rajbhar beat Aranya Bagchi by knockout in the 1st round

Benedict Lamin (Ray’s Combat Team- Shillong) vs Joyraj Pegu (Bidang MMA Guwahati)

Benedict Lamin beat Joyraj Pegu via unanimous decision

Sumukha Namchoom (Combat Clan- Kolkata) vs Jony Darlong (Bidang MMA Guwahati)

Jony Darlong beat Sumukha Namchoom via a technical knockout at 1:58 of round 1

Aloto Zhimomi (Naga Bushido- Dimapur) vs Pynshngain Bareh (Ray’s Combat Team Shillong)

Pynshngain Bareh beat Aloto Zhimomi via unanimous decision

Mairidin Newmai (The Combat Academy Nagaland- Dimapur) vs Elbin Singsit (Bidang MMA Guwahati)

Mairidin Newmai beat Elbin Singsit by technical knockout due to referee stoppage

Arsenba Ozukum (The Combat Academy Nagaland- Dimapur) vs Echwa Phawa (Happy Red Rooster MMA- Shillong)

Arsenba Ozukum beat Echwa Phawa by a split decision

Mulinuba Molier (The Combat Academy Nagaland- Dimapur) vs Lamkordor Kharmyndai (GnP- Shillong)

Mulinuba Molier beat Lamkordor Kharmyndai by unanimous decision

Kekhrieneitso Angami (The Combat Academy Nagaland- Dimapur) vs Ayanabh Mukherjee (Combat Clan- Kolkata)

Cancelled due to illness to Ayanabh Mukherjee

Darren Kharshandy (Happy Red Rooster MMA- Shillong) vs Mridul Saikia (Bidang MMA Guwahati) flyweight

Mridul Saikia beat Darren Kharshandy by submission, guillotine