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Four of them from state, which is ranked No. 2, will represent India in world championship

Four fighters and a judge from the state will be part of the 18-member Indian delegation representing the All India Mixed Martial Arts Association at the World Amateur MMA Championship at Las Vegas in July. Mixed Martial Art (MMA) is one of the fastest growing combat sports in India and the state has been ranked two in India in terms of growing popularity. Mizoram ranks first.

Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, Prasad Gaitonde, general secretary of the Karnataka State Mixed Martial Arts Association (KSMMA), said, for the first time, an Indian delegation was participating in a world championship. Five fighters, nine coaches and two members have been selected to officiate at the international-level competition. The four fighters from the state include Kantharaj Shankar, a physical education trainer, Bhoopendra Kumar, an IT engineer and Navin R S and Shashi Kumar N (both gym instructors). Prasad Gaitonde has been selected as a judge for the event. The entire team is based in Bengaluru.

He said mixed martial arts have been designed for school training too. In sports MMA, the techniques are controlled, be it strike, take down or submission. Participants win by scoring, not by hurting the opponent. However, in normal MMA, the winner is declared mainly by knock out, submission or judges decision. Fighters are paid well too, he said.

All India Mixed Martial Art Association is the oldest, largest and legal regulatory body for MMA in India, which monitors the safety of fighters and promoting the sport, safety standards, training for officials and athlete training.

MMA was started in India in 2012 with a reality show, SFL, by entrepreneur Raj Kundra and visionary martial artist Daniel Isaac. This show gave martial artists an opportunity to rise on an international platform.

MMA in the state is under the patronage of the Karnataka State Mixed Martial Art Association. Prasad said, "KSMMA is also looking forward to partnering with gyms and Dojos outside Bengaluru to spread awareness. The pace at which MMA is growing in the state will soon make it the hub for MMA in India," he said.