“As a child, I was captivated by the martial arts films that were hugely popular at the time. Watching those action sequences sparked something deeper—I wanted that discipline and that life. While my parents prioritized traditional education, my passion grew. Eventually, I left school to pursue full-time training, an unconventional path few understood then.
My foundation began in Indian mud wrestling, followed by eight years of Karate and explorations into Judo, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing. While competing in national tournaments pushed my limits, it was Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) that truly transformed me—it merged all my experiences into one ultimate discipline.

When life forced me to step away from active competition, I pivoted to coaching in 2010. By 2012, as MMA gained traction in India, I founded the House of Champions (Hyderabad MMA Gym). Seeing my students transition from Muay Thai to the MMA cage became as fulfilling as any personal victory.
A defining moment was training Mohammed Mahboob Khan, who in 2018 became the first Indian ever to win a gold medal at the IMMAF World Championships. Seeing a student rise from being a taxi driver to a world title proved that with the right guidance, Indian talent can lead the globe.

In 2014, I established the Telangana Association of Mixed Martial Arts (TAMMA) to provide structure for fighters. Today, as a Team India Coach, I have trained more than 2,000 students who have secured hundreds of national medals and numerous international honors. We even led Telangana to become overall National Champions in 2022.

My mission remains clear: MMA deserves the same respect and support as any mainstream sport in India. For me, coaching isn’t just about creating fighters; it’s about building confident individuals who carry the lessons of the cage into every aspect of life.”

– Shaik Khalid Mma, MMA Coach, Team India