“I was always into sports and started training at local akhadas near my home to stay fit. At the time, I had no idea what Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) was. That changed when I was 14. A school friend introduced me to MMA, and I was immediately drawn to it-the mix of martial art techniques and skills felt exciting and new.

I started taking it seriously during my intermediate education. It wasn’t easy because I had no background in it, but I slowly learned kickboxing, grappling, and other forms of martial arts. Over the last 4-5 years, I’ve put in a lot of effort, and it has paid off. I’ve competed in national-level championships and even won two gold medals-one in Uttar Pradesh in 2021 and the other in Bengaluru this year, in 2024.

My family has been my biggest support. My father works as a Head Cook to make ends meet, and my mother manages everything at home. Despite our financial struggles, they encouraged me to follow my passion. My brother has also been a constant support. My journey wasn’t without its challenges. I fractured my right hand during a match, which forced me to take a break for recovery. It was a difficult time, and I even had to drop out of my graduation to focus entirely on MMA. But I knew I had to keep going.

Now, I represent Telangana and India in MMA, and I’ve never felt prouder. My coach, M. Manish Kumar, has been my mentor and guide. He’s been in the field for over 15 years and has helped shape not just me but many fighters across the state.

My ultimate goal is to compete at the international level and make my country proud. I also want to train and inspire the next generation of fighters in Telangana. That said, there’s still a lot of work to be done for MMA here. The facilities and support for the sport in our state are limited. In other states, athletes receive recognition and backing from the government, which makes a big difference. I hope the Telangana government invests more in sports like MMA so that more athletes get the chance to shine.

MMA isn’t just about fighting—it’s about discipline, fitness, and building mental strength. I believe it can play a big role in promoting fitness in general. With initiatives like the Fit India Movement by Govt.of India, there’s a real opportunity to bring MMA into the spotlight and encourage more people to take it up.

This is just the beginning for me. I’m going to keep working hard, not just for my dreams but also to help others achieve theirs.

Jai Hind.”

– L. Praveen Nayak,
MMA National Champion