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A Flashback To Roshan Mainam’s Fantastic Debut

Roshan Mainam had the perfect start to his ONE Championship career.

The Indian prodigy achieved his dream when he debuted on the global stage against Cambodia’s Khon Sichan at ONE: MASTERS OF FATE in Manila, Philippines on 8 November 2019.

After a successful tryout with the Evolve Fight Team, Mainam moved from Thoubal, India to live and train full-time with the squad’s world-class instructors in Singapore.

“I trained for almost nine months at Evolve [in Singapore], which is one of the best teams in the world,” Mainam said. “I was glad to make it to the Circle, thanks to a wonderful team, trainers, and lots of support.”

Mainam – who built his fame as a wrestler competing extensively on India’s regional circuit – was eager to showcase his talents to a worldwide audience.

“At first, I was not tense about the match at all [even though] it was my first time ever competing at a grand arena with a huge crowd,” he said.

“While walking towards the Circle, I was really excited that I was going to perform in front of so many people.”

The four-time Delhi State Wrestling Champion quickly imposed his grappling on his Cambodian rival and took him down to the canvas.

Then, he easily locked up the Kun Khmer stylist with an Americana to force the tap and clinch the first-round victory.

“Grappling is my strong suit. We decided that I had to go for the takedown so that I could finish it off with my ground game,” Mainam said.

“Our plan was to finish the match on the ground. If I was unable to finish it on the ground, our plan B was to go to my striking. I didn’t let that happen though, and I managed to get the submission with my first attack.”

The win pushed Mainam’s confidence to a new level, and the Evolve representative now believes he can achieve greater things on the global stage.

“Winning the debut match was like a dream come true for me. After winning the match, I was overwhelmed and could not speak properly because I was so happy,” he said.

“Now I am ready to fight anyone. [I know] I have to improve my striking, but I am working on it every day.”

As a native of one of the fastest-growing countries in mixed martial arts, Mainam also understands his role as a national ambassador for Indian athletes; he hopes to become the country’s first-ever mixed martial arts World Champion.

“I want to prove that Indian athletes are inferior to none and we are not weak in mixed martial arts. My team is really good, and I think I can be a World Champion one day,” Mainam said.

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