Bhubaneswar: Orissa MMA star Satyabrata Behuria clinched the title in the flyweight (56.7kg) category of the National Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championships which concluded Sunday at the Utkal Karate School here.
Satyabrata outplayed his opponent Rajat Kapoor from Chhattisgarh with a magnificent performance inside the Octagon. “I’m happy. He (Rajat) was bit tough than what I expected. But at the end, there is always one winner and today was my day,” said Satyabrata at the end of the bout.
Satybrata also stated that he had hoped to finish the fight in the first round itself because of his grappling expertise. “I thought, I could execute submission moves,” he stated. “When that did not happen I had to be aggressive in the third round,” informed Satyabrata. This incidentally was Satyabrata’s fourth victory in six bouts in his short MMA career.
Speaking about his experience in MMA, despite starting as a grappler, Satyabrata said, “Look, there is not much difference between grappling and MMA. The only difference is you can’t hit or punch the opponent in grappling which one can do in MMA bouts.” Satyabrata will next participate in the Asian Championship in Kathmandu later this year.
Meanwhile it was a bad day in the office for Priyadarsini Ghatuary who lost the final to her opponent from Delhi. It was hard-fought contest but the Delhi girl’s aggressiveness paid off as she connected with face punches in the third round, accumulating crucial points in the process. Later on Priyadarshini attributed her loss to poor preparations.
Priyadarsini started training as an MMA fighter a little more than a year ago after coach Hari Patnaik, discovered her passion for fighting in the ring. Notably, Priyadarsini has also dabbed in weightlifting, powerlifting and kick-boxing. But her passion towards ring combat turned her into an MMA fighter.
“I always loved fighting so when Hari Sir asked I couldn’t say no,” she stated. “My parents have always supported me whatever I do. But they always advise me to be cautious and careful,” she added.
Despite her loss Sunday, the crowd and spectators were cheering for her. Satyabrata may have annexed the title but Priyadarsini won everyone’s hearts.
post news network
