The Nepal Weekly 
August 5, 2025
Nepal’s rising MMA star Rabindra Dhant who is also famous as Bajhang ko Bagh or The Tiger of Bajhang, has received the prestigious MFN Bantom weight Championship defeating India’s Chungren Koren in the main event of Matrix Fight Night 17. The fight took place on 2 August, 2025, at the Shadeed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, India.
The highly anticipated 135 lbs fight lived up to hype, with Dhant demonstrating his skill, discipline, and spirit inside the cage. His dominant performance ended in victory, marking a monumental moment for Nepali MMA on a regional stage.
Chungreng Koren, nicknamed The Indian Rhino, entered the fight with a five-match winning streak and a strong 7-1 record, with six knockouts to his name. But Dhant, with a record of 8-1 and also six knockouts, proved to be the better fighter on the night, delivering calculated and commanding performance that earned him the championship belt.
Born and raised in the remote hills of Bajhang, Sudurpaschim Province, Dhant’s journey into professional MMA was not so easy. He left school after 10th grade and moved to India for job seeking, where he first discovered a martial arts gym. Despite being self-conscious about his height and coming from a humble background, Dhant committed himself to the sport. He won his first amateur championship at 18 in 2019 but faced limitations due to citizenship barriers.
His journey took him from training in India to struggling in Kathmandu without financial support, to ultimately building himself up to a Lock N Roll MMA gym in Lalitpur. With guidance from coach Diwiz Piya, Dhant developed his ground game and sharpened his fighting skills.
Soon, he decided to take part in a competition. In 2019, at just 18 years old, he competed and won in the MMA amateur National Championship in India. However, his opportunity to represent Nepal internationally was limited due to restrictions around his Nepali passport in India. But he remained committed to his passion. He made the bold decision to pursue professional MMA, but found that opportunities were limited in India. After participating in three professional fights, he began to face pressure from his family who were unsure about his future in the sport. Despite their concerns, he chose to follow his dream.
He returned to Kathmandu and tried various avenues, including consulting for a visa, but found no clear path. Struggling financially and lacking economic support, Dhant felt torn between continuing his fighting career and securing a steady job. Nevertheless, he remained determined to keep pursuing his passion for MMA.
Upon his return to Kathmandu, he continued his search for a suitable gym for regular training and practice. He used to practise boxing in Satdobato, Latitpur. He connected with friends who practiced karate and was introduced to Pump Gym in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur. Eventually, he met DiwizPiya, a seasoned Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu practitioner, who allowed Dhant to join the training sessions and participate in ground game competitions at Lock and Roll, a boxing gym in Lalitpur.
Dhant’s persistence paid off when he received an offer to fight in India once again, which he accepted. At this point, the MMA scene in Nepal began to gain momentum, with both striking and ground games becoming more popular. He continued his MMA training, now focused on both the striking and ground game aspects, dedicating himself to improving his skills.
Dhant remained focused and trained rigorously, organizing the Nepal Warriors Championship (NWC) in Nepal with an Australian opponent, which he won. Now, with a strong team in Bali at the Soma Fight Club, Dhant is prepared for the next chapter in his MMA career. MMA has become more than just a sport for Dhant; it is a passion that fuels him every day. “I used to be so tired after work but it never bothered me when I entered the gym. I was in love with MMA, and it gave me energy,” he says. The financial challenges were daunting, but his love for the sport pushed him.
