Is the UFC Selecting the Wrong Indian Fighters?

Wrestling

Year2026

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MMA Analyst Andrew Lu joins us to discuss Mridul Saikia’s loss to Bilal Hassan and the much bigger question surrounding India’s path to the UFC: is the UFC inviting the wrong Indian fighters? Mridul entered the matchup with an impressive 9-1 professional record, but his loss raises questions about the level of competition behind some of India’s top records and whether fighters are being given UFC opportunities before they are truly ready. Andrew breaks down the matchup and discusses how Indian prospects are being identified through platforms such as Dana White’s Contender Series and Road to UFC. We also examine whether fighters such as Angad Bisht, Dinesh Naorem, Amrinder Bhist and others may have stronger claims to these opportunities. The conversation goes beyond Mridul’s loss, exploring the role of rankings, management, regional competition, matchmaking and the lack of sponsorship and infrastructure within Indian MMA. This isn't about blaming fighters for accepting the biggest opportunity of their careers. It is about asking whether the right fighters are being developed and discovered at the right time. Is the UFC inviting the wrong Indian fighters, or does Indian MMA need to do more to produce UFC-ready talent? #indianmma #rtu Checkout the first documentary film on Indian MMA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iymI4SQ31l4&t=3552s Watch Full Fights - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcDDqMwLPKvBOOei64KGeSV9jN2enoaBx MMA Fighter Training Camps - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcDDqMwLPKvBpY_o9U0ChNZM16Xm3mNCG Watch Highlights from Amateur MMA Tournaments - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcDDqMwLPKvC0dnLCy6yBbGOOp-9sbwNc Please Like Share and Subscribe #SupportIndianMMA Follow us on: YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/c/DesiBeatdown/featured Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/desibeatdown Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/desibeatdown