MMA News: UFC big name finds talent in an Indian fighter
The #1 pound for pound female MMA fighter (according to ESPN) Cris ‘Cyborg’ acknowledges one of India’s top pro MMA fighters, Mohammed Farhad Sayed. While she’s up to make her debut in UFC octagon at UFC 198, Mohd. Farhad is working towards making his debut and being the big name.
Apparently, Cyborg recognises the struggle of fighters in this sport and what it takes to reach at a certain level. In India especially, MMA isn’t given as much importance as it needs to be given. Consequently, the talented fighters are kept hidden from the world, but not Cyborg from the looks of it.
For those who don’t know Mohd. Farhad, he is a bantamweight pro MMA fighter based out of Mumbai. He is known for his entertaining fights and clean finishes. He is also the Muay Thai and Hapkido national champion who gave his first professional MMA debut at Full Contact Championship (FCC) and rose to fame in Super Fight League (SFL), India’s top MMA promotion.
Holding a record of 8-2-0, Mohd. Farhad has his fastest finishes in 20 seconds. Apart from FCC and SFL, Mohd. Farhad has also fought in other promotions like Body Force MMA.
Struggling as an MMA fighter in India, given the monopoly of some associations and less exposure, he says that it gets difficult for the fighters to rise to new levels. He, on the other hand, went on with perseverance against all the odds and the only thing that kept him motivated is his goal that is, “to reign at UFC,” in his words.
Outside the octagon, this Indian MMA fighter has also appeared in bodybuilding competitions as chief guest and recently featured in the movie Baaghi, in a fight scene with Tiger Shroff. It’s about time UFC comes to India as it’s a treasure land of talents. Here is a glimpse of Farhad’s abilities in a video from the Super Fight League.