In a remote corner of Nepal’s Bajhang district, a young boy once carried stones to survive. Today, that same boy — now a man — carried the hopes of a nation into the MMA cage and walked out a champion.
Rabindra Dhant, a 26-year-old fighter from Bitthadchir Rural Municipality, made history by defeating India’s Chungreng Koren at Matrix Fight Night 17 (MFN 17), becoming the first Nepali to win the MFN Bantamweight title.
Born into a working-class family in Bajhang, Rabindra studied at his village school until Grade 10. Like many boys from the region, he left home at 16 and headed to Pithoragarh, India, to find work. There, he did manual labor — lifting rocks, moving electric poles — just to afford two meals a day.
He eventually found himself in New Delhi, working long hours in a small office — sweeping floors and serving tea. But each morning, before the city woke up, he’d sneak in time for karate classes. It became his escape. Even as his love for the sport deepened, calls from home reminded him to quit and focus on ‘real work’. But he couldn’t let go.
Still, he trained. And a local coach, impressed by his stamina, introduced him to the world of MMA. Rabindra didn’t even know what Mixed Martial Arts was, but he gave it everything. He won his first amateur fight in India. That opened doors to international events — but only if he gave up his Nepali citizenship. He refused.
“I wasn’t willing to switch flags. I wanted to fight for Nepal,” Rabindra says.
His return to Nepal was difficult. There was no formal platform for MMA athletes. But that changed when he met jiu-jitsu coach Diwiz Piya Lama. Together, they co-founded the Nepal Warriors Championship (NWC), giving homegrown fighters a chance to step into the ring. Rabindra quickly became the main event fighter.
His skills caught attention. With Lama’s help, he traveled to Thailand and trained at Fairtex Gym, one of Asia’s most elite MMA facilities. After months of sweat, sacrifices, and cutting weight, Rabindra was ready. In September 2023, he stunned the audience at ONE Championship, knocking out Russian fighter Torepchi Dongak. But he wasn’t done.
On August 2, 2025, in Greater Noida, India, Rabindra faced off against India’s best: Chungreng Koren, nicknamed The Indian Rhino, boasting a 7-1 record and five straight wins. Rabindra went in with an 8-1 record and nerves of steel.
In the third round, he dominated the cage — and made history for Nepal.
“It wasn’t the belt that moved me the most,” Rabindra says softly. “It was hearing my country’s name echo across the arena.”
His journey had no sponsors. No government support. No headlines when he trained on an empty stomach. But now—after the victory—those same institutions flood social media with praise.
This isn’t just a fighter’s tale. It’s a story of raw grit—of a laborer’s son who didn’t fold under pressure, who carried Nepal’s name into the global ring with nothing but willpower.
And even now, as his story spreads and his name gains weight, Rabindra hasn’t left home behind. He trains with young fighters in Nepal, reminding them—and the nation—that greatness doesn’t come from privilege. It grows in silence, far from the spotlight.
