Lights, Fights, and Legacy: How Indian MMA Stars Embrace the Spirit of Diwali
Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” a multi-day celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by millions of people in the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths, with the specific reason varying by religion, but generally involves lighting oil lamps (diyas) and symbolic victory over evil forces.
As fireworks illuminate the night sky and the air fills with the scent of sweets and incense, Diwali—the Hindu festival of lights—brings families together in celebration of victory over darkness, good over evil, and renewal. This year, on October 20, the joyous occasion coincides with a surge of pride in India’s growing MMA scene.
While no UFC bouts are scheduled amid the festivities, Indian mixed martial arts fighters, both rising and established, are channeling the festival’s themes of resilience and triumph into their preparations for future battles. For these warriors of the octagon, Diwali isn’t just a holiday; it’s a reminder of the unyielding spirit that fuels their global ambitions.
Anshul Jubli
At the forefront is Anshul Jubli, the 30-year-old lightweight sensation from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, who has become the face of Indian MMA on the world stage. Jubli, who earned his UFC contract in 2023 by dominating the Road to UFC lightweight tournament with a second-round TKO over Indonesia’s Jeka Saragih, embodies Diwali’s narrative of perseverance.
Despite a heartbreaking first-round knockout loss to Mike Breeden at UFC 294 in October 2023—infamously sparked by Breeden’s mid-fight barking taunt that rattled the debutant—Jubli bounced back with a gritty unanimous decision win over Christian Rodriguez at UFC 312 in February 2025. Now 8-2 in his professional career, Jubli is training rigorously for his next bout, viewing the festival as a motivational reset.
“Diwali is about lighting the lamp within, just like stepping into the octagon,” Jubli shared in a recent interview with UFC.com.
“In India, we grow up with stories of Ram’s victory over Ravan—it’s the ultimate comeback tale. After my debut setback, I trained harder, sharper. This Diwali, I’ll celebrate with my family in Dehradun, lighting diyas and sharing ladoos, but my mind is already on the next fight.
India deserves more warriors like us.”
Jubli’s journey from a self-taught grappler mimicking YouTube videos of coaches like Firas Zahabi to UFC contender has inspired a generation, proving that Indian talent can shine brightly on MMA’s biggest platform.
Jubli isn’t alone in flying the tricolor high.
Puja Diwakar
Puja Diwakar, the 28-year-old strawweight from Delhi, made history in April 2025 as the first Indian woman to win a UFC bout, submitting Brazil’s Rayanne Amanda dos Santos in the second round at UFC on ESPN 55.
Diwakar, a former Matrix Fight Night (MFN) champion co-founded by Bollywood star Tiger Shroff, followed it up with a near-finish against Loma Lookboonmee in her sophomore outing before a narrow decision loss. Her technical striking and unyielding ground game have drawn comparisons to early Ronda Rousey, and she’s vocal about Diwali’s role in her mental fortitude.
“For me, Diwali is family, firecrackers, and fighting spirit,” Diwakar told Sportstar earlier this year. “We burst patakhas to chase away evil—same as tapping out opponents in the cage. Training during the festival means early morning sessions before the rangoli-making, but it recharges me. This year, I’m hosting a small puja at my gym, Crosstrain Fight Club, inviting young girls to spar and dream big.”
Diwakar’s success has spotlighted the rapid evolution of women’s MMA in India, where wrestling roots from states like Haryana and Punjab are blending seamlessly with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai.
Arjan Bhullar
Beyond the UFC, other Indian-origin fighters are keeping the flame alive. Arjan Bhullar, the 39-year-old heavyweight and former ONE Championship titleholder of Punjabi descent, has long celebrated Diwali as a cultural anchor amid his globetrotting career. Bhullar, who boasts a 12-3 record and a wrestling pedigree from Stanford University, often shares festive posts blending Sikh traditions with MMA grit.
“Diwali reminds us that strength comes from light, not just muscle,” he posted on Instagram last year, alongside photos of his family in traditional attire. Currently coaching at his New Jersey-based gym, Bhullar eyes a ONE return in 2026, mentoring talents like India’s Thounaojam “Bambam” Singh, a 2024 IMMAF world champion from Manipur.
Gurdarshan Mangat
Gurdarshan “Saint Lion” Mangat, the flyweight veteran from Punjab, adds another layer to this tapestry. With a 17-9 record and multiple UFC appearances, Mangat’s boxing-sharp striking has earned him finishes against the likes of Drako Rodriguez. A devout Sikh, Mangat frequently honors Diwali alongside Gurpurab, using the festivals to reflect on his 15-year pro journey.
“In the octagon, you’re fighting demons—yours and your opponent’s. Diwali teaches us to let light win,” Mangat said in a 2024 Tapology profile. He’s currently competing in regional promotions, scouting for a UFC comeback.
India’s MMA landscape is booming, thanks to promotions like MFN and the Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India (MMAFI), which sanctioned over 400 amateur bouts in 2025 alone. Events like the September 2025 MFN Contenders in Hyderabad drew massive crowds, blending adrenaline with cultural pride.
UFC VP Forrest Griffin, overseeing athlete development, praised the nation’s potential: “India’s wrestling culture will explode in MMA. Fighters like Jubli and Diwakar are just the start.”
As diyas flicker and sweets are savored this Diwali, these fighters remind us that the festival’s true victory is in the fight itself. From Dehradun gyms to Singapore cages, Indian MMA stars are scripting their own epics of light overshadow—one takedown, one knockout, one celebration at a time. Shubh Diwali to all—may your battles end in triumph.
