Bharat Khandare’s journey, as the first Indian fighter to secure a UFC contract, tells a gripping tale of MMA’s dark realities in Asia. His rise to fame was as rapid as his fall, exposing the challenges fighters from countries like India face in the global MMA arena. After nearly half a decade, Khandare returns to the sport at BRAVE CF 85 in Lahore, Pakistan on 18 August 2024.
Despite the arduous journey, both Srikant Sekhar (70.8kg) and Bharat Khandare (61.4kg) from India made weight for their bouts against Pakistani stars Rizwan Ali (70.8kg) and Zia Mashwani (61.5kg), respectively. However, Khandare used the opportunity to shed light on the harsh realities faced by Indian MMA fighters.
The Dark Reality
Khandare’s story begins with hope. As the first Indian to enter the UFC, he represented the potential of MMA in India, a country where the sport is still finding its footing. But his struggles in the UFC reveal a harsher truth. Unlike in the West, where MMA is well-established, India lacks the infrastructure to support high-level training. Fighters often train in gyms with subpar facilities, without access to elite coaches, nutritionists, or sparring partners. This gap became evident when Khandare struggled to adapt to the rigorous demands of the UFC.
Financial challenges also played a significant role in Khandare’s downfall. MMA fighters in India often face financial difficulties. With limited sponsorships, many fighters like Khandare have to fund their training and travel expenses out of pocket. This barrier hindered Khandare’s ability to focus solely on his training, limiting his growth as a fighter.
Cultural barriers further complicated Khandare’s journey. In India, MMA is not widely accepted or understood. Many fighters lack support from their families and communities, who see the sport as a risky and non-traditional career path. Khandare faced this societal stigma, adding to the pressures of competing on the world’s biggest MMA stage. His story took a darker turn with a doping scandal. Khandare tested positive for a banned substance, leading to a suspension that derailed his UFC career. This incident highlights the lack of proper education and awareness about anti-doping regulations in many Asian countries. Fighters from regions like India often do not have the same level of guidance as their Western counterparts, leaving them vulnerable to such pitfalls.
Lack of Global Opportunities
Exposure and opportunities are also scarce for Asian fighters. Khandare’s brief global stint underscores how difficult it is for Indian fighters to sustain their careers without continuous exposure and opportunities to compete at the highest level. Fighters from regions with fewer resources often struggle to cope with the demands of the sport that is reinventing itself every three months. Khandare’s experience is a stark reminder of the toll that MMA can take, particularly on athletes from underdeveloped MMA markets like India.
While there is undeniable talent and potential in the region, the lack of infrastructure, financial support, cultural acceptance, and opportunities makes it incredibly challenging for fighters to succeed on the global stage. Khandare’s story serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action for better support systems to nurture MMA talent in India and across Asia.
A Hopeful Future
The future of MMA in India depends on addressing these issues. Without significant changes, the dream of seeing more Indian fighters succeed on the global stage may remain out of reach. Khandare’s journey, though marked by setbacks, could inspire a new generation of fighters to push for the support and resources they need to succeed. The story of Bharat Khandare is not just about one man’s struggle; it is about the challenges that every aspiring MMA fighter in India must overcome. Against all odds, Khandare is taking a leap of faith when he bears the tri-color flag of India on Pakistani soil to become the first Indian fighter to set the record in a global MMA organization. A win for Khandare at BRAVE CF 85 in Pakistan will be a critical turning point in the history of Indian MMA that will forever be remembered.
