Kozhikode gets a thrill of MMA championship

Kozhikode: Cricketer Sreesanth launched the first Mixed Martial Art (MMA) Championship in South India at Kozhikode Indoor Stadium on Sunday.

Nationally and internationally acclaimed MMA fighters competed with each other during the championship organised by Swasthik Fight Club (SFC), the only MMA training club in the state. Inaugurating the first-of-its-kind championship in South India, Sreesanth motivated the MMA fighters.

“After the very popular martial arts like Karate, boxing, Kung Fu and Taekwondo, now it’s the turn of MMA and the country should have more representation in the field,” Sreesanth said.

MMA is a full contact and combat sports that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, in short taking its origin from a variety of other combat sports and martial arts.

SFC is planning to popularise MMA by conducting international events in the state and other major metros. “It was during 2014, we conducted a few inter-club fight events, after which more people have showed interest in knowing about the martial art form and also the activities of our club,” said founder and trainer of SFC Ranjith Kunnumal.

“After these events, we started selecting good fighters, trained them and promoted them for professional fights and some among them will be fighting during this championship,” Ranjith added.