Rabindra Dhant wins MFN 17 title, becomes Bantamweight Champion

Nepal’s rising MMA star Rabindra Dhant, famously known as Bajhang Ko Bagh (The Tiger of Bajhang), has claimed the prestigious MFN Bantamweight Championship title after a fierce victory over India’s Chungreng Koren in the main event of Matrix Fight Night 17. The fight took place on August 2, 2025, at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, India.

The highly anticipated 135 lbs title bout lived up to the hype, with Dhant showcasing his skill, discipline, and unbreakable spirit inside the cage. His dominant performance ended in victory, marking a monumental moment for Nepali MMA on a regional stage.

Chungreng Koren, nicknamed The Indian Rhino, entered the fight with a five-match winning streak and a strong 7-1 record, with six knockouts to his name. But Dhant, with a record of 8-1 and also six knockouts, proved to be the better fighter on the night, delivering a calculated and commanding performance that earned him the championship belt.

This win is more than just a title for Dhant—it represents a powerful story of determination and perseverance.

Born and raised in the remote hills of Bajhang, Sudurpaschim Province, Dhant’s journey into professional MMA was anything but easy. He left school after 10th grade and moved to India for work, where he first discovered a martial arts gym. Despite being self-conscious about his height and coming from a humble background, Dhant committed himself to the sport. He won his first amateur championship at 18 but faced limitations due to citizenship barriers.

His journey took him from training in Indian gyms to struggling in Kathmandu without financial support, to ultimately building himself up at Lock N Roll MMA gym in Lalitpur. With guidance from coach Diwiz Piya, Dhant developed his ground game and sharpened his fighting skills.

His dedication paid off with international opportunities, including a groundbreaking appearance in the ONE Championship League in Thailand, where he became the first Nepali to win at that level via technical knockout.

Back home, he helped organize Nepal Warriors Championship (NWC), which has now become a key platform for rising Nepali MMA talent. Despite ongoing challenges like limited sponsorship and poor medical facilities in regional events, Dhant has emerged as a face of the sport in Nepal.

Now training at Soma Fight Club in Bali, he credits his team and fellow Nepali fighter Yuki Angdembe for their support in getting him to this level.

Speaking about the sport, Dhant admits MMA is physically and mentally taxing, requiring multiple training sessions a day, constant analysis of opponents, and a deep understanding of both striking and grappling. But his love for MMA keeps him going.

“Even when I was tired from work, I never felt exhausted inside the gym,” he says. “I’ve accepted the pain. It’s part of the process.”

With this win at MFN 17, Dhant not only brings home a major championship but also gives hope to aspiring fighters across Nepal. His story is a reminder that with persistence, even the most unlikely journeys can lead to greatness.