Sangram Singh wins Asian MMA Championship, defeats Pakistan's Mohammad Abid in 80 seconds
Synopsis
Sangram Singh made Indian MMA history in Kuala Lumpur, submitting Pakistan's Mohammad Abid Ali in just 80 seconds to become the first Indian Asian MMA Champion. A 30-second ankle hold set up the choke that ended the fight — and the pre-match noise — decisively.
Key Takeaways
Sangram Singh became the first Indian to win the Asian MMA Championship on 19 July in Kuala Lumpur .
He submitted Mohammad Abid Ali (Pakistan) in 1 minute 20 seconds via ankle hold and choke combination.
The win extended Singh's MMA record to 4 victories , including 2 wins over Pakistani opponents.
Singh's path to the final included wins over opponents from Pakistan, Tunisia, and France .
Coach Bhupesh Kumar credited Singh's wrestling experience for the decisive finish against a taller, reach-advantaged opponent.
Singh dedicated the title to 1.4 billion Indians , reaffirming his mission to keep India's tricolour flying in international competition.
Sangram Singh scripted history in Kuala Lumpur on 19 July, becoming the first Indian to claim the Asian MMA Championship title by submitting Pakistani fighter Mohammad Abid Ali in just 1 minute 20 seconds. The victory extended Singh's unbeaten MMA record to four wins, with two of those coming against Pakistani opponents.
How the Fight Unfolded
The bout had been charged with tension even before the opening bell, following a contentious weigh-in and a series of provocative statements from Abid Ali — popularly known as Mohammad Buta — during the pre-fight face-off. Despite the psychological pressure, Singh remained disciplined inside the cage.
According to coach Bhupesh Kumar, Abid entered the fight with a clear size advantage — a taller frame that gave him superior reach — and opened aggressively with punches, one of which caught Singh near the eye. Singh, rather than trading at range, chose to stay composed and bide his time.
At the 30-second mark, Singh executed a precise leg attack and swiftly locked in an ankle hold. When Abid attempted to use the cage wall to neutralise the submission, Singh dragged him back to the centre of the mat and transitioned seamlessly into a choke. Abid had no answer to the grappling sequence, and the referee stepped in at 1 minute 20 seconds.
The Road to the Final
Singh's path to the Asian title included victories over Ali Raza Nasir of Pakistan, Hakim Trabesi of Tunisia, and Florian Caudier of France. The two-time Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion — who transitioned from a celebrated wrestling career to MMA — has now capped that journey with continental gold.
Notably, Singh had employed a similar leg-attack strategy to win a previous bout in Argentina, underlining the consistency of his wrestling-based game plan across different opponents and arenas.
Singh's Dedication and Abid's Reaction
After the win, Singh dedicated the title to 1.4 billion Indians, saying his only objective in every fight is to keep India's tricolour flying high. The stadium erupted in celebration as the verdict was announced.
Abid Ali, meanwhile, drew loud boos from the crowd in Kuala Lumpur after making remarks about loving Muslims in Malaysia — comments widely seen as an attempt to deflect from the defeat. His conduct, consistent with his behaviour during the face-off, drew sharp reactions from those in attendance.
Coach's Assessment
Coach Bhupesh Kumar noted that Abid's height and rapid punching speed had initially made the contest look like it could go either way. However, Singh's deep wrestling pedigree ultimately proved the difference. 'Although Abid had also transitioned from wrestling to MMA, Sangram completely outclassed him with his wrestling techniques,' Kumar said, adding that the ankle hold at the 30-second mark set the tone for the entire finish.
With the Asian Championship belt now around his waist, all eyes will be on what Singh targets next on the global MMA circuit.
Point of View
Singh's ankle-hold-to-choke finish in 80 seconds was textbook grappling under pressure. The pre-fight theatrics from the Pakistani corner, far from rattling him, appear to have sharpened his focus. The bigger question now is whether Indian MMA's infrastructure — coaching, promotion, and institutional support — can build on this moment or whether Singh remains a singular outlier in a sport that India has yet to fully embrace at the federation level.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sangram Singh and what did he win?
Sangram Singh is a former wrestler-turned-MMA fighter who on 19 July became the first Indian to win the Asian MMA Championship. He claimed the title by submitting Pakistan's Mohammad Abid Ali in 1 minute 20 seconds in Kuala Lumpur.
How did Sangram Singh win the Asian MMA Championship?
Singh executed a leg attack at the 30-second mark, locked in an ankle hold, and — after dragging his opponent away from the cage wall — transitioned into a choke that forced the stoppage at 1 minute 20 seconds. His wrestling background proved decisive against the taller, longer-reaching Abid Ali.
What is Sangram Singh's MMA record?
The Asian Championship win was Singh's fourth MMA victory, maintaining his unbeaten record in the sport. Two of his four wins have come against Pakistani opponents.
Who did Sangram Singh defeat on his way to the Asian MMA title?
Singh defeated Ali Raza Nasir of Pakistan, Hakim Trabesi of Tunisia, and Florian Caudier of France before beating Mohammad Abid Ali in the final.
What did Mohammad Abid Ali say after the fight?
Abid Ali, who had made provocative remarks during the pre-fight face-off, reportedly told the crowd in Kuala Lumpur that he loved all Muslims in Malaysia — comments that drew loud boos from those in attendance. His conduct was widely seen as an expression of frustration over the defeat.
