Angad Bisht: His Journey to the UFC and the Opportunity of Reaching the Big Leagues
India’s next mixed martial arts sensation might emerge soon with the upcoming third season of Road to UFC. Hailing from the hills of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand, 28-year-old Angad Bisht is poised to reach the big league as he prepares to compete against some of Asia’s finest fighters. Holding a record of nine wins and three losses, Angad’s journey into MMA was far from straightforward. In 2014, a determined young Angad began his quest for strength.
He is scheduled to compete in the flyweight bout against John Almanza from the Philippines.
During an exclusive interview with News18 Sports, Angad Bisht discussed his entry into MMA and his ambition to unlock untapped potential and ascend to the major leagues before his match at the Road to UFC.
Changing Paths from Medicine to MMA
Angad began his career in medicine with his family’s encouragement. However, he soon realized it wasn’t his true passion and sought out a path that offered a physical challenge. He immersed himself in MMA in Delhi, balancing part-time work at a gym during the day with dedicated training in the evenings. “The sport provided an adrenaline rush, demanded endurance, and required mental strength and strategy akin to playing chess,” he shared, explaining his deep-seated fascination.
Seeking a way to train both physically and functionally, he turned to MMA. Within just six months of training, he entered amateur fights, secured titles across various promotions, and now stands on the brink of entering the big leagues.
The Road to UFC, Aspirations and Fighting Style
His objectives for the Road to UFC are evident. He stated, “I simply aim to deliver strong performances. I sense a wealth of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. Moreover, my aim is to secure a spot in the UFC, viewing this as the ideal platform for that purpose.” He harbors ambitions of clinching the title and potentially becoming the first Indian champion in the organization, while acknowledging his current skill set and conceding that he is not at that level yet. Nonetheless, he is confident in his ability to reach championship-caliber status within a year.
Regarding his fighting style, Angad has confronted opponents larger than himself, an experience that has sharpened his grappling skills. Despite this, he maintains faith in his striking and footwork, anticipating that his reduced size, transitioning from featherweight to flyweight, will play to his advantage.
Motivations and Current Training Challenges
While not initially a specific goal, making it to the UFC became a pivotal moment for him, marking the decision to showcase his skills on the grand stage. He candidly discussed the setbacks in his career, reflecting on a fight where he was knocked out and suffered a concussion, as well as being choked out. These experiences solidified his determination to pursue the UFC, as he felt it couldn’t get any worse. After a few more fights, he felt ready.
Regarding his training, he expressed confidence in his camp’s preparation for the Road to UFC, emphasizing his approach. While many fighters typically train abroad, Angad took a different stance. He used to train abroad for about 3 weeks, but he found that such a short period didn’t allow for significant improvements. He encouraged Indian fighters to consider this perspective.
In his preparations, Angad highlighted the use of local resources, particularly state-level boxers and wrestlers, in his camp over the last 8 months. He emphasized the unique nature of MMA, combining different disciplines, and stressed the importance of nutrition, often overlooked by many fighters. By bringing in fighters and coaches from the national set-up, they managed to enhance their skills.
He recognized the value of training with individuals who have dedicated themselves to a specific discipline from a young age, as opposed to MMA practitioners who joined at a later stage.
Following Anshul Jubli’s Footsteps
Angad could now bring honor to the nation by emulating Anshul Jubli, who also ascended to the main stage through the Road to UFC. By a twist of fate, they have known each other for a while and hail from the same state. “Anshul is like a brother to me. I’m from Rudraprayag, and he’s from Uttarkashi, which is four hours away. Our acquaintance predates the Road to UFC,” he remarked on his bond with Anshul. He acknowledges the path Anshul paved, which has since bolstered the confidence of more Indian fighters aiming for major leagues like the UFC.
Mainstream Inspirations
Angad remains cautious about the certainty in MMA, where it’s rare for a fighter to dominate over an extended period. Only a few fighters, such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones, have shown true dominance. However, Angad once favored Nate Diaz for his confrontational attitude.
“But now there are levels to the game, you keep seeing different champions after some time. So it is difficult to say this guy is my favourite and then you see them lose,”
he added.