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After football, cricket, badminton and kabddi, a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) series, Super Fight League, is looking to inspire youngsters into a world of combat sports.
To start with, the league has tied up with Sony Pictures Network for on-air and digital format. It said the franchise owners will also set up gyms that will train an emerging talent pool for MMA matches for both domestic and international events.
India’s first MMA league is promoted by British businessman Bill Dosanjh and British professional boxing sensation and two-time world champion Amir Khan. The first league match will be held in January 2017.
“We saw an opportunity in promoting a league in India as both wrestling and boxing are traditionally played in the country,” Dosanjh, CEO and Principal Founder, Super Fight League, told BusinessLine . “We see contact sports gaining momentum in India and we want to see youngsters make a career out of it.”
He said the company’s association with Sony will also help it reach wider audiences in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives.
Dosanjh said the company has so far invested about ₹60 crore in the league.
Eight teams with a total of 96 fighters will fight in India. Each team will have a mix of female and male members — nine Indian and three international fighters. Teams from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Haryana, Bengaluru, Punjab, Pune and Goa will be represented.
Speaking about giving local talent a platform to perform, Dosanjh said: “Traditionally, boxers and wrestlers came from rural heartlands. We are streamlining the business by setting up modern-day gyms that will train talent and groom them for global events.”
Asked about sponsorships, Dosanjh said some big names are already in the process of associating with the league. He said the league is looking to earn revenue from ticketing, sponsorship and even merchandise.
It is not just men but also women who will be a part of the league. “Look at the biggest box office success this year, Sultan — it is all about MMA. We hope to inspire more women, too, to take up the sport.”
The tournament will have an enhanced prize purse of ₹4 crore. The unique scoring system is bound to keep the spectators hooked as a fighter can claim six points on winning a bout through knock-out.
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