Nepali mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Yuki Angdembe defeated India’s Mandip Prajapati by knockout in the first round at the Matrix Fight Night (MFN)-18 event held in India. The final match, which took place on Saturday night at the Vijay Singh Pathik Indoor Sports Complex in Greater Noida, saw Yuki claim victory over Mandip in 2 minutes and 31 seconds, silencing the home crowd. The 27-year-old Yuki, born in Nepal and raised in the United Kingdom, proudly represented Nepal through this achievement.
Yuki emphasized the importance of both physical and mental strength in MMA, explaining that pressure should be used as fuel. He advised young athletes to follow their own passion and motivation, stating, “This sport demands more than physical strength. If the mind is weak, it affects your physical performance as well.” Yuki also shared the challenges he faced balancing academics and training while pursuing MMA.
Initially, Yuki played cricket during his childhood but was unable to continue due to a back injury and later transitioned to MMA. He said, “I used to play cricket while in school, but after joining a gym, my interest in MMA grew.” Yuki noted that MMA is rapidly gaining popularity in Nepal, and the level of Nepali fighters is remarkable. He added, “The sport has developed significantly in Nepal. Fighting is in the DNA of Nepalis.”
Focusing on his craft, Yuki stated the importance of expanding one’s focus rather than simply aiming to be a role model. He advised, “Whatever your passion is, you have to follow it and work hard.” Yuki also mentioned feeling fortunate as many people are showing growing interest in MMA these days.
