#TFGinterview: Fighting towards her goal – In Conversation with Indian MMA fighter Priya Sharma

PRIYA SHARMA is slowly making strides towards her goal.

In the recently concluded National MMA amateur championship conducted by All India Mixed Martial Arts Federation (AIMMAF), she was crowned the Women’s Flyweight Champion. The win marked a triumphant re-entry for Priya who picked up MMA way back in 2012.

Priya Sharma: My journey in MMA started in 2012 when I got a call to participate in Super Fight League’s reality show SFL Challengers. I was the first female fighter from Chandigarh to fight in the MMA tournament.

One reason that made Priya take the offer was her background in combat sports. A former state jiu-jitsu gold winner, she had achieved numerous accolades in Judo as well, before Mixed Martial Arts came calling. But just like the case with most MMA fighters from India, there was a sense of doubt from her family.

Priya Sharma: Being raised in a conservative family, firstly they weren't too happy me fighting in a new sport as tough and dangerous like MMA. I convinced them to let me try and get this opportunity to achieve my dream. I had experience of combat sports before; I was a national judoka and a state medalist in Wushu championship. Combat sport wasn’t new for me so I agreed and went on the show to show my skills.

Despite her resilience, Priya was forced to take a hiatus from the sport due to financial conditions. After a long gap of three years, she returned at the Yoddha Fighting Championship in Delhi where she faced Sarah Hjalmarsson.

Priya Sharma: I couldn’t stay away from the sport, after 3 years of break I competed in Yoddha Fighting Championship in Delhi, I wasn’t training, was in a very bad shape and I lost the fight via decision. But that was my wake up call to take it up seriously and not waste any further time. I started training after that fight and I started competing actively in the sports. 

A year after her loss to Sarah, Priya would make a lasting impact in YFC by winning a hard-fought three round fight, which she points out as her best memory in her fighting career so far.

Later, to concentrate on her career in MMA, Priya decided to quit her full-time job, in turn, taking a leap of faith. Currently training alongside one of India’s most notable MMA fighters, Chaitanya Gavali, she is experiencing a good amount of success but there have been some major hiccups.

Priya Sharma: MMA is a very new sport to India. I’ am struggling to get more opportunities to compete because not many girls fighting in MMA. To train I have to travel everywhere to improve every day, my financial condition isn't that well .i still haven’t got sponsorship support which can help my career to move up.

The win at the national amateur championship has been a big boost for her amidst the problems and it proves to be another step towards her ultimate goal: to get into UFC and represent India.

Priya Sharma: I want to be most successful women athlete of India. I know I have what it takes to be the champion, the ultimate goal is to get into UFC and represent India.

While there is indeed a struggle to become an MMA fighter in India, Priya still encourages girls to take up combat sports and she has her explanation as well.

Priya Sharma: Each girl should try and learn at least one martial art.  It will boost their confidence and they’ll learn something to defend themselves. We need more women athletes who can be role models to others and motivate them to get out of comfort zone and have a reality check that you can be a victim anytime you need to be ready to fight to protect yourself.

And just like she did at the National Championships, Priya could inspire girls to take up the sport while she makes more strides towards her goal.

#TFGbonus: Priya on training with Chaitanya Gavali

I feel blessed to learn from the best, I have learned a lot and want to improve every day. When I am in Chandigarh I train at Cross Train fight club Chandigarh, they have been very supportive. I really love training there.

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