THE LIFE OF RUDRANSH AZAD FLIPPED upside down thanks to Mixed Martial Arts. Hailing from a regular family, Rudransh was a bright student in school.
But just like most of the people out there, teenage proved to be a crucial age for Rudransh. Some choices that he made had him puzzling and he had a sense of cluelessness. He soon tagged himself as a 'Social Reject' but then, he stepped into Evolution MMA.
Rudransh Azad: I come from a humble background. My parents earn just enough to meet all our needs. My choices as a teenager got me into all sorts of problems that I could imagine. I have been a bright child in studies but everything went for a toss. When I first entered evolution MMA I was completely clueless about what I wanted to do in life then. I just wanted to put my body into action and lose some pounds, but what I found there changed my life. I met other society rejects just like me beating each other's ass to achieve something way bigger than I could understand. I knew it then that whatever it was this was my calling. Other reasons being I have always been a sports man and body movement, balance and coordination have always mesmerized me. To learn to fight is to achieve ultimate control over one's body and mind.
Rudransh has been unstoppable ever since. He picked up a win at the WSOF Fight series and then went on to win the Lightweight Championship at Yoddha Fighting Championship. Though most fighters would project their undefeated streak in the best way possible, Rudransh has a different way of looking at things.
Rudransh: Defeat is not real and hence the tag "undefeated" is not real if I view closely in all my fights I have had a lot to learn. To many things to still work on. Both fighters put in a lot of a lot of effort before entering the cage. If we see that way both are defeated till one wins or both are winners to one loses. I want to and will leave a legacy behind me, Believe it.
And the fighter feels that defending his YFC championship and competing on the international level are steps towards the right direction.
Rudransh: I haven't made any huge impacts yet but I will very soon for sure, keep an eye. Coming to the experience I learned a lot. The difference of fighting on foreign soil helped me get an idea of the level outside. [As for YFC, the plan is] To perform the best in the world. So that the world knows that Yoddha fighting championship and the people behind it are for real. And hopefully get sponsors and affiliations for the top Indian MMA organization.
As he mentioned sponsors have been a major problem for Rudransh.
Rudransh: I do not have any sponsors yet. God bless My parents who for now help me out with the finance showing belief. I also take a few classes here and there if I get time off training to earn a few extra bucks.
As he is set to fight at Ultimate Beatdown, Rudransh promises the best fight from him and urges other fighters to believe in themselves. In Malaysia, he will go up against Bartosz Skork of Singapore’s Evolve MMA at the event and it is bound to be one of the biggest challenges of his career.
Rudransh's teammates, Manthan Rane, Anil Mehta and Akshata Khadtare is also fighting at the event.