#TFGinterview: Indian MMA fighter Yogesh Jadhav Recalls his struggles, reveals mission UFC 300 and more

INDIAN MMA FIGHTER YOGESH JADHAV has been in the news lately for some good reasons and some controversial ones. Currently 1-0 in his MMA career, Yogesh started training at a young age itself and is still poised about climbing up the ranks.  

Early days and the influence of Mud Wrestling:

A former MTV Roadies contestant, Yogesh was born into an underprivileged family in Solapur District of Maharashtra; Fascinated by the Kusthi Dangals in Maharashtra, Yogesh took up wrestling at a young age. As his uncle was a well-versed wrestler, his family didn’t have many problems with his decision as well.

Yogesh soon expanded his knowledge in martial arts by taking up Karate. He improved his striking skills thanks to this and then he found out about the vast world of Mixed Martial Arts. This is when, at a tender age of 16, with a bag full of dreams, Yogesh decided to move to Pune so that he could get better training facilities.

Initially, there was a huge struggle. He had to do some random jobs here and there and it barely covered his expenses. However, he waited patiently till he was 18 so that he could work as a bouncer in pubs and cafes. 

The Roadies Break:

What changed Yogesh’s life upside down was his appearance on MTV Roadies. He was picked into the show by Olympic Medallist Sushil Kumar, which proved to be an icing on the cake. The exposure that Yogesh got on Roadies helped him create a fan base which still follows him.

After Roadies was wrapped up, it was back to training for Yogesh. But two back to back bike accidents derailed his career big time. The recovery process was slow and now, he has found a new home at the Dragon MMA Gym in Pune. He said that the gym is a home away from home for him and had high praise for all his coaches at the Gym.  

Still squeezed by the financial constraints, Yogesh recently started working as a wrestling trainer in Cult-The Work Out station. It was a job that he got through the reference of Dragon MMA gym owner Shantanu, Indian MMA fighter Govind Ale and founder of the workout station, Rishabh Telang.

The UFC 300 Plan

When asked about his future plans, Yogesh revealed the ‘Target UFC 300’ project which is in place at the Dragon MMA gym. The project aims to create an eco-system for the deserving and talented fighters in Indian subcontinent so that they could aim to appear for UFC 300. Yogesh has a similar objective. He wants to represent his mother nation India at UFC 300 and he promised that he will keep improving himself throughout this journey.

The story was made with the help of an exclusive interview that Yogesh had with TFG MMA’s Renjith Ravindran.

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