India can produce the best fighters in the world -- In Conversation with Dhruv Chaudhary

THE LATEST EDITION OF Super Fight League starts in a matter of months and Dhruv Chaudhary is one of the most decorated Indian fighters that the promotion has on their roster.

Currently holding a professional record of 7-4, the journey of Dhruv, like most of the MMA fighters out there, has been a memorable one.

It was the urge of trying something different in life that got Dhruv into combat sports; Starting out with kickboxing and Wushu, the first taste of MMA came for him thanks to the SFL Challengers.

Dhruv:  I was sitting watching TV and I noticed the TV show called SFL Challengers. I tried to contact them but could not find a number. Then a friend told me that there were trials happening in the SFL Bootcamp in Nasik. So on July 2013 I made my entry into MMA and also experienced my first win and loss in the trials. I gave my best even in my defeat and that’s what got the attention of the selectors during the trials. In August 2013, I fought my first professional MMA fight against Sumeet Khade.

Resistance from family was the first major hurdle that he came across. Her son entering into combat sports, where getting hurt is a guaranteed thing, was good enough to give his mother a scare.

[Also Read: Proving the doubters wrong – In Conversation with Swapnil Barve]

But thankfully, Dhruv had the support from his friends and coaches and eventually, his mother started supporting him as well.

Dhruv: Needless to say, my Mother did not support me at all. She could not see her son entering such a physical sport. My brother and my friends have always supported me from the start. But my real strength was the support from my coach, Alan Fenandes and Daniel Isaac. He [Alan Fenandes] walked with me step by step through everything I faced. Be it professionally or personally. He has supported me and given me strength and I will be ever grateful to him for it.  Be it financial, mental, physical or moral support. Eventually my mother also saw my talent and started supporting me endlessly.

After his fight against Sumeet Khade, Dhruv went on to have numerous fights, with most of them coming in the Super Fight League; the same promotion that inspired him to get into MMA.One fight in particular stands out in his memory: his fight with Navjot Chahal back in SFL 39. 

Dhruv: To start, let me mention that my fighting style is very defensive. I do not initiate attacks. But prior to this fight I came to learn that Navjot had posted a video on Facebook badmouthing my coach and me. I do not worry what people talk of me but I could not tolerate what he said against my coach. So after watching that video, I channeled all my anger into the fight and went aggressive from round 1. Pounding him till the match ended in the second round with me securing the win with a TKO.

Currently preparing for the new season of Super Fight League, Dhruv also works as a trainer at Cult – The Workstation where he is on a mission to build fighters that could take Indian MMA to the next level.

But Dhruv has a soft part as well, the soft part where he enjoys the time with his own thoughts.

Dhruv: I work as a Kickboxing and MMA trainer at Cult – The Workout Station which is an AIMMAA affiliated center. I enjoy teaching people martial arts and the discipline it involves. It’s not just my work, but my passion as well. A dream of mine is to help develop an excellent fighter from India who will hold our heads high. I also love wager bonding, roaming around aimlessly on some beautiful topography, spending time with my thoughts.

When quizzed about the major problem that Indian MMA was facing, Dhruv pointed at the politics, which according to him, is dragging the fighters down.

Dhruv: The Politics. You see, Fighters are a community. Just like any other group, we grow best when together and in each other’s positivity. But so many martial art federations have come up and they have split our community so far and wide that it is extremely hard for a fighter to find his platform and shine. I believe that India has the biggest pool of talent and can produce the best fighters the world has seen. But the dirty politics is what drags us all down and that is why you don’t see an Indian who is able to make a profound International Impact.

The fans will be able to see Dhruv back in action in January 2017 and he will be doing the thing that he loves the most: fighting.

Dhruv: All Indian fighters dream of fighting in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). But me, I am a fighter who believes in my hard work. I will fight wherever I get the chance, whenever I get the chance. I never give up, never stop and strive to learn and achieve more. So you will see me fight next in January 2017 at the Super Fight League.

At an age of 24, Dhruv still has plenty of quality years ahead of him as far as his career is concerned and SFL will be the next big step for him. Ahead of the same, he had a message for the upcoming fighters; but the funny part is; his advice is not only applicable to fighters, anyone who wants to succeed in life could make use of it.  

Dhruv: Work hard, not hardly work. Success only comes to those who work hard for it. Stay Loyal, to your Coach, to your friends, to your family, to your role model and foremost, to yourself.

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