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India now has its own MMA promotion.
Super Fight League was launched in the Indian capital this week by millionaire entrepreneur Raj Kundra and the famous actor Sanjay Dutt. Also involved is Ken Pavia, a long-time MMA agent who recently had a big fallout with the UFC.
Things commence in Mumbai on March 11 with a seven-fight card. It will feature a grand prix with six Indian fighters versus international opponents plus a headline super-heavyweight bout between Pride FC veterans James 'Colossus' Thompson and Bob Sapp.
SFL will have six weight categories and has stated a commitment to signing established international fighters to exclusive deals. The six weights are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight and featherweight. All weight limits correspond with the limits in the US and elsewhere.
Following the inaugural March 11 event there will be a second round in Chandigarh on April 7 and the final round will take place in New Delhi on May 6.
For some time, the UFC has been known to have its eye on the Indian market because of the high proportion of males aged 18-to-34 that make up a significant part of its massive population. Whether India has the interest or the economy to support an MMA show has always been a question mark, but we will find out soon enough thanks to SFL.
The creation of SFL comes not long after the formation of ONE FC in nearby Singapore. ONE FC aspires to corner the entire Asian market and become a new Pride FC in the process. It held its first show in Singapore last year and has a heavy schedule lined up for 2012.
SFL has not stated any international ambitions as yet but its policy of signing talent to exclusive deals could well place it at odds with ONE FC in the talent acquisition market.
Super Fight League was launched in the Indian capital this week by millionaire entrepreneur Raj Kundra and the famous actor Sanjay Dutt. Also involved is Ken Pavia, a long-time MMA agent who recently had a big fallout with the UFC.
Things commence in Mumbai on March 11 with a seven-fight card. It will feature a grand prix with six Indian fighters versus international opponents plus a headline super-heavyweight bout between Pride FC veterans James 'Colossus' Thompson and Bob Sapp.
SFL will have six weight categories and has stated a commitment to signing established international fighters to exclusive deals. The six weights are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight and featherweight. All weight limits correspond with the limits in the US and elsewhere.
Following the inaugural March 11 event there will be a second round in Chandigarh on April 7 and the final round will take place in New Delhi on May 6.
For some time, the UFC has been known to have its eye on the Indian market because of the high proportion of males aged 18-to-34 that make up a significant part of its massive population. Whether India has the interest or the economy to support an MMA show has always been a question mark, but we will find out soon enough thanks to SFL.
The creation of SFL comes not long after the formation of ONE FC in nearby Singapore. ONE FC aspires to corner the entire Asian market and become a new Pride FC in the process. It held its first show in Singapore last year and has a heavy schedule lined up for 2012.
SFL has not stated any international ambitions as yet but its policy of signing talent to exclusive deals could well place it at odds with ONE FC in the talent acquisition market.
