Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Hindu ‘Festival of Lights’, a multi-day celebration of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by millions of people across the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths, with the specific reason varying by religion, but generally involving the lighting of oil lamps (diyas) and a symbolic victory over evil forces.
As fireworks light up the night sky and the air fills with the scent of sweets and incense, Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights – brings families together to celebrate victory over darkness, good over evil and renewal. This year, on October 20, the joyous event coincides with a wave of pride in India’s growing MMA scene.
Although no UFC fights are scheduled during the festivities, Indian mixed martial arts fighters, both emerging and established, are channeling the festival’s themes of resilience and triumph in their preparations for future fights. For these warriors of the octagon, Diwali is not just a holiday; it is a reminder of the indomitable spirit that fuels their global ambitions.
Anshul anniversary
At the forefront is Anshul Jubli, the 30-year-old lightweight sensation from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, who has become the face of Indian MMA on the world stage. Jubli, who earned his 2023 UFC contract by dominating the Road to UFC lightweight tournament with a second-round TKO over Indonesia’s Jeka Saragih, embodies Diwali’s story of perseverance.
Despite a heartbreaking first-round knockout loss to Mike Breeden at UFC 294 in October 2023 – infamously caused by Breeden’s barking taunt that flummoxed the rookie – Jubli bounced back with a gritty unanimous decision win over Christian Rodriguez at UFC 312 in February 2025. Now 8-2 in his professional career, Jubli is training rigorously for his next fight. the festival as a motivational reset.
“Diwali is about lighting the lamp inside, just like stepping into the octagon,” Jubli said in a recent interview with UFC.com.
“In India, we grow up hearing stories of Ram’s victory over Ravan – it’s the ultimate comeback story. After my debut setback, I trained harder and sharper. This Diwali I’ll be celebrating with my family in Dehradun, lighting diyas and sharing ladoos, but my thoughts are already on the next fight.
India deserves more fighters like us.”
Jubli’s journey from a self-taught wrestler emulating YouTube videos of coaches like Firas Zahabi to a UFC contender has inspired a generation and proves that Indian talent can shine brightly on MMA’s biggest platform.
Jubli is not the only one making the tricolor fly high.
Pooja Diwakar
Puja Diwakar, the 28-year-old strawweight from Delhi, made history as the first Indian woman to win a UFC fight in April 2025, defeating Brazil’s Rayanne Amanda dos Santos in the second round at UFC on ESPN 55.
Diwakar, a former Matrix Fight Night (MFN) champion co-founded by Bollywood star Tiger Shroff, followed this up with a close finish against Loma Lookboonmee in her second outing before suffering a narrow decision loss. Her technically striking and unyielding ground game has drawn comparisons to the early Ronda Rousey, and she has been outspoken about Diwali’s role in her mental strength.
“For me, Diwali is family, fireworks and fighting spirit,” Diwakar told Sportstar earlier this year. “We burst out patakhas to chase away evil – the same as tapping opponents in the cage. Training during the festival means early morning sessions before making the rangoli, but it recharges me. This year I am organizing a small puja at my gym, Crosstrain Fight Club, and inviting young girls to spar and dream big.”
Diwakar’s success has spotlighted the rapid evolution of women’s MMA in India, where wrestling roots from states like Haryana and Punjab blend seamlessly with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai.
Arjan Bhullar
Besides the UFC, other fighters of Indian descent are keeping the flame alive. Arjan Bhullar, the 39-year-old heavyweight and former ONE Championship titleholder of Punjabi descent, has long celebrated Diwali as a cultural anchor throughout his globetrotting career. Bhullar, who boasts a 12-3 record and a wrestling pedigree from Stanford University, often shares celebratory posts combining Sikh traditions with MMA grit.
“Diwali reminds us that strength comes from light, not just muscle,” he posted on Instagram last year, alongside photos of his family in traditional attire. Bhullar is currently a coach at his gym in New Jersey and is eyeing a ONE return in 2026, mentoring talents such as India’s Thounaojam “Bambam” Singh, a 2024 IMMAF world champion from Manipur.
Gurdarshan Manhole
Gurdarshan “Saint Lion” Mangat, the flyweight veteran from Punjab, adds another layer to this tapestry. With a 17-9 record and multiple UFC appearances, Mangat’s cutting edge in boxing has earned him victories against the likes of Drako Rodriguez. A devout Sikh, Mangat regularly observes Diwali along with Gurpurab and uses the festivals to reflect on his 15-year professional journey.
“In the octagon you fight demons, yours and your opponent’s. Diwali teaches us to let the light win,” Mangat said in a 2024 interview. Tapology profile. He is currently competing in regional promotions and scouting for a UFC comeback.
The Indian MMA landscape is booming, thanks to promotions like MFN and the Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India (MMAFI), which sanctioned more than 400 amateur fights in 2025 alone. Events like the September 2025 MFN Contenders in Hyderabad drew huge crowds, combining adrenaline with cultural pride.
UFC VP Forrest Griffin, who oversees athlete development, praised the country’s potential: “Indian wrestling culture will explode in MMA. Fighters like Jubli and Diwakar are just the beginning.”
As diyas flicker and sweets are enjoyed this Diwali, these fighters remind us that the true victory of the festival lies in the fight itself. From gyms in Dehradun to cages in Singapore, Indian MMA stars are writing their own epics of light overshadowing: one takedown, one knockout, one celebration at a time. Shubh Diwali to all: may your struggle end in triumph.
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