India to host world's first MMA 'Super Fight League'

NEW DELHI: India will be hosting the world's first Mixed Martial Arts ( MMA) 'Super Fight League' from August 26 to October 1.

The franchise-based league will feature eight teams - Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Haryana, Bangalore, Punjab, Pune and Goa.

The league will be a platform for Indian MMA players like Anup Kumar, CJ Singh, Amit Roy, Dhruv Chaudhary to showcase their skills. Each team will constitute nine Indian fighters and three international ones.

The championship will have an equal stage for women as a total of 96 fighters will be involved in both men and women combined.

Renowned British boxer Amir Khan, who is the chairman of the league, said he wished to bring the 'spice' of MMA to India.

A total of 72 bouts will be played in the league stage which will be followed by two semi-finals, third place and the final bout.