Rabindra Dhant is a professional mixed martial artist from Nepal, competing in the bantamweight division. He is the first Nepali fighter to win in the One Championship League.
Rabindra Dhant was born in Bajhang, a remote district in Sudurpaschim, Nepal. Since childhood, he wanted to achieve something big. After completing the 10th grade, he moved to India for work, where he discovered his passion for martial arts.
One day, Dhant saw a martial arts gym and became interested in the sport. He felt insecure about his height but was determined to train. In 2019, at 18 years old, he won the MMA Amateur National Championship in India. However, due to passport issues, he could not represent Nepal internationally. Despite this, he pursued a professional MMA career, though opportunities were limited. His family was concerned, but he remained focused on his goal.
Returning to Nepal, Dhant faced financial difficulties while trying to continue his training. He practiced boxing in Satdobato, Lalitpur, and later joined Pump Gym in Jhamsikhel. There, he met Diwiz Piya, a Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu expert, who helped him improve. He also trained at Lock and Roll in Patan.
Dhant got another chance to fight in India as MMA gained popularity in Nepal. His journey caught the attention of filmmaker / Vlogger Sisan Baniya, who started making a documentary about him but paused it until Dhant had an international fight.
He later traveled to Thailand for training and got an opportunity to compete in the One Championship League. He won his first fight, making him the first Nepali to achieve victory at that level. Although he lost a match later, he made a strong comeback by defeating a Russian fighter via technical knockout.
Dhant helped organize the Nepal Warriors Championship (NWC) and won against an Australian fighter. He now trains in Bali at Soma Fight Club and credits fellow fighter Yuki Angdembe for his support. His family, once doubtful, is now proud of his success.
For Dhant, MMA is more than just a sport—it is his life. “Even when I was tired from work, I felt energized when I entered the gym,” he says. He trains two to three times a day to keep improving.
MMA in Nepal is still growing, but Dhant believes it has a bright future. He advises young fighters to be patient, work hard, and stay disciplined. “MMA is expensive, but if you love it, you keep going,” he says.
Rabindra Dhant’s journey from a small village to the international MMA stage is a story of hard work and dedication. He continues to inspire young fighters in Nepal, proving that dreams come true with perseverance.