Mridul Saikia to represent India in Road to UFC Season 4

Guwahati: Mridul Saikia, from Guwahati, will be the only Indian fighter in Road to UFC Season 4, set to begin in Shanghai. The tournament scouts top Asian MMA talent for the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed The Crusher for his aggressive style, Mridul holds an unbeaten record of 8-0. He began with local fights and trained in Thailand before joining Dojang MMA in Guwahati. “Good facilities are available here now. Basics matter,” he said. His journey turned serious after his mother passed away in 2017. “That changed me completely. I didn’t want to waste time anymore,” Mridul recalled. Backed by his sister Jeba and her husband Imtiyaz, he overcame financial and emotional hurdles. His father, a BRO employee, now beams with pride. “One of his senior officers saw me fight in Delhi. That made him proud,” Mridul said. Inspired by WWE, action films, and Assam’s warrior Lachit Barphukan, Mridul says courage fuels his every fight. “Before entering the cage, I pray silently to Mahadev,” he shared. Former UFC champion Forrest Griffin recently mentioned Mridul in an interview, giving the young fighter a major confidence boost. “It means a lot. I’ll give my best,” he said. As one of 32 fighters from 11 countries, Mridul carries not just personal ambition but also Assam’s hopes. “I seek everyone’s blessings. I want to win this for all of us,” he said.