By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, May 5: Rinchen Griffithsgolha, a Tibetan mixed martial artist from London, United Kingdom, marked a historic moment in his career on last week by clinching his first victory in the professional circuit.
The event Bloodline Fight Series, which took place in Rochester, witnessed Griffithsgolha’s prowess as he secured a unanimous decision from the judges after three intense rounds against Aaron Laleye, whose professional MMA record stood at 3-6-0 (Win-Loss-Draw).
Griffithsgolha, who proudly carries the Tibetan flag on the professional stage, showcased his dominance throughout the fight, outmanoeuvring his opponent with skilful tactics and determination. Despite Laleye’s respectable ranking as the 57th among 81 active UK/Ireland Pro Flyweights, Griffithsgolha’s performance showcased his potential as a formidable competitor. Rinchen Griffiths-Golha is now at the 28th ranked of 290 active UK/Ireland Amateur Flyweights. He is also ranked 51st in the at Bantamweight category.
In his post-fight interview, he passionately declared, “I want all Tibetans to know that we are warrior people! We’re not just sitting around doing nothing. Remember your roots. Pick up a martial art. It doesn’t matter which one. You don’t have to go pro, just make it a hobby. It’ll only propel you forward. Strength is never a weakness.”
When queried about the significance of raising the Tibetan flag inside the cage, Griffithsgolha described the experience as “amazing” and exclaimed, “Bhoe Gyalo,” a Tibetan phrase signifying victory for Tibet. His connection to his cultural identity is evident not only in his performance but also in his proud display of Tibetan symbolism.
Rinchen told Phayul, “As an amateur, I participated in nine fights and clinched victory in two amateur championships. However, for this inaugural professional bout, I decided to transition from the amateur circuit, thus relinquishing those hard-earned belts. It’s essential to note that this isn’t a championship match; rather, it’s a standard professional fight. Consider it my debut, my baby fight. The contest took place in the 57-kilo category, the lightest division, also known as flyweight.”
The victory in Rochester adds to Griffithsgolha’s growing list of achievements, following his triumph in the ‘Call Out Championship’ flyweight amateur title in Cambridge, England, on July 29th. In that bout, he secured a TKO victory over Rienel Tom Bronilla in the second round, further solidifying his status as a rising star in the MMA scene.
