Tibetan mixed martial artists shine at UFC event in Shanghai

Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, Aug 25: Three mixed martial artists from eastern Tibet’s Ngaba region in Amdo province recorded stunning victories at UFC Fight Night 257, held on Saturday, at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in China. 

The fastest win of the night came from Yudra (also known as YiZha) in the featherweight division, who stunned the crowd by knocking out his opponent just 37 seconds into the first round. The 28-year-old now holds a professional record of 26 wins and 5 losses, with 6 victories by knockout, 13 by submission, and 16 first-round finishes, cementing his reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.

Sonam Dhargay, better known by his fight name Sumudaerji and nicknamed “The Tibetan Eagle”, also claimed victory with a points decision after three rounds. In a gesture that drew applause from fans, Dhargay presented his opponent with a traditional Tibetan white scarf, known as a khatak, symbolising respect and sportsmanship. At 29, Dhargay has established himself as one of the most recognised Tibetan fighters in the UFC, competing in the Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions. 

Born on January 20, 1996, he made his UFC debut in 2018 against Louis Smolka, which ended in a submission loss. Since then, his record has grown to 18 wins and 7 losses, with an impressive 13 victories by knockout, 1 by submission, and 4 by decision. His resilience and striking power have made him a fan favourite, earning him the nick name “The Tibetan Eagle”.

The third Tibetan fighter, Rangdol (also known as Rongzhu), delivered another strong performance in the lightweight division, securing a points victory. Born on March 7, 2000, the 25-year-old entered UFC competition in 2021 against Kazula Vargas, where he lost by unanimous decision. Since then, he has rebuilt his career, now holding a record of 27 wins and 6 losses, with 15 wins by knockout, 6 by submission, 5 by decision, and 1 by disqualification. His steady improvement and tactical approach have established him as a rising contender to watch in the lightweight ranks.

The success of these three Tibetan fighters comes at a time when athletes of Tibetan heritage, both in Tibet and in exile, are beginning to gain recognition on international stages. Other rising names include Rinchen Griffithsgolha, a Tibetan MMA fighter from London, and Tenzin Pema, who made history as the first Tibetan woman to compete professionally in mixed martial arts from India. Together, they represent a growing generation of Tibetan athletes making their mark in combat sports.