Apex Combat Championship promises treat for MMA enthusiasts

DIMAPUR — Apex Combat Championship (ACC), a mixed martial art (MMA) event is scheduled to be held on September 30 at Agri Expo, Diphupar, Chümoukedima district.

Addressing a press conference on Monday at Nagaland Coffee Café, Diampur, the organisers of the event including Yarenthung Lotha, a MMA and fitness enthusiast; Chenithung Jami, MMA fighter, and Alobo Naga, proprietor of Musik-A, said that the event was conceptualised by Lotha and Jami who then partnered with Musik-A to create a platform for MMA enthusiasts.

They informed that the event will witness action-packed fights featuring fighters from the state and well as national and international fighters. It will also organise “celebrity fights for entertainment.”

The organisers shared that with the rising popularity of MMA in the Northeast region, Nagaland has also firmly established itself as a hub for MMA enthusiasts, with gyms and training centres cropping up across the state.

The ACC event will serve to further fuel the passion for the sport and inspire a new generation of fighters to pursue their dreams within the cage.

They updated that the ACC co-main event of the night will feature a bantam weight match between undefeated MMA national gold medallist Chourajit Laishram from Manipur and 11-time undefeated Darren Karshandy.

The inaugural edition of ACC will witness an exhibition bout between international fighter Musa Conteh from the American Top Team (ATT), USA, and upcoming Naga fighter Tovi Sema.

In addition to the main event, other matchups under various weight classes are lined up.

In the flyweight category, national gold medallist in amateur MMA with a record of 12 wins, Nazareth Lalthazuala from Mizoram will be taking on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wizard with six wins, Aman Gussain from New Delhi. Aboto Ayemi with an impressive 99.9 % KO record will clash against Mizoram’s Phenom Lalhmangaihzuala with an impressive record of 12-2.

After a long hiatus, game-bred Aloto Zhimomi from Nagaland and Remmy Kharshandy from Meghalaya, a true scholar of the art, will go head to head in an epic battle of the veterans.

In the welterweight category, Mizoram’s HMS Dawngzuala and Meghalaya’s Kedo will both be making their debut, while Meghalaya’s Jeff will face debutant Avor from Nagaland.

Two female kick boxers, Sentizungla Ozukum from Nagaland will fight against Aasory Tamang from Assam, in a stance to show female supremacy inside the ring.

Also, the viewers will witness bouts between Tulu Lkr and Lemming Thanglen, Goowin Ningshen and Israel Lalrinawa and, Gregory and Luke Telou.

Meanwhile, Nagaland’s Pop sensation Renbeni Odyuo representing The Fitness House will box Assam’s model, actor and YouTuber Leeza, representing The Clinical Spa, Dimapur, in an exhibition encounter.

Also in another interesting event, pop artist and singer-songwriter, Joshya Shohe will go glove to glove with Mr. Nagaland, GMI Mr. India, Tonoto Zhimomi, in an electrifying exhibition match.

The announcer and host of the evening will be veteran singer Moanungsang of Naga Idol fame, and popular artistes like Moko Koza and Afrikan Amakishiu will be belting songs in between the fights. DJ Lil Bomb will be the official DJ of the evening, they updated.

Tickets for the vent are priced at INR 2000 for Area ‘A’ (sold out), INR 1500 for Area ‘B’ and INR 500 for general.

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