One of India’s top MMA prospects has had their Octagon hopes dashed after a first career defeat on Road to UFC.
The 2025 edition of Road to UFC is underway, as MMA‘s leading promotion once again goes hunting for some new contenders from the Asian region.
Each year features 32-fighter brackets in four weight-class tournaments. Across the first three seasons, 17 participants were awarded UFC contracts, including 11 tournament winners.
Thus far, however, none of them have been able to really hit the ground running and rise through the ranks on the sport’s biggest stage.
Among those looking to change that is a 20-year-old prospect who delivered in a big way on episode two.
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Mridul Saikia, nicknamed ‘Crusher’, gets destroyed by a 20-year-old prospect on Road to UFC
As long as 12 years ago, the UFC was looking at Indian expansion.
India has long been branded an underperforming nation when it comes to mixed martial arts. Despite its population, just two Indian fighters have competed in the UFC.
Some saw undefeated flyweight Mridul Saikia as the best hope for a third. Prior to his Road to UFC fight on Thursday, ‘Crusher’ had won all eight of his professional outings via finishes.
But against Agulali, a 20-year-old prospect out of China, Saikia had his moniker turned against him.
The Indian flyweight was crushed in just 37 seconds. While a left hook did the damage and dropped Saikia against the cage, a brutal follow-up shot left him out cold in a scary scene.
Agulali will now look ahead to his semi-final clash against Namsrai Batbayar on August 22 in Shanghai.
The Mongolian fighter delivered a highlight of his own in the quarter-finals by stopping Wataru Yamauchi with hammerfists in round two.
Agulali touted as ‘new star’ after breakout Road to UFC performance
Clips of Agulali’s brutal Road to UFC knockout quickly spread online, drawing out plenty of fan reactions.
Having seen the 20-year-old land a devastating KO shot on a fighter ranked as the No. 1 professional flyweight in South Asia by Tapology, many are seeing big things in his future.
“A new star,” one fan wrote.
Others followed suit with similar comments.
“Left hand and ruthless follow ups.”
“On to the semis in under 60 seconds.”
“Keep an eye on him.”
“The guy who got knocked out is going to consider his career choice after that one.”
“Other guy looked like he shouldn’t even be fighting.”
Saikia, meanwhile, will go back to the drawing board after failing in his bid to join Anshul Jubli and Puja Tomar as the third Indian fighter to reach the UFC.