UFC Academy Combine 2024: Four Indians In The Invite Only MMA Talent Evaluation Event

UFC has announced the fifth UFC Academy Combine, the invite-only talent evaluation platform where top MMA prospects showcase their technical skills and physical ability to be considered for a full scholarship to the UFC Academy.

The fifth UFC Academy Combine is being held from March 21-22 at the UFC Performance Institute (UFC PI) in Shanghai, China, where four Indian MMA talents will participated for a chance to earn a spot in the UFC Academy.

The athletes will be tested on 72 individual metrics across 12 categories covering technical skill (wrestling, grappling, and striking) with physical ability (explosive lower and upper body power, maximum strength, anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity, reaction time, and aerobic recoverability).

A proprietary scoring system will be utilized so that clear comparisons can be made between individual fighters, ultimately leading to an overall UFC Academy Combine ranking for each athlete.

Invitees at the UFC Academy Combine have the opportunity to receive a full scholarship to the UFC Academy, an MMA talent development program created and managed by the UFC PI.

Approximately 25 to 30 athletes have been selected from the each UFC Academy Combine, with eight having signed contracts to join UFC: Rong Zhu, Aoriqileng, Sha Yilan, Alatengheili, Liang Na, Maheshate, Zhang Mingyang, and Yizha.

Who are the Indian MMA athletes participating UFC Academy Combine 2024?

The fifth UFC Academy Combine will host approximately 40 athletes and will be the first Combine where athletes from India, Indonesia, and Singapore will participate. The following are the participants from India:

Clinton Kenin D'Cruz, flyweight
Roshan Mainam, flyweight
Sumit Kumar, flyweight
Punyajit Likharu, bantamweight

Highlights during the Combine will be posted on UFC India Instagram account @UFCIndia. Following the conclusion, participants who have been chosen to receive scholarships to UFC Academy will be announced. The results from the two-day event will be updated once the UFC Academy Combine 5 is finished.