UFC Academy Combine 2024 Results: Two Indians Among MMA Athletes To Earn Full Scholarship In Promotion's Academy

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UFC on Monday (March 25) announced the results from the fifth UFC Academy Combine, the invite-only talent evaluation platform where top MMA prospects across the region showcase their technical skills and physical ability.

A total of 28 athletes were selected for a full scholarship to the UFC Academy, and this year marks the first time the list includes athletes from India and Singapore. The fifth UFC Academy Combine took place March 21-22 at the UFC Performance Institute (UFC PI) in Shanghai, China.

The athletes were 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 was utilized so that clear comparisons could be made between individual fighters, which lead to an overall UFC Academy Combine ranking for each athlete.

In the men's group, the athlete with the highest overall score was Ahejiang Ailinuer (featherweight, China). In the women's group, the athlete with the highest overall score was Hailai Wusamo (women's strawweight, China).

Sumit Kumar and Punyajit Likharu were the two Indian among the many MMA athletes that earned a scholarship in UFC Academy. The following is the final list of selected athletes who will receive a full scholarship to attend the UFC Academy at the UFC PI Shanghai, in alphabetical order:

UFC Academy Combine 2024 Results - UFC Academy Full Scholarship Winners

• Agulali (flyweight, China)
• Ahejiang Ailinuer (featherweight, China)
• Aili Mulatebieke (lightweight, China)
• Aziz Khaydarov (lightweight, Tajikistan)
• Baergeng Jieleyisi (bantamweight, China)
• Daermisi Zhawupasi (bantamweight, China)
• Degaxue (bantamweight, China)
• Dong Huaxiang (women's strawweight, China)
• Gexi Pengchu (bantamweight, China)
• Hailai Wusamo (women's strawweight, China)
• Huang Yuele (featherweight, China)
• Ji Niushiyue (flyweight, China)
• Kalinu (featherweight, China)
• Lizicongwu (flyweight, China)
• Punyajit Likharu (bantamweight, India)
• Regezhen (featherweight, China)
• Sim Kai Xiong (flyweight, Singapore)
• Sulang Rangbo (bantamweight, China)
• Sumit Kumar (flyweight, India)
• Ti Haitao (bantamweight, China)
• Tilihabuli Walibieke (lightweight, China)
• Wan Fayang (featherweight, China)
• Wang Cong (women's flyweight, China)
• Xiao Long (bantamweight, China)
• Xie Bin (featherweight, China)
• Yan Qihui (women's flyweight, China)
• Zeqiuduoji (featherweight, China)
• Zhu Kangjie (featherweight, China)