Life Behind the Mats: The Daily Grind at Dojang
Coaching doesn't end when the class finishes. From refereeing in Nepal and managing fight camps in the mountains to the 24/7 hustle of keeping a gym running, this is what it really takes to build India's next generation of fighters.
A vlog about one of my most intense experiences as a coach, cornering a fight in Uganda that was followed by a dangerous situation outside the venue. This sport is not for the faint of heart.
A day in the life: installing new ACs in the gym, running fight camp, and teaching group classes. Running a gym means doing whatever it takes to keep things moving forward.
This is the feeling of a dream becoming reality. The moment we visualized the UFC picking us up, and then it actually happened. This is a huge milestone for us on our journey.
As a nomad coach, I'm often on the road. This clip is from my drive to Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, for a fight. I prefer to travel separately to manage my motion sickness and arrive fresh for my fighters.
A vlog from a busy day judging at a college event and then rushing back for our fighters' media day. Even on holidays like Mahashivratri, the fight camp doesn't stop.
A look at the harsh reality of Indian MMA. A fighter can be ranked number one in South Asia, but still get no media coverage. My job is to support them until the world takes notice.
My expression says it all. I'm proud of what we're building and confident in our path to bringing Indian combat sports to the top.
A quick breakdown of the 2-on-1 takedown defense, as demonstrated by world champion Merab Dvalishvili. I'm always studying the best in the world to improve our team's technique.
A vlog about the financial realities of running a gym, especially during the winter. I chose to invest our funds in sponsoring fighters rather than on an expensive hoarding. The athletes always come first.
The life of a coach is full of travel. This vlog documents our trip to Darjeeling, including my solo bike ride through the mountains to get there. The views were worth it.
About Additional Media
Most people think coaching is just holding mitts, but it is actually 70% logistics and 30% fight strategy. Whether I am driving solo to Arunachal to manage my motion sickness while the team travels together, or deciding to skip a costly gym hoarding to use that money to sponsor my fighters' supplements, my priorities are always on the floor and in the cage, not on fancy marketing. If you want to know how I manage the Dojang ecosystem from the ground up, this is the reality.
Being a coach at the level we operate at—where we are training pros for Road to UFC or MFN—means wearing multiple hats. I am the gym owner, the manager handling fight logistics, the referee ensuring safety in promotions like NWC, and the travel planner trying to mitigate motion sickness on mountain roads.
My approach is simple:
- Athlete First: When funds are tight, I do not waste money on expensive external hoardings. That capital goes directly into supplement stacks or travel support for the fighters.
- The Travel Reality: We travel for exposure. Whether it is Darjeeling for a fight or Thailand for an international camp, these trips are about getting our fighters ready for global pressure, not a vacation.
- The Refereeing perspective: Refereeing at events like the Nepal Warrior Championship is not just a side gig. It keeps me sharp, helps me understand rules from the inside, and allows me to ensure the fighters are safe and the game is fair.
Running a gym in Guwahati has its challenges, especially in winter when the flow slows down. But this is exactly when the work matters most. If you are serious about fighting, you will find us grinding in the gym while others take breaks. We do not just teach MMA; we build careers. If you see me in the videos, you see the full picture—the stress, the celebration, and the constant hustle.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
26
Behind the Scenes of the Indian MMA Ecosystem
Behind the Scenes: Our 365 Days of Movement Journey
12
Real Fitness Training Moments & Insights
Behind the Scenes of Real Bodybuilding
11
Real Combat and Fitness Training in Action
20
Behind the Scenes: My Journey in High-Performance Sports
More from Pro Fighter Coaching & Management by Manas Daimary
More services by Manas Daimary