The Coach's Corner: My Philosophy
Coaching isn't just about drills. It's about building fighters who can think clearly under pressure and stay consistent. Here is the mindset behind Team Dojang.
A message to all fighters dealing with trolls and hate after a loss. MMA is a private sport you do for yourself. Forget what people say, listen to your coach, and focus on getting 1% better every day.
People ask me what I get out of being a coach. It's this feeling of helping a deserving, hardworking person get the platform they've earned. Road to UFC is a big step, but the goal is the UFC title. This is just the beginning.
Here's the roadmap to the UFC for an Indian fighter. It starts with amateur fights, building a pro record, and then getting into a tournament like Road to UFC. This is the path we are building for our athletes.
We don't fight for government support; we fight for our country. This is my answer to why we pursue MMA even without official funding. We do it for the love of the sport and the pride of representing India.
A response to critics who say my fighter gets easy opponents. We never turn down a tough fight. The reason my fighters look dominant is because they are strong and well-prepared. We are here to fight anyone.
After a tough loss for an Indian fighter in the UFC, I talk about the gap between the Indian MMA scene and the UFC level. To close this gap, we need more international fights and training camps, which is exactly what we are doing.
Why I can't sponsor every fighter. I explain the reality of running a gym and how we select fighters like Nazaret for sponsorship based on their hunger, talent, and achievements. You have to earn your spot.
If you don't have an MMA gym nearby, where should you start? I recommend building a base in boxing for striking, wrestling for takedowns, and Wushu for kicks and transitions. These are the fundamental arts for MMA.
How to build a professional career in MMA. I explain the path from amateur to pro, the importance of building a solid record, and how to eventually get a shot at major promotions like Road to UFC.
What is success in martial arts? It's not just about winning. It's about completing the journey, maintaining sportsmanship, and learning from both wins and losses. That is a successful martial artist.
About The Coach's Corner: My Philosophy
People often ask me why I don't quit when things get tough, or how I handle the criticism my fighters get online. The truth is, fighting in the cage is lonely, and the only voice that matters when you're in there is your coach's. We don't train for likes or public approval, we train because we have a goal that's bigger than the noise. If you are looking for an easy route, this is not the place for you.
Building a Fighter’s Mindset
Martial arts is 20 percent technique and 80 percent mindset. When I started Dojang on a balcony in Guwahati with just eight students, I learned early that without mental toughness, you break the moment you face a real challenge. My sessions are designed to push you past the 'I can't do this' phase. Whether it is boxing, Muay Thai, or BJJ, we focus on the grind.
Dealing with the Noise
I get asked constantly about how to deal with trolls or the lack of support. My answer is simple: stop playing for others. You are in the gym for yourself, your family, and your financial growth. If you are waiting for government validation or online approval to work hard, you are already losing. We don't fight for validation, we fight for our country and for our own pride.
The Path from Amateur to Pro
There is a massive gap between the Indian MMA scene and the international UFC level. To bridge it, you need discipline. We take our training camps seriously—3 to 4 hours of daily grind including cage control, technical drills, and strength work. If you want to go pro, you need to be ready to travel, spar with international partners, and lose some fights along the way. That is part of the game. If you are ready to put in the work and stop making excuses, let's talk.
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