Indian Wrestler Ritu Phogat Signs With ONE Championship And Evolve MMA

Ritu Phogat, one of the Phogat sisters who has achieved numerous accolades in wrestling, has decided to shift her focus to mixed martial arts. The 24-year-old has signed with Singapore-based Evolve MMA gym, and has expressed her desire to become the first Indian MMA fighter to win a world title in a major promotion.

In what about as a surprise to many, Ritu Phogat announced that she has quit wrestling, in order to focus on her MMA career. Evolve MMA is one of the world’s biggest gyms, and is the preferred destination for elite fighters in Asia.

Ritu had previously won the silver medal in U-23 World Championships, and was tipped to be the next big star in Indian wrestling. However, she has now decided to focus on her MMA career, and has taken the first big step, signing with a gym that boasts of incredible talent in MMA and Muay Thai.

“I am excited to have moved to Singapore to begin my new journey in Mixed Martial Arts”, Phogat revealed. “My managers Birbal Sports introduced me to Evolve and convinced me that this is the future.

“I have a dream of becoming India’s first ever World Champion in Mixed Martial Arts and can’t wait to represent India on the global stage and make my nation proud.”

Phogat is one of the first high-profile names to sign with Evolve MMA, opening doors for other Indian talent to join the highly-coveted gym.

Update:

Since this article was written, it has been confirmed that Phogat has also signed with ONE Championship. In a ONE press release, the latest ONE signing said:

“It is both an honor and a privilege to join ONE Championship, the best and biggest martial arts organization in the world. Wrestling will always be my first love, but I feel that it is time to expand my horizons. I am excited to compete against the best mixed martial artists in the world and to bring glory and pride to my home country. I also look to prove that Indian martial arts is truly world-class. Thank you, ONE Championship, for the opportunity to share my talent on the global stage.”

ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong, also had this to say about Phogat:

“At ONE Championship, we are constantly on the lookout for the world’s greatest martial arts talents, especially in Asia. Women’s wrestling sensation Ritu Phogat embodies the true values of martial arts and is a great fit for our organization. I would like to personally welcome Ritu to the ONE Championship family. I’m excited to share Ritu’s story with the world and to showcase Indian martial arts at the highest level, on the biggest global stage of martial arts competition in ONE Championship.”

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