Guwahati: Mridul Saikia from Assam is gearing up for his biggest challenge yet as he prepares to compete in the Road to UFC 2025 tournament in the flyweight division.

The 27-year-old fighter, nicknamed "Crusher," has earned a spot in the prestigious competition, which kicks off its opening round on May 22 in Shanghai, offering a pathway to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)—the pinnacle of mixed martial arts.

Saikia, who boasts an impeccable 8-0 professional record has become a beacon of pride for Northeast India’s growing MMA community.

Training out of Dojang MMA and Bidang MMA & Fitness in Guwahati under coach Bhabajeet Choudhury, he has finished all eight of his pro fights, showcasing a lethal mix of grappling and striking.

His most recent triumph came at Matrix Fight Night (MFN) 15 in August 2024, where he submitted veteran Himangshu Kaushik with a guillotine choke in the third round—a win that solidified his reputation as a top regional talent.

Currently ranked number 1 among pro men’s flyweights in Asia South, Saikia will face stiff competition in the Road to UFC tournament, including fighters like Agulali (12-1) and Shuai Yin (17-5).

The 32-man field, spanning four weight classes, features athletes from across Asia, with Saikia joined by fellow Indian Chungreng Koren. A strong performance could secure him a UFC contract, a dream he’s chased since beginning his MMA journey in Assam.