“Today you are witnessing history,” Brave Combat Federation president Mohammed Shahid said pointing towards Cage 2 on the opening day of the International Combat Week on Monday.
“A service boy at the KHK MMA gym, who used to serve water and hand out towels to fighters, is in that cage. He is representing Nepal in the championship, the only fighter from that country. And look who is cheering him – Shaikh Khalid himself!”
In Cage 2 was Dagendra Tamang taking on Portugal’s Rui Morgado in the flyweight 56.7kg category. Cheered on by a strong supporter seated just outside the cage – Brave Combat Federation founder Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa – Tamang defeated Morgado by unanimous decision. Shaikh Khalid rushed into the cage and embraced Tamang.
He lost yesterday in the round of 16 to Ruslan Satiev of Russia but won the hearts of many mixed martial arts fans. Tamang was greeted by cheering supporters as he stepped out of the cage.
“He (Satiev) is one of the top fighters. But Tamang fought well,” said a spectator.
Tamang looked dejected after yesterday’s loss. “I fought for nine minutes, which itself is an achievement against a fighter like Satiev,” Tamang told the GDN.
“It’s been a wonderful journey as a mixed martial artist so far,” he said. “I never knew what MMA was until I came to Bahrain.”
Tamang, who arrived in Bahrain six years ago, works as a cleaner at the KHK MMA Gym. “I used to observe fighters training at the gym and gradually picked up their techniques. I practised kicks and punches before the fighters arrived for training and after they left. They are very friendly. Most of the days they help me with the cleaning work so that I get some time to practise. They mop and dust the whole place for me.
“Shaikh Khalid had been noticing me and one day he told me to wear the training gear and join the fighters. I was thrilled. That was the turning point.”
Tamang began his career as a mixed martial artist at the Bahrain Open Championship last December. He stepped into the ring after four months of practice and emerged victorious at the event. He won the first round in two minutes and 58 seconds by technical knockout.
“I’ve learned to manage my time between my job at the gym and training. The other fighters and coaches Eldar Eldarov and Renat Abu Ahmad have been of great help. The coaches have told the fighters to treat me as their equal and help me in whatever way they can,” he said.
“Shahid Saab (Mohammed Shahid) has also been of great help, constantly encouraging me. I want to continue as a mixed martial artist for as long as I can and hope to make the world take notice.
“I would have loved to fight for Bahrain at the world championship, but the entry was full and hence represented my home country,” he said.
Tamang has made his country proud in the process. “The country of Nepal has its flag represented at a prestigious international event in Bahrain, all because of Shaikh Khalid’s vision,” an exuberant Shahid said on Monday as Tamang was overpowering the Portuguese.