Nepal, take a bow — we have a new champion!

In a thrilling main event at Matrix Fight Night 17 in Greater Noida, India, Rabindra Dhant made a massive statement. The Lock N Roll MMA fighter dominated from the opening bell and sealed the deal with a knockout in the third round against India’s Chungreng Koren — claiming the MFN Bantamweight Championship in style.

With this win, Rabindra not only improves his pro record but also cements his status as one of the top fighters in the region — and a rising name in South Asian MMA.

From training relentlessly in Nepal to representing the nation on one of the biggest stages, Rabindra’s journey is a story of grit, discipline, and heart. And tonight, that story reached a historic high.

The arena erupted, and Nepali fans watching around the world felt every second of it.
This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.

A Special Moment from an Unexpected Ally

Earlier in the night, Zack Bennett of New Zealand — who trains at Soma Fight Club in Bali alongside Rabindra — fought in a welterweight bout against Afghanistan’s Abdul Fazeel. Zack not only won his fight, but he made the moment even more special for Nepal.

As he walked out, he proudly carried both the New Zealand and Nepali flags.
And after his victory, he stood in the cage and chanted:
“Jai Nepal! Jai Nepal! Jai Nepal! Jai Nepal!!”

It was raw, unexpected, and emotional — a moment that gave goosebumps and showed the kind of brotherhood that exists beyond borders in this sport.

The night delivered high-octane action from start to finish, with fighters like Jai Maliyal, Musa Raish, Rabi Panjshiri, Abhishek Negi, Firdavs Zaripov, Sahil Rana, Mert Ozyildirim, and Sunatullo Azizov all securing impressive wins. In the co-main event, Sonam Zomba secured a well-earned win over Anna Safeeva in a high-stakes strawweight title clash, giving the home crowd another big moment to celebrate. Adding to the star power of the evening, Bollywood veterans Jackie Shroff and Gulshan Grover were also in attendance, showing their support for the fighters and the event.

Getting back to our hero; with this win, Rabindra Dhant now holds a professional MMA record of 9 wins and 1 loss.

Tonight, Rabindra didn’t just win a fight — he made history.
A moment the nation will remember.
A performance that inspired thousands.

Nepal is proud.

And we’re just getting started.