Sangram Singh created history on Sunday, April 5, becoming the first Indian to win a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight on Argentine soil. The Indian wrestling legend delivered a dominant performance, defeating French fighter Florian Coudier at the Tigre Sports Club stadium in Buenos Aires.
The bout ended quickly, with Singh securing a submission victory in just 1 minute and 45 seconds, demonstrating the strength of his wrestling background and experience in combat sports.
Dominant Performance in the Cage
Facing an opponent 16 years younger, Singh controlled the fight from the opening moments. Using his grappling skills, he overwhelmed Coudier, forcing a submission and sealing another milestone in his growing MMA career.
This victory marked Singh’s third consecutive MMA win, following earlier triumphs in Tbilisi and Amsterdam.
Sangram Singh’s Message After the Win
After the fight, Singh emphasized that the victory was about inspiration rather than titles.
He said:
“Win or lose doesn’t matter to me. I either win or learn. Passion has no age.”
Reflecting on the historic moment, he added:
“My dream of becoming the first Indian came true when I won the fight in Argentina. Dream high and work to make those dreams come true.”
Singh also explained that he remained calm despite his opponent’s attempts to provoke him during the face-off.
According to Singh, Coudier told him before the match that MMA is a sport for young fighters, not veterans, and joked that injuries at his age do not heal quickly. Singh chose not to respond and instead observed his opponent carefully because he had not seen any previous fight footage. After the bout, the French fighter reportedly apologized to Singh.
Hat-Trick of MMA Wins
The Argentina victory marks another milestone in Singh’s late but remarkable MMA journey.
- October 2024: Defeated Pakistani fighter Ali Raza Nasir in Georgia in just 90 seconds.
- November 2025: Won his second professional bout in the Levels Fight League in Amsterdam against Tunisian fighter Hakim Trabelsi.
- April 2026: Defeated Florian Coudier in Buenos Aires, completing a hat-trick of international MMA victories.
Fans Celebrate Historic Moment
The victory sparked widespread celebration among Indian sports fans, who described the achievement as a moment of national pride for Indian combat sports.
Supporters flooded social media platforms with highlights of the quick submission finish. Many fans also praised Singh’s resilience, noting that he won the fight at 41 years of age, reinforcing his message that “passion has no age.”
The event also gained added significance with the presence of the Indian Ambassador to Argentina, which further highlighted the international importance of the moment.
From Wheelchair to World Stage
Born in Rohtak, Haryana, Singh’s journey is widely regarded as one of the most inspirational stories in Indian sports.
As a child, he battled Rheumatoid arthritis, spending nearly eight years in a wheelchair before recovering and pursuing athletics. His wrestling career began with the Delhi Police in 1999, and he later rose to international prominence.
Some of his major achievements include:
- Named World’s Best Professional Wrestler (2012) by World Wrestling Professionals.
- Two-time Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion in professional wrestling.
- Returned to wrestling in 2024 to defeat Pakistani wrestler Mohammad Saeed in Dubai.
Beyond Sports
Singh also became widely known through television appearances, including the reality shows Bigg Boss 7, Survivor India, and Nach Baliye 7, where he participated with his partner and now wife Payal Rohatgi.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond competition, Singh frequently speaks at institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management, as well as to the Indian Army, encouraging young people to pursue discipline, fitness, and resilience.
Speaking after his victory, Singh dedicated the moment to the youth of India.
“At this stage of life, I don’t fight to win titles—I fight to inspire hearts. If even one young person dares to chase their dream after seeing this, my victory is already complete.”
With another historic achievement under his belt, Sangram Singh continues to prove that determination, discipline, and passion can redefine the limits of age and adversity.
