India, Feb. 14 -- At the age of 12, Siddharth Singh entered the boxing arena at the Doon boarding school in Dehradun, following the example set by his elder brother.

Unbeknownst to him, this initial step would lead him to become a trailblazer as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and a leading coach in Mixed Martial Arts in India.

For six years, Singh faced a series of defeats, competing in front of an audience that included the entire school. However, a pivotal change occurred in his final year, which secured him a position on the Uttaranchal state boxing team.

"I was primarily focused on honing my technical skills and was not overly concerned with winning," Singh shared with HT at the Saket location of his Cross Train Fight Club. "Ultimately, I dedicated myself to rigorous training and emerged victorious in my weight category."

His evolution from a hesitant boxer to an innovator in martial arts took an unforeseen turn during his studies in North London. Unable to locate a boxing club, Singh discovered Muay Thai, the traditional Thai martial art, which introduced him to the effectiveness of kicking techniques.

Nevertheless, it was a humbling encounter with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that significantly altered the course of his life.

During a complimentary BJJ seminar at his Muay Thai academy, Singh, then a 70-kilogram fighter, was matched against a 45-kilogram female fighter from West Asia. The outcome of this encounter continues to elicit laughter from him.

"I regained consciousness while gazing at the stars," he chuckles, recalling how the smaller yet more skilled opponent had knocked him out twice in rapid succession. This experience in 2009 ignited a realization regarding the efficacy of martial arts and its potential to influence self-defense practices in India.

By 2012, Singh had made the bold decision to leave his cushy 9 to 5 job in UK and return to India and establish his own MMA training center. Though he initially approached it as a business venture, he quickly realized there was a crucial gap to fill because India lacked qualified MMA coaches.

Singh is India's first brown belt in BJJ and holds the Gold Mongkol 'Master' title in Muay Thai and hence, he fit right in as a coach.

The initial objective was to avoid becoming a coach altogether, he stated. "However, my focus has been on properly guiding emerging fighters, establishing a system to selectively identify those with potential, and ultimately leading them to the UFC."

Anshul Jubli and Puja Tomar, currently the only two Indians with a UFC contract, have received coaching from Singh at Crosstrain Fight Club in various capacities.

Singh's mission has evolved significantly beyond mere business objectives. His academy now sponsors approximately 60% of its serious fighters, either fully or partially.

"I believe that once people begin to understand and acknowledge that these are real individuals pursuing this path, rather than mere gladiators, it will change perceptions," he remarked. "Elevating Indians to the highest levels requires considerable sacrifice, and the focus has shifted from being solely a commercial venture to fostering the growth of the sport within the country."

Despite the challenges posed by India's fragmented martial arts scene, characterized by multiple federations vying for legitimacy, Singh has preserved his autonomy, choosing not to affiliate with any single federation to allow his fighters the freedom to compete across various platforms.

In Indian mixed martial arts (MMA), a competitor associated with a particular federation is barred from entering tournaments hosted by other federations.

This stance has rendered him "enemy number one" among many of these organizations; however, he remains resolute in his belief that this is the correct path for the advancement of the sport.

"I didn't think that one through," Singh quips. "At first, I received a lot of backlash, but now I believe they have come to realize that I am not favoring any side."

His primary objective? To witness an Indian UFC champion emerge within the next ten years.

"I am certain that an Indian UFC champion will arise in the future," Singh confidently states. "It is not a question of if, but when."

"My responsibility is to ensure that if it takes 40 years, I can expedite that timeline to 10 to 15 years."

To achieve this, Singh is diligently broadening the scope of his training and partnering with prominent promotions to create adequate training facilities in various Indian cities.

"If we can establish Crosstrain-level expertise and infrastructure in every city, I believe we can cultivate enough fighters to produce a number of elite competitors. I do not subscribe to the idea of everyone receiving a small portion of the pie; rather, I think we can collaborate to expand the pie for all." 

For any inquiries regarding this article or other content needs, please reach out to the Editor at contentservices@htdigital.in HT Digital streams Ltd.

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