Rabindra Dhant makes history as first Nepali fighter to win MFN title
The turning point came in the third round, when Rabindra suddenly shifted gears, unleashing a barrage of powerful strikes that overwhelmed his opponent.
KATHMANDU: In a landmark moment for Nepali mixed martial arts (MMA), Rabindra Dhant etched his name in history by clinching the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) 17 bantamweight championship title on Saturday night.
Facing off against India’s formidable fighter Chongren Koreng, widely known as “The Indian Rhino” for his aggressive wrestling and power, Rabindra displayed exceptional composure and tactical defense throughout the bout. Despite Koreng’s early pressure, Rabindra maintained control, countering each move with calculated strategy.
The turning point came in the third round, when Rabindra suddenly shifted gears, unleashing a barrage of powerful strikes that overwhelmed his opponent.
The referee was ultimately forced to stop the bout, declaring Rabindra the winner by technical knockout (TKO).
With this victory, Rabindra becomes the first Nepali fighter to win a title in the prestigious MFN international MMA platform.
His professional record now stands at 8 wins and 1 loss, while Koreng’s undefeated streak of five fights came to an end.
The win sparked an outpouring of celebration among Nepali fans, especially as Rabindra proudly waved Nepal’s flag in the ring during a deeply emotional and unforgettable moment.
Nepal’s former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli also congratulated Rabindra via social media, stating:
“Heartfelt congratulations to Rabindra Dhant for becoming the bantamweight champion at Matrix Fight Night 17 by defeating India’s Chongren Koreng. He has made the country proud by bringing home this historic title for the first time.”
