Nestled deep in the eastern corridor of Arunachal Pradesh, Namsai is a town that defies logic and convention. Blisteringly hot, the weather is not something that most people can deal with. But even as we roasted under the intense sun, there was a sense of anticipation as we rolled onto the paved streets. The town, known for its scenic landscapes and rich cultural heritage, was now ground zero for Aturto 2.2, marking a significant step forward for combat sports in the region. One wouldn’t think that Namsai was a suitable location for an MMA show but as the days rolled by, we were pleasantly proved wrong.
Founded by Higio Tarak and Hage Omo, Aturto has steadily grown in the past year and a half. Roughly translated to ‘Be Strong’, Atruto is uniquely Arunachali, both in spirit and intent. Envisioned as a home for fighters from the region, the promotion aims to showcase the ferocity and skill level of competitors from the North East. Both Tarak and Hage Omo found their lives changed by MMA and jiu-jitsu and with the lack of a true promotion in the region, they joined hands and started a small revolution in 2023. With the right mindset and an unbreakable drive, the two set out to round up a motley crew that would rival even the biggest promotions in the country; Not by size, but by heart and passion. A true bunch of renegades!
Even the Aturto 2.2 faceoffs had a flair of the theatric to it. Taking place in the serene Golden Pagoda, it evokes feelings of olf martial arts flicks from the 70s and 80s. The atmosphere was primed for a night of incredible fights. With a sold-out crowd and the hour drawing near, could this little promotion from the far end of India actually pull this off?
The Rise of Aturto and MMA in North-East India
Over the past few years, the popularity of MMA has been steadily rising in India, particularly in the North-Eastern states. Arunachal Pradesh, known for producing talented athletes in martial arts such as Wushu, Taekwondo, and Boxing, has now embraced MMA as a sport that resonates with the region’s fighting spirit and dedication to physical excellence.
The warrior mentality that is ever present in the region is also responsible for a lot of young men going the wrong way. With the right push and opportunity, the light at the end of the tunnel for a lot of disillusioned young men is much, much closer now. The rise of a promotion like Aturto is a signal that things are changing and there is a way out. With training, comes stability, and with stability comes a fighting chance in the face of overwhelming odds.
When Opportunity Meets a Fist to the Face
The Aturto cage is small! Much smaller than most major promotions. There is no place to run and there is no place to hide. You have to fight! And fight they did at Aturto 2.2. The night started off with a bang, literally. A front kick to the face in the first few seconds of the first amateur contest had me and my fellow commentators stunned. And, it was all uphill from then on.
The prelims consisted of debuting fighters looking to move up the ranks. One of the highlights of the night was seventh-grade Tama Moko armbarring his opponent with grace and technique that belies his age. It was a showcase of Arunachali talent that is clearly itching for competition. Many coming from local gyms that have sprung up in recent years. Another Muay Thai cracker between Robin Deori and Suleman laid the groundwork for the last two fights on the card. Deori survived two knockdowns only to come back and lay a beating on the exhausted Suleman for the victory. But, it was Kon Jarbin who stole the show in the co-main event of the card. Paired up against a dangerous Kisan Bareh, Jarbin was even dropped and pushed to the second round for the first time in his career. But, smart fight IQ and unmatched power saw him ground Kisan in the second and the Meghalaya native decided that he’d had enough and called the fight between rounds.
The true star of Aturto 2.2 has to be Nazareth Lalthazuala from Mizoram. Paired up with a dangerous Jowokum Dilli, he took the fight to the local lad and laid on a beating that Dilli was just not equipped to handle. Nazareth showed off a ferocity rarely seen at this level and beat Dilli to the punch at every exchange. The end came mercifully in round 2 as Dilli had nothing left and ate a bunch of unanswered punches on the ground for the ref to call the fight. Lalthazuala is terrifying and whoever he fights next should be watching this fight very closely.
Fighting for the Future
All in all, Aturto 2.2 was not just a combat sports spectacle but also a cultural milestone for the town and Arunachal Pradesh as a whole. It demonstrated the state’s ability to host a high-profile sporting event and promote a new generation of athletes. The local government, along with the incredible team at Aturto emphasized their commitment to nurturing talent and providing opportunities for young fighters to shine on the national stage.
So what does the future hold for Aturto and MMA in Arunachal Pradesh? Well, if the team at Aturto decides to expand, the only limit is the sky! With a burgeoning market in the northeastern region of India, feeding the warrior identity with a healthy avenue of competition is exactly what the region needs right now. As a travelling roadshow, the promotion has an excellent plan of building local stars all while spreading the sport in an area that desperately needs a sporting event to call their own. It remains to be seen what shape Aturto takes in the coming years but for now, their only hurdle is the open road.
