Thinley Namgay   

For decades, Bhutan has not been able to enter the world of mixed martial arts (MMA).

The country’s first MMA fighter, Tsheltrim Rabgyel, broke the deadlock and proved that with a strong mentality, hard work, determination, and consistency, nothing is impossible. 

Tsheltrim Rabgyel, 29, is from Pemagatshel and currently lives in Ontario, Canada, where he has been living since he was 14. 

He was interested in combat sports early on. It has not been a long time since he took up MMA training.   

Coaches helped him, but more than that, his hard work, determination, and consistency made his dream a reality.

Nowadays, he is also engaging in wrestling, jiu jitsu, and kickboxing training. 

Tsheltrim’s MMA journey was also inspired by his father. From a young age, he saw his father staying fit and working hard for his family. Although he was problematic as a child, his father never gave up on him thinking that his son would change one day. 

His family always supported him. 

Tsheltrim Rabgyel said: “ I always wanted to be a fighter. I was always fighting and getting in trouble as a child.  I think I was a born fighter. When I took seriously with martial arts, I stopped fighting outside.”

Tsheltrim Rabgyel aims to become a pro MMA fighter next year

Today, MMA gym has become his second home and his teammates his second family. 

From the age of eight to 13, Tsheltrim got into taekwondo, which he said complemented his striking ability as an MMA fighter.    

Like many children across the globe, Tsheltrim was also inspired by martial arts experts such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

His maiden MMA fight was against Canada-based Phil Tran during the Boy Fight Night held in Canada, in November last year.  He won the game following the split decision in the third round.   

He hopes to be a pro-MMA fighter by next year.  He must compete in at least 10 to 15 amateur fights. 

Tsheltrim is glad that he became the first MMA fighter from Bhutan. 

“I am the first one from Bhutan, but won’t be the last one, because Bhutanese are tough people,” Tsheltrim said, adding that he wished one day open an MMA gym in  Bhutan and give the youth an opportunity. 

Besides MMA fights, he also contested in two taekwondo, four wushu sanda,  and more than  20 jiu-jitsu matches.

Tsheltrim trains for around four hours daily. He spends an hour each for kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, rolling, and lifting weights.

Even his son trains four times a week.

Participating in MMA comes with a fair share of challenges, of course.  Tsheltrim said one must undergo injurious process, and cutting weight before the tournament is difficult as one cannot eat or drink a day before the fight.  And there is the match pressure.

“We have many Bhutanese living abroad, especially youth.  If they train in MMA and take their skills back to Bhutan, MMA will be developed within a decade,” Tsheltrim said.

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