The main event of Aturto 2.3, a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) event hosted at the Waii International Hotel in Itanagar, featured a majority decision victory over Kim Jun-Seok of Korea by Punyajit Likharu, who trains at the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai. “This victory is not just for me or my coaches; it is for the people of Arunachal and the Northeast,” Likharu said, dedicating his triumph to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast. For fighters like me, Aturto has given us an amazing platform that has helped MMA flourish and raise awareness of the sport. I’m hoping to fight in bigger promotions and represent India on a broader scale, as I have a professional record of five victories and one loss.
Originally hosted in Sango village, Aturto is an Arunachal-based mixed martial arts competition. It seeks to promote MMA in the area and provide local fighters a stage. The Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts of India (GAMMAI) has officially approved Aturto, the state’s first and only mixed martial arts competition, which was founded by Higio Tarak and Hage Omo. The occasion also brought attention to the difficulties that warriors encounter, such as emotional and financial stress. Ten fierce fights were held during the tournament, and competitors displayed their tenacity and resolve.
