Four Nepali fighters out to spoil India’s party at ECS II

The atmosphere is set to crackle with energy as four Nepali mixed martial arts fighters prepare to face Indian opponents at the second edition of the Elite Contender Series (ECS) in Kolkata on June 27. Known for intensifying rivalries and amplifying crowd noise, bouts between Nepali and Indian fighters always bring a unique fervor to the cage.

Representing Nepal are Asbeen Chhetri, Gokul Khadka, and Nabaraj Parajuli from Lock n Roll MMA, alongside Sunil Pun from Pokhara. They will compete at the Biswa Bangla Exhibition Centre in New Town. Khadka and Parajuli are making a return to the ECS, having participated in the promotion's inaugural event in March, which also featured Nepali fighter Samar Aryal in the main event.

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My opponent is from Nepal. He is a good fighter and I respect him. Sunil, this message is for you. Be prepared…I am here to smash you.

In the first edition, Pun was initially slated for the main event but had to withdraw due to a training injury, being replaced by Aryal. The results for Nepali fighters in the first ECS were mixed: Khadka's fight ended in a draw, Aryal's main event bout was a 'no contest,' while Parajuli secured a TKO victory. For ECS II, Pun is matched against Devgun Marandi, who was Aryal's opponent in the first edition's main event. Marandi issued a direct challenge to Pun, stating, "Sunil, this message is for you. Be prepared…I am here to smash you." Pun responded with equal confidence, vowing, "He says he will smash me. But before that, I will knock him out."

Chhetri will face Indresh Uniyal, and Khadka is scheduled to fight Roshan. Parajuli's opponent is yet to be announced by ECS. The event promises a packed schedule with 50 fights across two cages. The Nepali contingent has already arrived in Kolkata, with weigh-ins completed on Friday, setting the stage for Saturday's fights.

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He says he will smash me. But before that, I will knock him out.