Do something different this weekend, attend this action-packed live combat in Navi Mumbai

The fights will include sports like kickboxing

Have you ever imagined yourself in a ring, shuffling your weight from one leg to another, looking directly and fiercely into the eyes of your opponent? Your trainer is yelling strategies at you amidst the wild roar of an audience who are as charged up as yourself. Very WWE-like, isn't it? If these are the kind of events that give you the much-needed adrenaline rush, especially towards the end of a drab, mundane month, we have just the thing for you to attend over the weekend.

Wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu, among others

"The technical term for fights like these is bouts," shares Sanjivan Padwal, founder of Mixed Martial Arts training centre Fit and Fight Club, and promoter of Warrior's Dream Series (WDS) 5 which is set to take place this Sunday. The series witnesses bouts between trained fighters from across the country. With over 100 participants - from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Palghar, among other locations - and more than 500 expected as audience, the fights will be divided into two categories: pro bouts and amateur bouts. While pro bouts will feature fighters with at least over two years of professional experience in fighting, the amateurs will feature fighters who have just started out.

Vrinda Bhagchandani

"The fighters have already chosen the technique they will use to fight. These include kickboxing, wrestling, Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. There will be a total of seven pro fighters, including Gagan Pal Singh and Zaid Shaikh - also the main events - in the heavyweight bouts. The day-long event will feature 15 women, too. While four of them will be a part of a tournament where the last woman standing will be declared the winner, the others will participate in single amateur fights, where they are required to fight only one opponent over three rounds.

Sunday's event will feature bouts between professional and amateur fighters

Stand-up comic Vrinda Bhagchandani will be among the amateur fighters participating in a kickboxing bout. "A fighter is no less than an artist who requires both mental and physical presence to come up with some of the best combinations. I believe that this is one of the best platforms for any fighter to showcase their talent. The adrenaline rush you feel inside the cage is truly unmatched," shares the comic, who is also a part of the Fit and Fight Club.

Sanjivan Padwal

"WDS was established in December 2020 in the city, with the aim to provide a platform for both amateur and professional MMA artists in the country. The primary goal is to give talented Indian fighters the opportunity to gain valuable experience and build their confidence before venturing into the international arena," Padwal concludes, adding that along with track record of having fought in the WDS, which is an essential part for the fighters, they are provided access to nutritious food, medical facilities and accommodation. Fighters will also receive medals and certificates as they progress through the competition.

On: July 30; 8 am to 10 pm
At: Fit and Fight Club, Fourth floor, Sector 19 A, Bhanushali Wadi, Nehru Road, Nerul East, Navi Mumbai
Log on to: @warriors_dream_series