French rising MMA fighter Florian Coudier and Indian MMA icon Sangram Singh faced off at the Buenos Aires Arena on Saturday ahead of their fight scheduled for April 5.
While Sangram Singh appeared calm, Florian displayed notable enthusiasm. Florian stated he would not allow Sangram to stay in front of him for long, having studied videos of Sangram’s MMA bouts and been briefed by his support team on Sangram’s weaknesses.
The 83-kg fight is set to take place at 6:20 pm local time on Sunday, corresponding to around 3 am Indian time on Monday. The Indian Ambassador to Argentina is also expected to attend the event, according to a press release.
Sangram Singh, a double Commonwealth heavyweight champion, said he does not believe in boasting. As the first Indian to fight in combat sports in Argentina, he feels a significant responsibility and wishes to avoid statements that may harm the country’s reputation. He expressed respect for both his opponent and the sport, adding, “A champion is not one who wins, a champion is one who constantly strives.” Prior to his previous MMA fights in Georgia and Amsterdam, Sangram similarly refrained from making bold claims and achieved success with relative ease in both bouts.
Until recently, Sangram’s greatest challenge was the limited information available about Florian. His current challenge is managing his weight; he has gained slightly, surpassing the two-kilogram tolerance by approximately 100 grams. To address this, he limited his water intake to half a glass from Saturday morning until night and spent significant time sweating with his coach Bhupesh at La Macao Fitness Centre. Sangram stated he would eat a traditional churma laddu brought from home only after making weight.
Reports indicate that Maharshi Dayanand University professors conducted a Hawan ceremony in Amex City, Rohtak, and that similar ceremonies are taking place in over ten locations across India to support Sangram’s success in the fight.
The fight is organised by Samurai Fight House, marking Sangram Singh’s third MMA bout. Having transitioned from clay-to-mattress wrestling to MMA, Sangram described participation in SFH28 in Argentina as a matter of pride and the largest platform of his career, where he aims to make every Indian proud.
In the days leading up to the fight in Buenos Aires, Sangram practised yoga to maintain body flexibility. Under coach Bhupesh Kumar’s supervision, he combined traditional and modern techniques with his sparring partner. Coach Bhupesh reported focusing on transition, ground control, striking combinations, adaptation to conditions, and fitness. Significant improvements were noted, especially in kickboxing and the application of locking and choking techniques, which are crucial following wrestling camps.
The fight comprises three rounds of five minutes each, requiring endurance and conditioning—areas that have received considerable attention. Sangram prepared extensively with a seven-member support staff across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi prior to arriving in Buenos Aires. He remarked, “Every moment with coach Bhupesh sir in the practice ring and gym has taken me to a new level,” emphasising deepened understanding of MMA nuances.
Sangram Singh is a former Commonwealth heavyweight champion, a Fit India icon and brand ambassador of the Government of India. He has competed internationally in Greco-Roman wrestling at the national camp level, later transitioning to professional wrestling and now undertaking his third MMA fight, complementing his roles as actor, model, and motivational speaker.