The cage will return to Arunachal Pradesh’s capital on August 22 as homegrown mixed martial arts promotion ATURTO prepares to stage its 11th event, with two Flyweight Grand Prix semi-finals set to headline the fight card.
ATURTO 4.2 will be held at the Artisan-cum-Handicrafts Exhibition Centre in Chimpu. The main event will feature Lalngaihawma against Diyo Rimo, while Lian Nun will face Limasunep Imchen in the co-main event.
The two semi-finals carry added importance for the fighters, with the winners earning places in the Flyweight Grand Prix final scheduled to be held in December. The bouts are therefore expected to play a key role in determining the next stage of the tournament.
The main card will also feature Chinglemba Ningomba against Yumter Tapodia, Amit Amaurya versus Fahad Khan and Rahul Thakuri against Darren Kharshandy.
Five additional bouts have been lined up for the undercard. Vikash Gupta will take on Kenjo Lollen, Thoidingjam Goroba will meet Biri Nikum, Sajal Chaudhary will face Reri Dedu, Narang Napa will fight Lamgu Nilo, while Bubul Taid will take on Miding Pada.
While the August 22 event will bring together fighters for a competitive night of MMA, ATURTO’s founders say the promotion has a larger objective of creating opportunities for fighters in Arunachal Pradesh and beyond.
ATURTO co-founder Higio Taarak said the promotion was started at a time when mixed martial arts was still developing in Arunachal Pradesh and financial limitations made it difficult for some fighters to pursue professional opportunities.
“We had financial restraints initially, as MMA was new in Arunachal,” Taarak said.
The financial challenges faced by fighters helped shape the promotion’s approach. Unlike platforms where competitors may have to pay registration charges, ATURTO does not charge fighters an entry fee.
“There’s no registration fee for the fighters. We invest in our fighters rather,” Taarak said.
According to him, the promotion is not only focused on building its own identity but also on helping fighters gain visibility and develop connections that could lead to sponsorships and opportunities with larger promotions.
“Through ATURTO, we wanted people to know about our fighters. They dedicate their life to this, training all day and improving their skills,” he said.
“Our motive is to connect the fighters, so people know them, connect to them and they get more sponsors. It’s not only ATURTO; we want them to get more opportunities ahead.”
ATURTO was founded by Taarak and Hage Omo in 2023 following discussions at a local MMA gym. The name ATURTO means “Be Strong” in Nyishi.
Since its formation, the promotion has staged 10 events over three years and has gradually expanded its reach, bringing fighters from different parts of India to compete in Arunachal Pradesh.
The founders are now looking to build a sustainable professional MMA circuit in the state, providing local fighters with regular opportunities to compete and gain experience.
The promotion has already produced an example of how such opportunities can lead to bigger stages. Nazareth, who competed twice under the ATURTO banner, later signed with ONE Championship, one of the major global combat sports organisations.
For ATURTO, the August 22 event is therefore another step in its effort to develop MMA in Arunachal Pradesh. Along with determining the two finalists for the Flyweight Grand Prix, the event will provide another platform for fighters to gain exposure and compete without the added burden of entry fees.
As the promotion prepares for its 11th event, its organisers remain focused on creating a pathway for fighters to develop their careers, build recognition and eventually move to larger national and international competitions.