Competing against the numerous other events
happening around this time of the year, Combat Cage Fight Night – Goa’s first
mixed martial arts (MMA) entertainment fight experience is debuting this
season. Twelve highly skilled ferocious MMA fighters from across the country
will go head to head in a six-bout contest that is sure to test their physical
as well as mental endurance for a shot at winning the title. Adding to this
excitement is the fact that two Goan fighters – renowned professional boxer
Sonia Parab and MMA fighter Nelson Paes – will be seen competing for the title.
While Fight Night is scheduled to take place at Tito’s Courtyard in Baga on December 21, weigh-ins will be held at Mambo’s on December 20. To ensure the optimum physical and mental fitness levels, Sonia and Nelson, along with few other fighters from around across the world, are undergoing a grueling workout session at Tiger’s Boxing School in Chapora training under Italian coach Fabrizio Petroni.
The fighters have been practising twice every day – six days in a week. Fabrizio says, “To become an MMA fighter you need to learn at least some technique on ground and a good standing position like in Muay Thai or boxing. With Sonia, we are trying to focus on improving the existing strength of strong punches. She needs to improve on kicks and takedown. The opponent that she is going to fight is a boxer as well. I am not fond of long distance running; the training that I am giving her is more specific of what she needs. We are focusing more on speed and endurance.”
The trainee-coach duo of Sonia and Fabrizio have a minor challenge ahead of the debut Fight Night. Fabrizio explains, “Naturally, Sonia weighs 46 kilos. The minimum category that she plans to fight in requires her to be 50 kg. However, after working on her diet regime and training, she now weighs is 47.8 kg. I hope to be able to bring her to at least 49 kg in the next few days that we have.” Speaking about Nelson, the coach adds, “I have been working with Nelson for the past few months and he has shown improvement in all the areas. When we first started, he did not know how to punch. Now, his punches are really strong. His Muay Thai skills, along with grapping and Brazilian Jujitsu techniques, have improved a lot.”
While Nelson is confident about his preparedness for the tournament, he is eyeing at finishing his bout as soon as possible. Nelson says, “I am very strong at my stand up and at my ground as well. I have every opportunity to finish the fight as soon as possible. I have trained very hard for this tournament.” On the other hand, Sonia feels that stamina and power are her strengths and she can keep going till about seven rounds in one go. On a concluding note, Sonia says, “I am working on my speed and I will attack my opponent with punches as well as kicks. She better watch out!”