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.
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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!”
