Itanagar: In the high-altitude town of Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh, a sport long considered fringe is staging a dramatic comeback.
ATURTO, the state’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) platform, is set to launch its third official season with a major event on April 26 — the seventh overall since its inception in 2022.
Dubbed “Dirang Dominance,” the tournament will be held at the Dirang Multipurpose Hall in West Kameng district and will inaugurate ATURTO’s most ambitious endeavor yet: a Featherweight Grand Prix carrying a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a championship belt.
“This is more than just a tournament,” said Higio Tarak, ATURTO’s CEO, during a press briefing on Monday at the Arunachal Press Club in Itanagar. “We want to take MMA deeper into the districts and make it part of Arunachal’s identity.”
The new season will be structured across three events, with the April edition serving as the quarterfinals. The semifinals are slated for September, and the championship bout is scheduled for December, though final locations have not been disclosed.
ATURTO’s rapid growth reflects both the rising popularity of MMA across India and a grassroots push to establish a combat sports ecosystem in the remote Northeast. From a single event in Itanagar in 2022, the organization has expanded to include fight nights in Ziro, Pasighat, and Namsai. In 2024, it reportedly crossed over 300,000 online views — a milestone for a regional promotion.
The 68.5 kg featherweight division debut will feature eight professional fighters, including four from India’s Northeast. Among them is Neitso Angami, an undefeated K1 Kumite Champion representing TCA Nagaland; Niranjan Singh, a decorated GAMMA Asian Gold and World Bronze medalist; and Krishna Payasi, fighting out of Team Relentless Mumbai.
Representing the home state, Kon Jarbin will make his professional debut after climbing through ATURTO’s amateur and semi-pro ranks.
“This season will be our boldest yet,” said Nyato Mosing, ATURTO’s vice oresident of pre-production. VP of operations Dhananjay Morang also confirmed that ATURTO is in advanced talks with the state’s Department of Youth Affairs to formalize a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at developing combat sports infrastructure and athlete pipelines.
As MMA continues to gain mainstream traction across India, ATURTO’s homegrown circuit is increasingly positioning itself as a launchpad for regional talent — and perhaps a cultural movement in the making.
The April 26 event will open gates at 4 p.m. Tickets can be reserved by calling +91 81319 89980 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Further details are available on www.aturtomma.com.
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