In a historic moment for Nepali mixed martial arts, Rabindra Dhant delivered a stunning second-round knockout victory at the Galaxy Arena on Thursday, moving just one step closer to securing a coveted UFC contract.
Dhant, widely known as the “Bajhang ko Bagh” (Tiger of Bajhang), defeated Kimbert Alintozon of the Philippines via KO/TKO due to a barrage of precise punches in the bantamweight quarterfinal of the Road to UFC Season 5. The referee stepped in to halt the contest at the 4:37 mark of the second round.
Turning the Tide in the Second Round
The fight began with both prospects testing the waters. Alintozon, who stepped in on short notice after Australia’s Matty Iann withdrew due to a knee injury, attempted to close the distance early. Dhant, relying on his deep karate and striking background, kept his composure through a competitive first round.
By the second round, Dhant’s conditioning and power began to overwhelm his Filipino opponent. Spotting an opening late in the round, the 27-year-old Nepali fighter unleashed a devastating combination of strikes against the fence. A final series of unanswered punches forced the referee to stop the bout, sealing a monumental win for Nepal.
From Manual Laborer to the Cusp of UFC History
Dhant’s victory is the latest chapter in one of the most inspiring underdog stories in combat sports. Hailing from a remote village in the Bitthadchir Rural Municipality of Bajhang, Dhant migrated to India at age 16 for work, spending years handling manual labor, cleaning offices, and serving tea. He balanced long working hours with grueling early-morning karate and MMA training.
After rising through regional amateur circuits and dominating the Indian National Amateur MMA Championship, Dhant caught the eye of Kathmandu-based coach Diwiz Piya Lama. Under the banner of Lock N Roll MMA and Soma Fight Club, Dhant’s career skyrocketed.
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September 2023: Became the first Nepali fighter to win a bout in ONE Championship (defeating Russia’s Torepchi Dongak).
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August 2025: Won the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) Bantamweight Championship by knocking out defending champion Chungreng Koren.
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May 2026: Becomes the first Nepali athlete to compete—and win—on a Road to UFC platform.
What’s Next for the “Tiger of Bajhang”?
With this dominant performance, Dhant advances directly to the tournament semifinals. He is now only two victories away from making history as the first-ever Nepali athlete to sign a professional UFC contract.
In the semifinal round, Dhant is slated to face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between the undefeated prospects Yunosuke Minami of Japan and Kasib Murdoch of New Zealand.