India, June 30 -- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is no longer a fringe phenomenon-it's one of India's fastest-growing sports. As athletes like Anshul Jubli and Puja Tomar make international waves, MMA is inching into the mainstream. But far from the spotlight, a quieter revolution has been unfolding in the country's Northeast. Here, the movement didn't arrive from abroad-it was built from scratch by hustlers, dreamers, and makeshift gyms. To understand how MMA gained ground, The Combat Academy (TCA) founder Khriemelie Metha and Bidang MMA & Fitness's Bhabajeet Choudhury talk to Travel + Leisure India & South Asia.

Fighting For A Dream Spar Wars (Photo Credit: Khriemelie Metha) Metha's journey began on his parents' bed, mimicking Jackie Chan a...