Shillong, June 30: It was a night charged with emotion and history in Mawkasiang as Meghalaya’s pioneering mixed martial artist, Johnny Nongrum, brought the curtain down on his decorated career in dramatic style.
The 36-year-old clinched his 100th professional victory in what was his final fight, defeating six-time national champion Anurag Singh of Uttarakhand via TKO in the headline bout of the inaugural Shillong Cage Fighting Championship on Saturday night.
The fight, held at the Lariti Multipurpose Theatre, marked the end of a decade-long journey for Nongrum, one of the Northeast’s most accomplished combat athletes. “To end it here, in front of my people, with my 100th win—it’s everything I dreamed of,” Nongrum said, fighting back tears during his post-fight interview.
With a new chapter on the horizon, Nongrum announced his transition from fighter to coach. “This sport has given me so much. Now it’s my turn to give back,” he said. He vowed to dedicate himself to mentoring upcoming fighters from Meghalaya and the wider Northeast region, emphasizing the untapped potential that lies in the hills. “We have the talent. All that’s missing is the right structure and support,” he added.
The championship was also graced by key dignitaries, including Sports Minister Shakliar Warjri and Health Minister Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh. A total prize pool of ₹5 lakh was distributed among the winners.
The champions from the Shillong Cage Fighting Championship were: Nazareth Lalthazuala, Liannun Suantak, Donbok Nongrum, Lalnunsanga, Lalmangaihzuala, Jitesh Sarkar, Angel Patil, and Rishanskhem Ripon in the Flyweight category; David Chhangte and Darren Kharshandy in the Bantamweight division; Johnny Nongrum in Middleweight; Ribhalang Sunn in Atomweight; and Ronald Khyriem along with Synrop Wahlang in the Strawweight category.
