Mizo mixed martial artist Nazareth Lalthazuala Hmar has become the first athlete from Mizoram to earn a contract with ONE Championship after a victory at ONE Friday Fights 157 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 25-year-old fighter defeated Jhon Brutus of the Philippines and was awarded a US$100,000 contract with the global combat sports promotion. He also received a performance bonus of 35,000 Thai Baht for his display inside the ring.
Born on January 1, 2001, in Zemabawk, Mizoram, Nazareth rose from humble beginnings, reportedly working as a vegetable seller and commercial vehicle driver before pursuing a career in combat sports. He began his sporting journey in boxing in 2022 before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
Nazareth made his professional MMA debut in November 2024 at the BWC: Rising Warriors Charity Event in Uganda, where he defeated Farouk Ogwal. He later joined ONE Championship and made a successful debut at ONE Friday Fights 135 in November 2025 with a first-round victory over Japan’s Masaki Suzuki.
The undefeated fighter now holds an 8-0 professional record. A three-time national flyweight MMA champion, Nazareth has also won multiple kickboxing medals, including an international gold medal, and secured a bronze medal in Wushu at the 2025 National Games.
Nazareth trains under coach Manas Daimary at Dojang MMA & Fitness Studio in Guwahati, Assam. His latest achievement marks a significant milestone for Mizoram and Indian mixed martial arts on the international stage.
