Niharika Choudhary
Shillong, June 13: At just 23 years old, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Ribhalang Sun is rapidly establishing herself as one of Meghalaya’s most promising combat sports athletes. Training at Happy Red Rooster MMA in Shillong, the young fighter boasts an impressive undefeated record of nine wins and zero losses in her professional MMA career. Beyond her success in the cage, she has also represented the State at the national level in both MMA and wrestling, showcasing her dedication and versatility in combat sports.
Currently preparing for the 39th National Games to be held next year, her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Despite taking up the sport only around two years ago, she has already emerged as a well-known name on the MMA circuit, earning the sobriquet “Atom Bomb of the Cage”. Her achievements include back-to-back gold medals in wrestling at the 5th and 6th Meghalaya Games, a bronze medal at the Northeast Kickboxing Championship, a gold medal in MMA at the Shillong Cage Fighting Championship (SCFC), and the Atomweight Title Belt at the DFL MMA National Tournament 2026, among several other accolades. She was also the only female wrestler selected to represent Meghalaya at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games.
Ribhalang believes many people fail to recognize the effort behind every victory, with some even attributing her unbeaten run to luck. She, however, insists that years of discipline, sacrifice and relentless training have been the true foundation of her success. “Some people usually think that I’m a very lucky person when it comes to fighting, but what they don’t see is the hard work, sacrifices and training that happen behind the scenes,” she told Meghalaya Sports.
For Ribhalang, success has not come without challenges. As a woman competing in a physically demanding and traditionally male-dominated sport, she has often had to overcome barriers that extend beyond training and competition. Female athletes in combat sports frequently face social stereotypes, self-doubt and societal expectations that can discourage them from pursuing their ambitions.
According to her, there are times when training alongside male fighters can feel intimidating, while societal perceptions can create feelings of uncertainty about belonging in the sport. However, she believes that overcoming these obstacles is essential for growth and success.
“Being a woman in a combat sport is quite difficult because you face many challenges. There are days when you don’t feel confident enough to train with the guys, and there are days when you feel like you don’t belong because of what society says. You just have to overcome those challenges and keep moving forward,” she remarked.
Ribhalang emphasized that combat sports are not solely about physical strength. While fitness, endurance and technique are crucial, mental strength is equally important. Fighters must learn to remain calm under pressure, cope with setbacks, overcome fear and maintain discipline throughout their careers. She believes combat sports help women build confidence, resilience and self-belief – qualities that are valuable not only in competition but also in everyday life.
The young fighter also highlighted the financial difficulties faced by athletes in MMA. Despite the sport’s growing popularity, it is still not as widely recognized as many mainstream sports, making it difficult for athletes to secure sponsorships and financial support. The costs of training, equipment, nutrition and travel for competitions often place a heavy burden on fighters and their families.
She expressed hope that greater recognition of the sport will encourage increased support from the government and sports authorities. According to her, such assistance would allow talented athletes to focus on training and competition without the constant pressure of financial constraints.
Ribhalang also credited her family for playing a vital role in her journey. Their unwavering encouragement and support have helped her navigate the challenges of competitive sports and continue striving for excellence. With an impressive undefeated record and a growing list of achievements, Ribhalang is now training hard with her sights set on a podium finish at the 2027 National Games, which Meghalaya will co-host along with the other north-eastern states early next year.
