ABU DHABI – [autotag]Anshul Jubli[/autotag] put Indian MMA on the map in a big way after winning “Road to UFC” and he’s only getting started.
Jubli (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his TKO finish of Jeka Saragih to win the “Road to UFC” lightweight tournament in February.
With already close to half a million followers on Instagram, unbeaten Jubli has been getting a big push from back home. He is one of only two Indian UFC fighters currently signed to the roster.
“The reception was huge,” Jubli told MMA Junkie. “After I won ‘Road to UFC,’ people are now believing that we can go in the UFC, perform, win and become a champion. We’re not just saying India is here, India is in the UFC – we’re growing. We’re coming. We have a second fighter, Puja Tomar, in the UFC now.
“She’s a great fighter, a fabulous fighter. You will see her killing all these girls in the division very soon, and now I believe you’ll see in just one, two years, there are so many fighters coming up. I know a few fighters who are about to sign to the UFC, but I won’t disclose it. We are here, and we are going to rule.”
Jubli meets Mike Breeden (10-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 294 prelims at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.
He’s eyeing another finish as he looks to kickstart a run in the UFC’s stacked lightweight division.
“I won this tournament. I proved I’m one of the best in Asia. Now it’s time to prove I’m the best in the world,” Jubli said. “In a few years, I’ll be the best in the world and Mike Breedan is in front of me. I’m going to go there, finish Mike Breedan, win this fight, and after that, next step.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.