Sports Trumpet exclusive interview with MFN fighter Jojo Rajkumari

Jojo Rajkumari: My career started at a local Manipuri event and I haven’t looked back since

Jojo Rajkumari foray into Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) began with kickboxing in 2007. With a family that wasn’t well off financially and a sport that’s more physical than most, she did not get much support at home till she started bagging medals at state-level competitions.

Her first tryst with MMA came at a tournament in Imphal. Since turning professional, she competes in the Manipur Fight League and boasts a 2-1 win-loss record.

Hailing from Moirang Phiyongbam Leikai Part-II in Manipur, the 24-year-old is set to take part in the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) 9 that’s being held in New Delhi on June 24. She is scheduled to fight Mary Jane Buna in the Straw Weight Category.

She has her eyes set on the upcoming bout and has been working hard every day to get better.

“I want to improve on my striking for my next fight. I’m putting more emphasis on it and that’s why I’m training with Muay Thai professionals,” she explains.

MFN is India’s biggest Mixed-Martial Arts event, and held its first event in March 2019, in Mumbai. Events have since been held in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Dubai. Joining MFN has been a game-changer for the Manipuri girl.

“My whole world has changed after I join MFN, it is the best and they take very good care of their fighters,” Jojo says.

Her focus during her bouts is always on getting the results and doesn’t have any favourite move that she falls back on.

“I don’t have any favourite move when it comes to striking or submission. I look for any opportunity or opening during my fights and I go in for the kill.”

While Jojo’s role models in MMA are Angela Seung Ju Lee and Conor McGregor, her biggest inspiration is her late brother who passed away in July 2019. Becoming a professional fighter was a life-long dream of hers and one she intends to make the most of.