Nazareth "The Northstar" Lalthazuala is just getting started. The unbeaten Indian MMA fighter returns to action on June 5 at ONE Friday Fights 157, taking on the Philippines' Jhon Brutas in a strawweight MMA clash.
The 25-year-old from Dojang MMA has been one of the most exciting young prospects to emerge from India in recent years. Lalthazuala announced himself to the world with a knockout of Masaki Suzuki in 2025 before returning in February 2026 to submit Philippines' Jake Bron in the second round.
His 7-0 MMA record with four finishes and a perfect 2-0 ONE record tell the story of a fighter who has hit the ground running on the global stage. That second victory held a special significance for the young Indian star, and he was not shy about expressing what it meant to him.
"I was very happy because it was my first submission victory in professional career. I am a complete fighter, and I work really hard to improve every day," he said.
Now, with two ONE victories under his belt and his confidence at an all-time high, Lalthazuala is hungry for more. The opportunity to test himself against the best in the world on a regular basis is what drives him, and he has a clear sense of purpose heading into his third promotional outing.
"I am very excited. I want to fight tough fighters on the global stage and make India proud," he added.
Standing across from him will be Brutas, a Filipino fighter making his promotional debut. The debutant arrives as a strong grappler, a quality that Lalthazuala has taken seriously in his preparations. But the Indian star believes he has already identified the blueprint for victory.
"My opponent is a strong grappler, but I am ready for him. I know his weaknesses, and I will expose them in the ring," he said.
For all the preparation that has gone into this fight, Lalthazuala wants fans to know that the entertainment factor is just as high on his priority list as the result.
"I am a complete fighter. I can fight both on the ground and in the stand-up game. I am dangerous everywhere. The fans will be entertained," he explained.
Catch ONE Friday Fights 157 live on Star Sports Select 2 and JioHotstar at 7:00 p.m. IST.
Instagram Post
Leave a comment
Please login to leave a comment.