Chungreng Koren Triumphs in Road to UFC, Earning Spot in Next Round

Koren's Impressive Victory

Chungreng Koren, recognized as the 'Indian Rhino' in the mixed martial arts arena, achieved a significant victory over Japan’s Ryuho Miyaguchi through a second-round submission during an opening-round match at Road to UFC. This remarkable performance marked Koren as only the second Indian, following Anshul Jubli, to advance past the first round of the RTUFC tournament. Jubli, now part of the UFC Lightweight roster, previously clinched the Lightweight title in season 1, and Koren's success has sparked hopes among Indian fans for a similar outcome.

Koren's Journey to RTUFC

The path to the UFC has been challenging for the Manipuri athlete. He came close to qualifying for the UFC's Asia-Pacific talent pipeline in 2025, but contractual complications hindered his participation in this premier MMA event. His situation worsened a month later when he lost the Matrix Fight Night bantamweight title to Nepal's Rabindra Dhant, a defeat many considered a significant setback that could have jeopardized his career.

Despite this, the 28-year-old demonstrated his resilience by overcoming these challenges. After Shin You-min's withdrawal, Koren was fortunate to be selected as a backup fighter for Road to UFC Season 5 in Macau. Seizing this opportunity, the former MFN Bantamweight Champion showcased his skills against a formidable opponent in Ryuho Miyaguchi. Koren, known for his aggressive wrestling style, maintained pressure throughout the first round, keeping the Japanese fighter pinned against the cage and on the mat. In the second round, after a strong start with striking, Koren took Miyaguchi down again. Despite Ryuho's attempts to withstand Koren's powerful strikes, he ultimately tapped out due to a tight rear naked choke, propelling Koren into the next round of the tournament. In his post-fight interview, Koren dedicated his victory to India.