In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, Shaikh Khalid, the head coach of the MMA India team, shared his journey from a passionate martial arts enthusiast to one of the key figures in India’s MMA landscape. He also reflected on the lack of awareness and infrastructure for MMA in Hyderabad
Shaikh Khalid, the head coach of the MMA India team, has been an influential figure in the growth of mixed martial arts (MMA) in India. His journey into the sport began in his childhood when he was captivated by martial arts movies, particularly those starring Mithun Chakraborty.
Despite his growing passion, Khalid’s parents, like most, wanted him to focus on academics. But his love for martial arts only intensified, eventually leading him to make the bold decision to leave school and train full-time. He started his martial arts journey with Indian mud wrestling before transitioning to Karate, where he trained for nearly eight years. Over time, he also picked up Judo, Muay Thai and Kickboxing, participating in several national-level competitions. However, it was Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) that truly sparked a transformative change in his career.
“Shaik Khalid, based in Hyderabad, India, is a highly accomplished martial artist and MMA coach with 24 years of experience. As an IMMAF Black Belt and one of the world’s top 10 MMA coaches, he has dedicated his career to shaping the future of Indian MMA. Khalid is the founder and head coach of TAMMA and serves as Joint Secretary and Board Director of MMA India, playing a pivotal role in the sport’s development nationwide.
Leading one of India’s most dominant MMA teams-known as the “House of Champions” —Shaik Khalid has consistently guided his fighters to remarkable success. His team is a top contender at national events, frequently securing top-three rankings and clinching first-place finishes multiple times. Under his leadership, the team has produced numerous national and international champions, including gold medalists at the IMMAF World and Asian Championships.
Since 2015, Khalid has represented India in various IMMAF events as a coach and not long ago, as an official Cutman after completing the IMMAF Cutman course in 2024. His debut as a Cutman at the MMA India National Championship 2025 showcased his versatility and commitment to the sport.
Recognised with the MMA India Best Coach Award for 2023-2024, Shaik Khalid continues to lead and inspire, cementing his legacy as a driving force in Indian MMA.
For Khalid, MMA is more than just a physical sport. “MMA isn’t just about fitness or fighting—it builds discipline, resilience, and self-defense skills,” he explains. It’s precisely these aspects of the sport that motivated him to make MMA more accessible to people, especially in a region where awareness of the sport was still limited. Being a proud Hyderabadi, Khalid takes immense pride in his city’s growth and transformation over the years. “We are a generation that has witnessed tremendous development in the city. We’ve seen everything grow—from infrastructure to the attitude of people. The ‘Nawaabi’ vibe that once defined Hyderabad is now more educated, and people are participating in sports.” However, he also notes some challenges in the local promotion of MMA. “Compared to other states, there’s not much awareness of MMA in Hyderabad and Telangana. Other states conduct several MMA events, but that’s not the case here,” he adds. Despite this, he acknowledges the role that social media has played in increasing awareness of MMA. “I would say that social media’s credit is 70% for the growth of MMA,” he affirms, recognizing the potential of online platforms to spread knowledge about the sport.
Khalid also shares a lighthearted reflection on the Hyderabadi approach to work. “Hyderabadi’s never do their work on the same day and try to do it by the time,” he laughs. “We wait a lot for the time. I believe this could also be a reason why MMA is not much promoted or recognized here. Everyone thinks they’ll do it at some point, but not right now.”
Despite these challenges, there are aspects of Hyderabad that Khalid misses dearly when traveling. “One thing I always miss is the ‘sukoon’, the ‘apnapan’ and the culture. It’s something we don’t find in other places,” he says with affection. He also shares his fondness for the local cuisine, although he notes that the city’s food culture is evolving. “Over time, there’s been a shift from Biryani to Mandi. The Hyderabadi way of eating food and a lot of things have changed,” he reflects, noting that there’s now a variety of food options available in the city.
Khalid’s concerns extend beyond just MMA; he believes there’s a lack of support for sports in Hyderabad. “In other states, MPs and MLAs, no matter which party they belong to, put their best efforts into supporting sports. But in Hyderabad, I haven’t seen anyone step forward to provide that kind of support,” he observes. This lack of infrastructure and government backing is something that affects all sports, not just MMA. “Many of the stadiums are in poor condition. Take LB Stadium, for instance—it has been around since the time of the Nizams, but today it’s in a pathetic state,” he laments. Khalid emphasises that proper development is needed to bring sports in Hyderabad up to par with other states and countries. “If youngsters get into sports, they won’t fall into bad habits,” he adds.
On the global stage, MMA continues to gain recognition. Khalid points out that MMA has even been included in the Youth Asian Games, a feat that many are unaware of. “Recently, MMA was included in the Youth Asian Games, but not many people are aware of it. It doesn’t even include Karate, but it includes MMA,” he points out. As someone who has represented India as a coach in about 14 countries, Khalid has witnessed firsthand the immense support and infrastructure these nations provide to their athletes. “The infrastructure and support from governments abroad are immense, but here in Hyderabad, it’s almost nonexistent,” he says, highlighting the disparity in sports development between India and other countries.
Despite these challenges, Khalid remains hopeful about the future of MMA and sports in Hyderabad. He believes that if the sport receives proper support and recognition, it can help shape the future of many young individuals. “There’s a saying in Lucknow—‘Muskuraiye, aap Lucknow mein hain,’” Khalid smiles. “Similarly, I would say for Hyderabad, ‘Hyderabad aaye aur yahan ki Biryani aur chai zaroor pee ke jaayein.’ I love Hyderabad,” he concludes, proudly reiterating his deep connection to his city.
