The common goal among most up-and-coming regional (or international) mixed martial arts (MMA) prospects is to one day compete for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Other major promotions such as Bellator MMA, Professional Fighter’s Leagues, and ONE Championship are not far behind. Literally, countless prospects across the globe are all working toward the same career goal, making it difficult to stand out in the sea of competition. As often as possible, MMAmania.com will highlight a different combat sports prospect to keep your eyes on.
Mansher Khera
Age: 32
Height: 5’10”
Weight class: Lightweight
Record: 7-0
Gym: Culture Fight Club/Tiger Schulmann’s MMA
The definition of prospect is very fluid because of a fighter’s age. While 32 is old for some people, it is typically the age at which fighters reach their prime—and for New York’s Mansher Khera, he is currently at the top of his game.
Khera was born in America but grew up in India. He was always a fan of martial arts, doing taekwondo and wrestling as a child, but he fell in love with MMA and combat sports when The Ultimate Fighter season one aired. When he moved back to America, he dove head-first into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), eventually receiving his black belt under Marcelo Garcia and becoming a world champion.
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Rich Burmaster/Fury FC 90
Khera made his professional MMA debut on Jan. 21, 2022, at Jorge Masvidal’s iKON FC 1, where he submitted Travis Floyd in the second round. (He fought a month prior at Gamebred Fighting Championship 3, a bare-knuckle MMA promotion, and won via first-round TKO.)
Khera has six finishes in his seven fights—all submission wins, four of them in the first round. There is no doubt that Khera has elite grappling, and that will lead him to many wins. He is improving his striking tremendously, which would make him a real problem to deal with.
In his last outing at Fury FC 90, he became the first person to finish fellow prospect Hector Saenz.
Mansher Khera taps Hector Saenz in the main event!#FuryFC90
pic.twitter.com/wj3kLvgzrm— Fury FC (@FuryFightingTX) May 13, 2024
Check out other highlights:
Some footage from @MansherKhera‘s most recent fight from this weekend.
2nd round submission win over Jonathan Martin. pic.twitter.com/i68uYPcNx2— BJJOversimplified (@BJJOvrsmplified) January 22, 2024
Mansher Khera taps Travis Floyd in his professional debut pic.twitter.com/S3AtuoocR7
— CFU (@justantherburn) May 21, 2024
Undefeated Mansher Khera finishes the arm triangle from half guard!@ShowtimePettis Presents:
[ #APFC1 | | on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/q4vWkYavkI
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 12, 2022
In addition to being a finisher, Khera has another big reason the UFC should consider him: He’s Indian. Only three Indians have fought in the UFC: Arjan Bhullar, Bharat Khandare, and Anshul Jubli. With such a gigantic market, it would honestly be stupid for the promotion to pass him up.
UFC is where Khera wants to be.
“I want to be in the UFC anyway possible,” Khera told MMAMania.com recently. “I’m gonna get to the UFC because I believe in myself, and I believe if I can get into UFC within the next year or two, I’ll crack the top 15. I’m 100% sure of my abilities. This is what I want to dedicate my time to. I’m gonna call my manager, and whatever the next step is, you know, whether it is the Contender Series or a short notice fight, whatever it is, I’m ready to go. I’m ready to challenge myself. And I’m ready to take these guys out in the first round.”
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