Ever wondered how Anshul Jubli, the “King of Lions,” is handling his first career hiccup? Well, Siddharth Singh, his coach, isn’t sweating it. He’s seen Jubli bounce back before, fiercer than ever.
Putting India on the MMA map wasn’t easy, but Jubli did just that. Winning the Road to UFC tournament was a big deal. Then came UFC 294 last October. Facing Mike Breeden, Jubli was ahead until a third-round technical knockout flipped the script.
That loss? It was a first for Jubli, stirring whispers about its impact on his mindset. Yet, Singh has witnessed Jubli’s resilience firsthand. He’s not worried.
Singh, who runs Crosstrain Fight Club in New Delhi, knows the drill. He’s confident Jubli will return to the Octagon hungrier and more polished.
Singh shared with Sherdog’s David Andrew, “Yeah, it’s been a journey. The UFC call, the tournament, facing defeat for the first time—it was all new to us.”
Despite the setback in the third round at UFC 294, Singh saw it as part of the fight game. Life throws punches, and you learn. Jubli’s response? Training harder, showing an unmatched hunger and dedication.
“Never lost before,” Singh mused. “Not in amateur fights, not as a pro. But losses in the gym? Sure. Like that local jiu-jitsu tournament. Every loss fuels him more.”
Jubli’s recent bout had its quirks. His opponent, Breeden, missed weight by 3.5 pounds. Singh found it unprofessional but pulling out was never on the table. Fighting is in their blood.
Representing India on such a stage was too big an opportunity to pass up, regardless of the opponent’s weight mishap. They were there to fight, to win, to showcase their heart.
Rumors swirled about an April 27 UFC Fight Night bout against Maheshate Hayisaer. But Jubli has clarified—no fight’s been scheduled yet. The journey continues, with or without a set date.