Disha Patani is one of the most famous actresses in India. She also appears to be a big MMA fan and was cageside at Matrix Fight Night 12 in Uttar Pradesh.
Patani was also in attendance at Matrix Fight Night 10. With 58.3 million followers on Instagram she is one of the most famous women in India and is currently filming two different Bollywood movies with another all wrapped up and ready to be released later this year.
She is clearly a busy women but found time in her schedule to attend the fights at the Noida Indoor Stadium:
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Angry Afghans
While fans wouldn’t have been shocked to see Patani in attendance the attendance of Abdul Azim Badakhshi would have raised a few eyebrows. He was photographed with his long term girlfriend Krishna Shroff, who also happens to be the Matrix Fight Night co-founder and matchmaker.
It is the first time the relationship between the two has been acknowledged by Matrix Fight Night. The issue is sensitive because Badakhshi has been banned for life from competing on the promotion’s fight cards.
He led a mob of angry Afghans who attacked Indian fighter Srikant Sekhar at Matrix Fight Night 9. Badakhshi allegedly broke the Indian fighter’s jaw.
In the aftermath of that incident Jackie Shroff, who happens to be Badakhshi’s girlfriend’s mother, announced that Afghans would be banned from competing on Matrix Fight Night cards.
The 28 year old has not competed since but was in attendance at a Matrix Fight Night event for the first time since the brawl:
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Second chance
Badakhshi was supposed to compete on a Road to UFC card earlier this year. But he pulled out of that tournament after being unable to secure a visa in time.
His appearance at Matrix Fight Night 12 could be seen as a sign that the promotion is ready to offer Badakhshi, and other Afghan fighters, a second chance. It is certainly unusual for a promotion to ban fighters from one country and would probably be illegal in a lot of countries.
His last fight was over a year ago. Badakhshi must surely be looking to get back in action this year and he will be hoping to have another opportunity to compete in his adopted home of India.
