(President)
Nikhil Kunder brings over 19 years of experience in the fitness industry and holds an MBA in Marketing. He has been actively involved in Mixed Martial Arts since 2014 and has contributed significantly to the sport’s development at both competitive and grassroots levels in India.
As a coach, he has consistently produced national champions, with many of his athletes going on to compete at prestigious international events. Known for his structured and disciplined approach, he focuses on long-term athlete development and building strong, well-prepared fight teams. Nikhil is deeply committed to supporting grassroots MMA. He has created pathways for young, aspiring fighters from across the country to access quality training and competition opportunities. His work has helped shape a more organised and sustainable MMA ecosystem in India. Outside the sport, he runs a facility management company founded in 2016, which employs over 900 people across Maharashtra. Through his work, both in business and sport, Nikhil remains focused on developing talent and strengthening the foundation of Indian MMA.
(General Secretary)
Mr. Jitendra Khare is one of the most respected figures in Indian mixed martial arts with a long-standing commitment to the sport’s development at both national and international levels. He has played a crucial role in shaping the competitive landscape of Indian MMA through his work as a coach and educator.
Mr. Khare has served as the Indian National MMA Team Coach at multiple world and Asian championships leading athletes to podium finishes while representing the country on some of the sport’s biggest platforms. In addition to his coaching achievements, he serves as a technical director and educator at several major MMA events across Asia and beyond. He is a certified international referee and judge under AMMA and GAMMA and is widely recognized for his technical expertise and leadership in officiating. Mr. Khare also holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt (3 stripes) under Professor Robert Tan (Singapore) further cementing his well-rounded credentials. He is the founder of Evolution Combat Sports Academy, India’s first dedicated MMA training center established in 2010. Through Team Relentless which is another initiative he founded, Mr. Khare has mentored numerous athletes who have gone on to represent India and win medals at prestigious international events. His work at both grassroots and elite levels continues to shape the future of Indian MMA.
(Treasurer)
Mr. Pranav Chatre is an experienced business strategist with over 20 years in the education, wellness and green energy sectors. He has held global leadership roles and brings strong operational and financial insight to his role as Treasurer of MMA-SFI.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Mumbai University and an MA in Yoga and is currently pursuing a PhD in Yoga from JJT University. His diverse academic and professional background allows him to blend structure with a wellness-driven approach to sports administration. Passionate about holistic development, Mr. Chatre actively promotes wellness and accountability within the MMA community, supporting the federation’s long-term vision for athlete growth and organizational strength.
(Vice President; Head - Technical committee)
Ms. Preksha Jhaveri has extensive experience in the fitness, sports and media industries. She made history in 2018 as a partner at X1 International by conceptualizing and executing India’s first All-Women’s Fight Card, a landmark moment for female representation in combat sports.
She has served as Team Manager for GAMMA India at several international tournaments, supporting the growth and participation of Indian MMA on the global stage.
Ms. Preksha Jhaveri is a 1st Dan Black Belt and Level Examiner under AMMA, a Certified Level C Judge for GAMMA and AMMA and a National Level A Judge and Educator.
She currently serves as Vice President and Head of the Technical Committee at MMA-SFI reflecting her technical expertise and commitment to advancing combat sports in India.
(Vice President; Head - Ethics, Safeguarding and Women’s Commission)
Prachiti Nagpurkar is a Chartered Accountant by qualification and a born athlete with a lifelong passion for sports. She is a B-Level Judge and C-Level Referee with IMMAF and a C-Level Referee and Judge with AMMA in addition to holding National A Level Referee and Judge credentials with MMA-SFI. She has officiated at numerous national and international events including World Championships bringing deep expertise to every bout.
She has also served as a coach at multiple national championships and the World Championship guiding and supporting Indian athletes on major stages. Alongside officiating and coaching, Prachiti drives marketing and social media initiatives to promote MMA and grow its community.
As Vice President of MMA-SFI she leads the Safeguarding and Women’s Commission, advocating for women’s safety, empowerment and self-defense while strengthening grassroots programs and competitive structures.
(Vice President; Head - Legal)
Mr. Rutu Pawar is a practicing advocate with substantial experience in civil, commercial and criminal litigation. He regularly appears before the Bombay High Court as well as various judicial and quasi-judicial forums representing clients across a broad range of legal matters.
Known for his strategic approach and clarity in legal argumentation, he is skilled in managing all stages of litigation from advisory and drafting to final arguments. Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Pawar provides legal counsel on real estate transactions, contracts and regulatory compliance, offering organizations a clear, solution-oriented legal perspective. As the Legal Head and Vice President of MMA-SFI, he brings this expertise to the forefront of sports governance ensuring that the federation operates with legal integrity and institutional strength. A strong advocate for athlete welfare, Mr. Pawar is actively involved in the fitness and sports community with a deep interest in promoting Mixed Martial Arts in India. His commitment to fair play, structured growth and athlete-centric policy continues to drive MMA-SFI’s mission to build a robust and transparent ecosystem for the sport.
(Joint Secretary; Head - Ethics and Disciplinary Committee)
Susovan Ghosh is a respected figure in Indian mixed martial arts, recognized for his technical expertise, competitive experience and commitment to athlete development. A BJJ brown belt and 3rd Dan Black Belt in MMA under AMMA as well as a former professional fighter, he brings extensive knowledge from both the mat and the cage.
As part of the coaching team under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Susovan has actively contributed to representing and advancing Indian MMA on the international stage. Having coached athletes at national and global events he is widely regarded as a passionate and effective mentor.
He currently serves as Joint Secretary and Head of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee at MMA-SFI, reflecting his dedication to upholding integrity and fairness in the sport.
(Joint Secretary; Head - Events and Media)
Mr. Rahul Chavan is a seasoned marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in brand development, event production and strategic partnerships. With a strong track record of executing high-impact campaigns he brings valuable promotional insight to his role as Joint Secretary of MMA-SFI.
He has led successful collaborations across industries using his expertise to enhance visibility and build meaningful engagement. His ability to align strategic goals with creative execution makes him a key contributor to the federation’s growth and outreach. A national medalist in two MMA championships and winner at two open tournaments, Rahul. Chavan actively trains in Mixed Martial Arts. His background as a competitive athlete allows him to merge professional skill with deep sporting insight, ensuring athlete-first planning and execution.
