Rabindra Dhant has become the first Nepali fighter to reach the semifinals of Road to UFC, defeating Filipino bantamweight Kimbert Alintozon via technical knockout in the quarterfinals on Thursday evening at Galaxy Arena in Macau, China.
The win moves Dhant one step closer to earning a contract on the UFC’s main roster — a milestone that no Nepali fighter has achieved before.
How Dhant Defeated Alintozon in the Bantamweight Quarterfinals
The bout was not straightforward from the opening bell. Alintozon, who stepped in as a late replacement after original opponent Matty Ian withdrew due to injury, came in as the biggest underdog on the card at +470. Despite that, the Filipino gave Dhant genuine problems during the striking exchanges in the first round, finding success on the feet and keeping the Nepali fighter honest.
It was round two that turned the tide of the battle. After a good uppercut from Dhant, Alintozon was left wide open, and Dhant took the opportunity to close the gap on him with a judicious takedown. When the battle was joined on the ground, Alintozon was at a loss for answers when Dhant took on the pounding with powerful ground balls. Although he showed resilience by surviving the initial flurry, the damage accumulated quickly. Referee Mark Craig stepped in to stop the contest with just 23 seconds left in the second round.
Dhant’s record now stands at 9-1. Alintozon dropped to 7-4.
Dhant’s Path to This Moment
Dhant has been building toward this stage steadily. He gained wider recognition after claiming the bantamweight title at Matrix Fight Night 17 in Greater Noida, India, where he knocked out Indian fighter Chungren Koren. That win established him as one of the top bantamweights in the Asian MMA circuit and put him in contention for Road to UFC consideration.
Road to UFC is the promotion’s primary regional tournament platform across Asia. Fighters compete in single-elimination brackets with a UFC contract waiting at the end for the division winner. Season 5 is currently running across multiple weight classes, with the Galaxy Arena in Macau hosting the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.
A large group of Nepali supporters were present at the venue during Thursday’s fight, waving Nepali flags and creating a visible atmosphere of support throughout the bout. After the victory, Dhant took time to acknowledge and thank them publicly.
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What Comes Next for Rabindra Dhant
Dhant will now face the winner of the bout between Japan’s Yonusuke Minami and New Zealand’s Kasib Murdoch in the bantamweight semifinal. A win there would put him in the final, where a UFC contract would be on the line.
The stakes are significant. No Nepali fighter has broken into the UFC’s main roster before, and Dhant’s run through Road to UFC Season 5 has placed him in a genuine position to change that. With his grappling now on full display at the regional stage and a track record of finishing opponents, he enters the semifinal as a credible threat.
As the Road to UFC Season 5 continues, Dhant’s next fight will determine whether Nepal produces its first UFC fighter.
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