Nazareth “The Northstar” Lalthazuala has made history at every turn since his ONE Championship debut, and on September 4, he steps onto the biggest platform of his career yet.
India’s top MMA star makes his U.S. primetime debut against American Gilbert Nakatani in a strawweight MMA contest at ONE Fight Night 47 on Prime Video. The event broadcasts live on Friday, September 4, from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
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The 25-year-old southpaw from Dojang MMA in Guwahati has put together an eye-catching run in Indian MMA since beginning his journey in 2021. Now holding an 8-0 record with five finishes and three victories inside ONE, Lalthazuala’s story is just beginning, and September 4 marks its most significant chapter.
With a global roster contract in hand, Lalthazuala steps onto the main roster against the 32-year-old Nakatani, who carries nine career wins and previous ONE experience.
“I’m very excited about it. My opponent is very good as well, and I’m happy about the training. I have no pressure at all, but I’m scared I might be overconfident. There’s no pressure at all for me.”
“I’m very excited about it. My opponent is very good as well, and I’m happy about the training. I have no pressure at all, but I’m scared I might be overconfident. There’s no pressure at all for me.”
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The journey that brought Lalthazuala to this moment unfolded rapidly. He arrived at ONE Friday Fights in November 2025 with an unblemished record and promptly announced himself to the global audience in the most emphatic way possible, by knocking out Masaki Suzuki in just 17 seconds.
Three months later, he showed a different dimension of his game, submitting Jake “Venom” Bron in the second round. This past June, he stopped Jhon “The Protagonist” Brutas via first-round TKO. That performance earned him a bonus and a US$100,000 main roster contract with the world’s largest martial arts organization.
The moment the contract was secured, everything changed.
“This contract is what I have been hoping for my whole life. So this contract is really precious to me, and I’m really grateful. I will do my best and work harder.
“I was expecting it and not expecting it at the same time, because that contract was like a dream to me. Even when they announced my name, it still felt like a dream to me. I was thankful to ONE Championship and Manas [coach].”
“This contract is what I have been hoping for my whole life. So this contract is really precious to me, and I’m really grateful. I will do my best and work harder.
“I was expecting it and not expecting it at the same time, because that contract was like a dream to me. Even when they announced my name, it still felt like a dream to me. I was thankful to ONE Championship and Manas [coach].”
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Back home in Mizoram, the news of the ONE contract rippled outward from Lalthazuala’s family into the broader community that watched him develop from a young prospect into a genuine world-class fighter. The reaction he describes is one of collective joy that went deeper than a single fighter’s milestone.
For a young man who carries the pride of his community with him every time he competes, moments like these are what make the sacrifices worthwhile.
“It was beyond my imagination, so it still feels like a dream. When they heard about the contract, my parents were crying out of happiness, and all the neighbours and family were really happy for me.
“I was thrilled about it, and there’s nothing much that’s changed around me. Since then training has been going on, and I’ve been training hard ever since.”
“It was beyond my imagination, so it still feels like a dream. When they heard about the contract, my parents were crying out of happiness, and all the neighbours and family were really happy for me.
“I was thrilled about it, and there’s nothing much that’s changed around me. Since then training has been going on, and I’ve been training hard ever since.”
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Nazareth Lalthazuala has prepared for everything Gilbert Nakatani brings, identifying precisely where he believes the outcome will be decided.
Nakatani is a defensively disciplined and physically strong opponent. His experience makes him a dangerous matchup for any newcomer. Lalthazuala has not overlooked those qualities, and his preparation has focused on solving the puzzle Nakatani presents.
“My opponent is really good at defense, and he has a lot of strength, so I’m preparing my best to counter the defense. He has a lot of weakness too, but there’s nothing to point out.
“I think my speed is better than his, and my strength and cardio are much better than his as well. I’m willing to fight all [three] rounds with him, but I also hope I can secure a knockout or a submission.”
“My opponent is really good at defense, and he has a lot of strength, so I’m preparing my best to counter the defense. He has a lot of weakness too, but there’s nothing to point out.
“I think my speed is better than his, and my strength and cardio are much better than his as well. I’m willing to fight all [three] rounds with him, but I also hope I can secure a knockout or a submission.”
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Beyond the fight itself, Lalthazuala carries the weight of a nation into Lumpinee Stadium. He knows his success is inspiring the next generation of Indian MMA fighters to believe the world stage is within reach.
The Dojang MMA representative understands the significance of his rise for aspiring fighters back home and remains determined to make India proud.
“As an Indian fighter, I will try to live up to the expectation at its best. I will try my best.
“There are some people who came from other states to be an MMA fighter because of me, and there are also kids who want to be an MMA fighter just because of me. Yes, I am really happy about it.”
“As an Indian fighter, I will try to live up to the expectation at its best. I will try my best.
“There are some people who came from other states to be an MMA fighter because of me, and there are also kids who want to be an MMA fighter just because of me. Yes, I am really happy about it.”
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