Mumbai: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Alfan Hashmi rests as a doctor treats a gash on his face after a bout at the FCC (Full Contact Championship) fight night in Mumbai on June 30, 2012. Fight nights are gaining popularity in Mumbai with people opening up their purse and paying money to watch fighters slug it out with each other. The fighters draw blood while the audience enjoys their drinks and food and cheers and boos. Fighters from all over the country, even villages are pitted against others. They are trained in something completely different from the others, so a judo expert may fight a kickboxing expert and a karate expert might be fighting with a grappler. FCC, organised by Prashant Kumar, an adman by profession but a MMA exponent for 20 years now, believes its a win-win situation as the fighters, mostly from humble backgrounds get recognition and money for their sweat and blood inside the ring. The motley crowd of around 400, sporting designer clothes, high heels, short skirts and swanky jewellery did seem to be getting into the groove as the evening gave way to the night and got the hang of it. There is a mobile bar and a food counter to treat ones gastronomics and a DJ who just kept on belting out non-stop foot tapping beats. (AFP)

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