Nepali MMA fighter Ravindra Dhant has reached the Road to UFC Season 5 bantamweight final. He defeated previously unbeaten New Zealand fighter Kasib Murdoch by split decision after three rounds in Shanghai, China.
Dhant will face Japan’s Ryo Tajima for the bantamweight title and an opportunity to secure a UFC contract. The final date and venue have not yet been confirmed in the supplied report.
How Ravindra Dhant Reached the Road to UFC Final
Dhant began his tournament run by beating Filipino fighter Kimberd Alintozon in the quarterfinal. The referee stopped that contest at 4:37 of the second round, awarding Dhant a technical-knockout victory.
His semifinal required a different approach. Dhant completed all three rounds against Murdoch and earned a split-decision win.
The two results demonstrate that Dhant can finish opponents and remain competitive across a full fight. That versatility matters more than an inflated unbeaten record.
Who Is Ryo Tajima?
Ryo Tajima reached the final by defeating India’s Chungren Koren through unanimous decision over three rounds. He had previously beaten China’s Tai Haitao by split decision in the quarterfinal.
The Japanese bantamweight carries a reported professional record of 12 wins and three losses. He comes from Chichibu in Saitama, Japan.
Tajima has won both tournament fights by decision. Dhant has recorded one stoppage and one decision, making the final a clear test of Dhant’s finishing power against Tajima’s ability to manage complete rounds.
Ravindra Dhant’s MMA Record
The 27-year-old Dhant has a reported professional record of 10 wins and one loss. His victories include eight knockouts or technical knockouts, one submission and one decision.
Dhant began his professional MMA career in 2021 and represents Lock and Roll MMA in Nepal. In 2025, he knocked out Chungren Koren in the third round at Matrix Fight Night 17 in India to win the bantamweight championship.
That victory made him the first Nepali athlete reported to have won a title in a professional MMA promotion.
Why the Final Matters for Nepal
The Road to UFC tournament provides Asian MMA prospects with a route toward a UFC contract. Winning the bantamweight final would therefore represent the biggest competitive opportunity of Dhant’s career.
This is not merely a feel-good milestone for Nepali sport. Dhant has reached the final through a second-round stoppage and a three-round decision against an unbeaten opponent. The results, not patriotic exaggeration, make his achievement significant.
Conclusion
Ravindra Dhant is one victory away from winning the Road to UFC bantamweight tournament. Ryo Tajima presents an experienced opponent with a 12–3 record and consecutive decision wins.
Dhant’s knockout power gives him a serious route to victory, but the semifinal proved he does not need an early finish to succeed. Nepal now has a legitimate fighter competing at the edge of the UFC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ravindra Dhant reach the Road to UFC final?
Yes. Dhant defeated Kasib Murdoch by split decision in the bantamweight semifinal in Shanghai.
Who will Ravindra Dhant fight in the final?
He will face Japanese bantamweight Ryo Tajima.
What is Ravindra Dhant’s professional MMA record?
Dhant has a reported record of 10 wins and one loss. Eight of his victories have come by knockout or technical knockout.
Does winning Road to UFC guarantee a UFC contract?
Road to UFC winners receive an opportunity to earn a UFC contract. The tournament is designed as a pathway into the promotion, but the supplied report describes the prize as a contract opportunity rather than an automatic guarantee.
When is the Ravindra Dhant vs Ryo Tajima final?
The final date and venue were not stated in the supplied report.