From Pacifism to Cage Fighting: My Unlikely Journey Into MMA

COMBAT DOESN’T COME naturally to me. I grew up practicing Jainism, an ancient faith that instructs followers to avoid killing living things, even gnats and cockroaches. Yet here I am, wrapping my hands before sparring practice, a paradox that sometimes makes me laugh at life’s unexpected turns.

The gym smells of sweat and determination. Around me, fighters shadow box and slam their shins into heavy bags. I’m still the odd one out—hesitating before throwing combinations, apologizing after landing clean hooks. But something about this violent dance has captured my spirit in ways I never imagined possible.

When Worlds Collide: Jainism Meets MMA

I remember my grandmother gently sweeping insects from our path rather than stepping on them. The concept of ahimsa (non-violence) was drilled into me from childhood. So how did I end up in a sport where the objective is to physically dominate another human being?

It started with a self-defense class after a scary encounter walking home one night. That first class led to another, then another. Before I knew it, I was watching UFC fights, analyzing techniques, and feeling a strange pull toward something that contradicted everything I thought I believed in.

“The first time I rolled in jiu-jitsu,” I tell curious training partners, “I tapped out seventeen times in five minutes and apologized after each one.” They always laugh, but it’s true.

Finding Spiritual Harmony in Physical Conflict

What most people don’t understand about combat sports is that they’re not just about hurting others. At their core, they’re about facing yourself—your fears, limitations, and capacity for growth.

I’ve discovered that the mindfulness required in Jainism translates surprisingly well to MMA:

• Both require absolute presence in the moment
• Both teach respect for your opponent/all living beings
• Both demand self-discipline and continuous self-improvement

The Paradox That Changed Me

The biggest revelation came after my first amateur bout. Bloodied but standing, I touched gloves with my opponent after the final bell. In that moment, I felt no anger or desire to harm—only profound respect and gratitude. We had pushed each other to our limits, revealing truths about ourselves that remain hidden in ordinary life.

My coach noticed my philosophical struggle and offered wisdom that changed everything: “In here, we’re not trying to destroy—we’re trying to discover. Every punch you throw or take is just a question being asked and answered.”

That reframing helped me reconcile what seemed irreconcilable. I wasn’t abandoning my principles—I was exploring them through a different lens.

What MMA Teaches That Nothing Else Can

There’s something uniquely transformative about standing across from another person who intends to test your physical and mental limits:

I still don’t kill bugs. I still believe in the sanctity of all life. But I’ve expanded my understanding of what it means to respect others—sometimes respect means giving them your best fight and honoring their journey by not holding back.

Walking Two Paths

Some family members don’t understand this apparent contradiction. “How can you follow a peaceful religion and fight?” they ask. I don’t always have a perfect answer, but I know this: I’m more present, more humble, and more compassionate because of both practices.

When I bow before entering the mat and when I touch gloves before a sparring match, I’m honoring the same principles that guide me in my spiritual practice—respect for the other, acknowledgment of our shared humanity, and gratitude for the opportunity to grow.

Your Turn to Step Into the Cage

Have you ever found yourself drawn to something that contradicts what you thought you believed? Maybe it’s time to explore that contradiction rather than avoid it. Some of life’s richest lessons come from our most unexpected journeys.

As my jiu-jitsu coach likes to say, “The mat doesn’t lie.” Neither does life when we’re brave enough to face its complexities head-on.

For now, I’ll keep wrapping my hands, practicing my kicks, and trying to reconcile these seemingly opposite worlds. Because sometimes the most meaningful growth happens not when we avoid contradictions, but when we step directly into them.

What unlikely journey has changed your perspective? Share your story in the comments below.