"It’s one thing to see a punch in a movie, but another to see it right in front of you," says Prashant Kumar, the founder of Mumbai’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) league. Begun three years ago, fight nights are fast gaining popularity in the city. (Text: Rajini Vaidyanathan)

Competitors from across India go head to head, combining a mix of kick-boxing, judo, wrestling, grappling and other martial arts forms.

In the early days the fights attracted 250 people, but now the crowds are regularly in excess of 500. The spectators represent a mix of occupations and men and women of all ages, who pay $20 a ticket.

"A large part of the audience at the first fight were friends of mine... but they left saying they would bring back more people the next time, and that's how it's grown," says Mr Kumar.

Some 100 fighters participate in the league. Most of the fighters are already accomplished and are national gold, silver or bronze medal holders in their respective arts who have been “cross-trained” to fight in different styles.

Many of the fighters, who get paid between $200 to $400 per bout, are from rural areas. Some are women: the first all-female fight was staged three years ago.

Mr Kumar says he has travelled all over India to find his fighters. He began with about 30.

"People love to watch it, it's human nature," says Mr Kumar. "If you're walking on the road and there's a scuffle you’ll have 20 people watching - here you have trained, skilled professionals who are in a ring and it’s a high energy fight."

The fights take place in a room in a Mumbai film studio, which also serves as a recording and production house. There are few big indoor stadiums in Mumbai which would be able to accommodate larger crowds.