Siddharth Singh is known as India’s accomplished athlete. He has turned into an entrepreneur with a lunch of a supplement brand. The pioneer of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) talks to ‘The Perfect Voice’ regarding his journey as an entrepreneur and future plans. Excerpts...
From an MSc in International Strategy and Economics to becoming India's first competitive Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. How did your educational background influence your approach to entrepreneurship?
My journey in martial arts has been driven by a deep passion for combat sports. However, building Crosstrain Fight Club—India’s leading MMA academy—required more than just technical expertise; it needed strategic planning, business acumen, and brand development. My education and corporate experience played a crucial role in making this vision a reality.
My MSc in International Strategy and Economics from the University of St Andrews provided me with the tools to plan and structure India’s first MMA academy in a way that ensured long-term sustainability and growth. My journey—from an athlete to a coach and entrepreneur—has been fueled by a mix of martial arts passion, strategic education, and corporate branding expertise. With Crosstrain Fight Club, my mission is to continue developing India’s next generation of world-class MMA athletes and elevating Indian MMA on the global stage.
What gaps in the market did you identify that inspired you to create a supplement brand specifically for the Indian fitness community?
As an athlete and coach, I’ve always believed that success in combat sports isn’t just about skill and training—it’s also about what fuels your body. When I founded Crosstrain Fight Club, my mission was to create a training environment that could produce world-class athletes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and other combat sports. But one major challenge stood in the way—high-quality sports nutrition was either too expensive or simply not available in India.
That’s why I started 191 Nutrition.
I saw firsthand how athletes in India struggled to find affordable yet effective supplements to support their training. Either they had to compromise on quality, or they had to pay a premium for imported products. This wasn’t acceptable to me. Our athletes deserve the best, and I wanted to create a brand that delivers world-class supplementation at Indian prices.
How does 191 Nutrition stand out in such a crowded market?
From day one, I made sure that 191 Nutrition was something I could personally trust—for myself, my family, and my students at Crosstrain Fight Club. Every product we release is tested and used by me, my entire team, and some of the top athletes in the country.
Today, 191 Nutrition is proud to be the choice of AJP Pro Jiu-Jitsu League and ADCC India athletes. These are some of the best grapplers and fighters in the country, competing at the highest levels, and they trust 191 Nutrition to fuel their journey.
We focus on science-backed formulations that cater specifically to the needs of grapplers, MMA fighters, and strength athletes. Whether it’s protein, recovery supplements, or performance enhancers, every product is designed to meet the demands of combat sports.
How do you ensure that 191 Nutrition’s offerings align with the needs of both elite athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts?
When I launched 191 Nutrition, my goal wasn’t just to create supplements for professional fighters and athletes. I wanted to build products that would help anyone—from elite competitors to everyday fitness enthusiasts—perform at their best.
Whether you’re an ADCC India or AJP Pro athlete preparing for the next big tournament or someone juggling work, family, and training, your body has unique demands. 191 Nutrition is designed to meet those demands with precision—helping athletes recover faster while also ensuring regular people stay active and healthy.
You’ve trained over 5,000 women in self-defense. Can you share your experience?
At Crosstrain Fight Club, we have had the privilege of training over 5,000 women in self-defense over the past 12 years. While this has been an incredible journey, I believe we can do 10 times more in the next 10 years.
To make this vision a reality, we are launching a dedicated foundation that will work exclusively with orphanages, NGOs, and schools that focus on empowering young girls. Our mission is to equip them with essential physical and psychological self-defense techniques, helping them build confidence, awareness, and the ability to recognize potential threats.
What’s next for you both as an athlete and an entrepreneur?
With the UFC's global influence expanding, more Indian audiences are becoming aware of the sport, leading to a surge in participation at both amateur and professional levels. Fighters like Anshul Jubli and Pooja Tomar have proven that Indian athletes can compete on the biggest stages, inspiring the next generation to take up the sport seriously. Their success has also caught the attention of international promotions, opening doors for more Indian talent.
The next decade will be crucial in developing grassroots training programs, increasing sponsorship opportunities, and creating a structured ecosystem that allows Indian fighters to thrive.
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