For millions of followers, Ankit Baiyanpuria is synonymous with the viral 75-day hard challenge. The fitness influencer transformed discipline into a nationwide movement, caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and even joined him in the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign. But behind his social media success lies a journey marked by struggle, perseverance and reinvention.
Raised in Bayanpur village in Haryana, Ankit grew up watching his parents work as daily-wage labourers. While pursuing his dream of becoming a wrestler, he supported himself through various odd jobs, including working as a food delivery executive.
When his wrestling ambitions came to an end in 2022, Ankit chose not to give up. Instead, he reinvented himself as a fitness content creator, inspiring millions with his disciplined lifestyle and consistent workout routines.
That transformation eventually led to the launch of the viral 75-day hard challenge, a fitness movement centred on discipline, consistency and mental toughness. The challenge propelled him to national fame and earned him recognition from Prime Minister Modi.
Now, the 27-year-old is preparing for perhaps the biggest challenge of his career.
On August 1, Ankit will make his combat sports debut in Armenia, where he is set to face UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan in a grappling contest.
Few observers are giving the Indian much chance against the experienced Armenian.
Tsarukyan enters the contest on the back of a five-fight winning streak in the UFC. Widely regarded as one of the top contenders in the lightweight division, he has secured six victories by submission and is considered one of the sport's finest grapplers.
Despite being viewed as a heavy underdog, Ankit says he is focused solely on giving his best.
A new beginning
Speaking exclusively to India Today ahead of the August 1 contest, Ankit said he accepted the opportunity immediately after it was offered.
He said he viewed the bout as a chance to challenge himself and did not spend much time debating the decision.
For Ankit, the match is not a one-off appearance but the beginning of a longer journey in combat sports.
He said this may be his first fight, but it certainly will not be his last, adding that he hopes to continue competing with even better preparation in the future.
Asked about his strategy against the vastly more experienced Tsarukyan, Ankit said he was not looking for any special tactics.
Instead, he said he intends to give his maximum effort while acknowledging Tsarukyan's stature as one of the best athletes in the sport.
Challenging perceptions
Many on social media and within the international MMA community have dismissed Ankit as merely an influencer stepping into professional competition.
Some Western media outlets have even described him as someone "known for wearing a thong and working out in a pile of dirt."
Ankit, however, said such comments do not affect him.
He believes the fight is an opportunity to prove that influencers can also be serious athletes and that dedication matters more than labels.
According to Ankit, comparisons with athletes who have trained professionally for years are natural, but he believes no one should be underestimated simply because they built their reputation on social media.
He added that he prefers to let his performance speak for itself.
For him, the contest represents more than just the pursuit of victory—it is also about demonstrating that discipline can transcend professions.
Having already received the Best Health and Fitness Creator award from Prime Minister Modi at the National Creator Awards, Ankit said defeating one of the UFC's leading contenders would rank among the greatest achievements of his life.
He described a victory over Tsarukyan as one of the biggest milestones of his journey.
Looking beyond one contest
Although Ankit understands the difference in experience between himself and Tsarukyan, he says his ambitions extend far beyond the outcome of this match.
He hopes the contest will generate greater interest in combat sports across India and encourage more people to support athletes in the discipline.
According to Ankit, India has immense sporting talent but needs better opportunities and direction. He said he would like to see combat sports receive the same level of attention and support that cricket enjoys.
Even if only a few more people begin following combat sports because of this bout, he believes it will have been worthwhile.
For Ankit, the contest represents another challenge in a life built on constantly pushing his limits.
Whether he wins or loses, he says the experience will help him improve and prepare for bigger opportunities ahead.
It is the same mindset that took him from being the son of daily-wage labourers in Haryana to becoming one of India's most recognisable fitness creators, and he now hopes it will help him establish himself in combat sports as well.
Ankit described the bout as a win-win situation, saying that regardless of the result, he will learn from the experience, return stronger and continue pursuing his goals.
When and where to watch
The grappling contest between Ankit Baiyanpuria and Arman Tsarukyan is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM IST on August 1 and will be streamed live on the W.tv website.
