• Divya ‘Chaos Pixie’ Fernando speaks about her career as an MMA fighter in Sri Lanka

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the highest-intensity and most dangerous sports in the world, but it is also one of the world’s fastest-growing combat sports. In Sri Lanka, it is yet to become a mainstream sport, but it is slowly making strides amongst men and women both. 

Divya Fernando, better known as Chaos Pixie in fighting circles, was part of the first-ever women’s MMA bout at the time. The Daily Morning Sports took time to have a chat with the young fighter regarding her career and the sport’s status in the country. 

The following is an excerpt from the interview: 

How did you get into this sport in the first place?

I initially got involved in this sport thanks to my dad. He introduced me to Kyokushin when I was quite young, but he never pressured me to continue. I developed a genuine interest in it as a hobby, and as I grew older, I also began exploring other martial arts disciplines like Muay Thai and MMA.

When you began training, did you have any plans on competing at this level?

When I first began training, I had no intention to do so. Martial arts has always been – and will continue to be – a hobby for me.

A little about your school life, family, home, and any sports you did while schooling?

During my school years, I attended St. Bridget's Convent from grade one onwards. I had the honour of serving as both a junior and senior prefect, and I also held the position of Treasurer in the Interact Club. While in school, I did dabble in basketball a bit, but my main passion remained Kyokushin, which I continued to pursue throughout my schooling.

In terms of my family life, I am the youngest member of my family. I am now married to Sakuna Abeysinghe, who is a full-time education consultant. He not only competes in MMA, but is also a coach in MMA.

It’s a dangerous sport; how was the support from your family?

Participating in a combat sport can indeed be dangerous, and the level of support from my family has varied. My immediate family has expressed concerns about my involvement in such a violent sport, which is somewhat ironic since my dad introduced me to it. However, I believe they are proud of the progress I've made in this sport, even though they may not fully endorse it.

On the other hand, my husband has been a strong source of support. He understands the dedication and commitment required in combat sports, and stands by me as I pursue my passion.

Combat sports can be physically and mentally demanding, and having the right support system is crucial. I'm fortunate to have a great coach, a supportive team, and, most importantly, a deep passion for the sport. This passion is what keeps fighters like me going, especially on days when training doesn't go as planned or when we face challenges in our journey.

Your husband is also in the sport. Was that one of the main reasons you took up the sport? And how supportive is he?

My decision to take up MMA was indeed influenced by my husband, but I had already started practicing Muay Thai before I met him.

I'm incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive husband. There was a time during one of my previous fight camps when I sustained a severe injury in training just a few weeks before the fight. I was filled with self-doubt and seriously considered giving up on the fight and the sport altogether. It was my husband who pushed me to continue and not give up.

Looking back, I'm grateful he did because if not for his encouragement, I might have walked away from the sport. Throughout my fight camps, he consistently ensures that I am both mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead. He is undoubtedly one of my greatest sources of strength in this journey.

How do you manage being a lawyer and competing at such a high level?

Balancing a legal career and competing at such a high level in sports can be challenging, but I'm fortunate to have a strong support system in place. My husband and family provide crucial support, and my boss is incredibly understanding and supportive of my athletic pursuits.

Maintaining this demanding schedule does take a toll on me. I wake up at 5 a.m. every morning for gym training and then have evening training sessions from 6 p.m. to around 10 p.m. However, it's my unwavering passion for the sport that drives me to continue. The love and dedication I have for martial arts and competing at a high level motivate me to manage both my legal career and athletic endeavours effectively.

Your achievements so far in the sport?

I've had several notable achievements in my journey within the sport:

1. My first MMA fight was a historic moment in Sri Lanka as it was the first and only women's MMA bout at the time. Although I lost via a unanimous decision after competing in all three rounds, it marked a significant milestone in my career.

2. I competed in the Karma Fight League, where I showcased my skills and dominated all three rounds, demonstrating my proficiency in the sport.

However, one of my most significant achievements is managing to excel in a high-intensity sport despite being diagnosed with endometriosis. This condition takes a significant physical and mental toll on me, but my determination and resilience drive me to push through every time I step into the ring or the gym.

MMA is somewhat an underground sport. Why is that?

There's a conception about this sport being too violent. In one way it is, but other countries are more open to the sport.

While it may have been considered underground in the past, MMA is becoming increasingly recognised and accepted as a legitimate sport in many parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, as people become more familiar with its rules, athletes, and the dedication required to compete at a high level.

Is there a Government association to govern the sport? Are they supportive? 

For MMA, there is no Government association, but for Muay Thai there is one governed by the World Boxing Council (WBC). However the WBC is very supportive; they have regulated rules and are recognised worldwide.

What are the main competitions in Sri Lanka?

In Sri Lanka, the main competitions for MMA include the CFC and the TFC. For Muay Thai, notable competitions include the WBC and the KFL (Karma Fight League).

These competitions provide platforms for fighters to showcase their skills and compete at various levels in both MMA and Muay Thai, contributing to the growth and development of combat sports in Sri Lanka.

How’s female participation in the sport in the country?

The level of female participation in combat sports in Sri Lanka is currently low compared to more mainstream sports. However, there is a growing interest and awareness of these sports among women, and it's expected that female participation will increase in the future.

As more opportunities, support, and representation become available for women in combat sports, it's likely that we will see a greater number of female athletes joining the ranks and making significant contributions to the sport in the country. The growth of female participation is a positive step toward diversity and inclusivity in the world of combat sports.

What can we do to promote the sport and find talent around the country?

Mostly, I would feel that apart from workshops, we have fighters who have no means of financial support to continue this sport. As we all know, training equipment and nutrition are very costly, and are the most important things a fighter needs. I would say scouting these fighters out and providing them with financial support would be a great way to promote and support fighters in our country. 

Your role models, or international fighters, who inspire you? 

Oh! Tough question. I would go with my husband for local talent. He is an amazing fighter and stands undefeated in his weight class. For international fighters there’s a whole list, Mike Tyson – my absolute favourite, Georges St-Pierre, Canelo Álvarez, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Charles Oliveira.

People who supported you in this journey?

I believe that without God's blessing and support, I wouldn't have been able to continue in this sport. My faith has been a fundamental source of support and strength.

My parents, even though they don’t fully support this… I know they are proud of me, because I see them forwarding all my videos to their friends, and so on. 

My husband has been an unwavering pillar of support. He has not only encouraged me physically but has also provided me with the confidence and belief in myself, especially during moments of doubt.

My coach at Vanquish, Coach Vimukthi has played a pivotal role in shaping me into the fighter I am today. Beyond physical training, he has instilled confidence in me and helped me develop as a resilient fighter.

Your future aspirations in the sport?

In the sport, my future aspirations are to continue competing to the best of my abilities while striking a balance with my family life, work, and training commitments. Above all, I aim to leave a lasting legacy that my children can be proud of, knowing that their mother pursued her passion and achieved success in combat sports.