PANJIM, Aug. 30 -- SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY[email protected]

Shoaib Khan stepped into the cage at theWarrior's Dream Series, in Mumbai, on Saturday carrying the weight of years spent trying to make a name for himself in a sport that has rarely en-joyed the spotlight in Goa. He left it with another emphatic statement.

Representing India in the flyweight bout, the Margao-based mixed martial artist dominated John Rey Alejandro of Metro Manila, Philippines, with a relentless combination of punches and kicks before forcing a stoppage to secure a knockout victory.

For Khan, the win was more than another entry on his professional record. It was another step in a journey that began with a dream but, for much of the way, had little backing behind it....