NEW DELHI: India's
Puja Tomar
has made history by becoming the first mixed martial arts (
MMA
) fighter from the country to win a bout at the
Ultimate Fighting Championship
(UFC). Tomar achieved this milestone at
UFC Louisville
, where she secured a split-decision victory over Brazil's Rayanne dos Santos in the straw-weight (52kg) division on Saturday.
Debutant Tomar's bout ended with a score of 30-27, 27-30, 29-28 in her favor. Following her landmark victory, Tomar expressed her gratitude and pride.
"This win is not my win. This win is for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters. Before, everyone thought that Indian fighters did not stand anywhere. I only thought I have to win and show the world that Indian fighters are not losers," she told Sony Sport Network.
The 30-year-old, known as "Cyclone," signed her contract with the
UFC
in October of last year, making her the first woman from India to compete in the prestigious MMA promotion. Other Indian fighters like Anshul Jubli, Bharat Kandare, and Canada-based Arjan Singh Bhullar have also represented the country on the UFC stage.
Reflecting on her victory, Tomar said, "I feel great. I came from home thinking that I would win. I have worked really hard; that's why I am here, and the crowd is cheering for me. I was very strong and motivated, so that's why I won."
Born in Budhana village of Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar, Tomar is a five-time national wushu champion and also has a background in karate and taekwondo. Despite her confidence, she acknowledged areas for improvement. "I was confident of winning, I attacked a lot. But I wasn't able to give my 100 percent. I felt pressured in the second round. I need to improve on a lot of skills like takedowns."
Tomar dedicated her victory to her mother, who she credits for supporting her through challenging times. "My MMA journey was not easy. This win is for my mother; she has fought with the world for me. So this win is for her."
In addition to her UFC debut, Tomar has competed in other tournaments, including Matrix Fight Night, where she won the straw-weight title twice. MMA is a full-contact combat sport incorporating techniques from various combat disciplines worldwide, including striking, grappling, and ground fighting.
The UFC, an American mixed martial arts promotion company, is the largest in the sport, showcasing top-tier fighters from around the globe. Tomar's victory marks a significant achievement for Indian MMA and sets the stage for more fighters from the country to make their mark on the world stage.
(With inputs from PTI)
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