India’s Puja Tomar achieved a stunning victory at UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) in Louisville, where she had a glorious victory over Brazil’s dos Santos in the straw – weight 52 Kg division on Saturday, June 8. She is the first women from India to complete in the prestigious MMA.
Puja Tomar makes history by becoming the first mixed martial arts (MMA) from India to win a bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).Tomar’s bout ended with a score of 30-27, 27-30, 29-28. She expressed her pride saying “This win is not my win. This win 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” to Sony Sport Network.
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Tomar is from Budhana village of Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar. She is five times National Wushu champion and also has a background in Karate and Taekondo. MMA is a full-m contact combat sport including incorporating techniques from various combat discipline worldwide, including striking, grappling, and ground fighting.
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Tomar is also known as “Cyclone”, a 30- year-old women who signed the UFC contract in October of last year 2023. Reflecting on her victory she added “I feel great. I came from home thinking that I would win. I have 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”.
She said “I was confident of wining, 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 a lot on skills like takedowns”.
Tomar decided her victory to her mother, who supports her on her 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.”
Other fighters like Anshu jubli, Bharat Kandare and Arjan Singh have also participated in UFC.
Author: Anushka Jaiswal
Anushka Jaiswal is pursuing a degree in journalism and Mass Communication. I am more interested in listening to the podcast rather than reading books. My hobbies include listening to music, journaling philosophical thoughts. From my school days I have taken a keen interest in debate competitions whether it is English or Hindi. I am not much indulged in the sports but I remain active in some of the co curricular activities like cycling, swimming, running, jogging and the like.
