Puja Tomar, 28, became the first Indian fighter to win at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in UFC Louisville 2024 last Sunday.By a split score of 30-27, 27-30, 29-28, Tomar defeated Rayanne Amanda dos Santos.
Pujar Tomar conveyed her appreciation by saying, “This win is not my win.” I commend this win to all Indian warriors and their fans. It was once commonly thought that Indian fighters could move about. My main objective was to win and demonstrate to the world that Indian boxers are not helpless individuals.Seeing our Indian flag and anthem fly gave me a warm feeling and gave me chills.”
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The UFC rookie who emerged victorious in a split decision at UFC Louisville was born in the Uttar Pradeshi village of Budhana, near Muzaffarnagar. Tomar, a former national Wushu champion, has competed in exciting competitions such as One Championship and Matrix Fight Night.
Last year, she signed a contract with the UFC. Tomar reportedly trains at the Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia, solidifying her reputation as one of the top female fighters from India on the international scene. The Muzaffarnagar native, affectionately known as “The Cyclone,” secured her incredible victory more than ten years after the UFC first allowed women to compete in the cage in 2013.
She quit One Championship after four straight losses and joined Matrix Fight Night in 2021. She defeated Russia’s Anastasia Feofanova in July after winning her last four MFN bouts.
Tomar also mentions in her UFC profile that she started learning martial arts at the age of 12 after losing her father. “After my father died away, all I wanted to do was protect my family. I thus began studying kickboxing and karate, and I believe I can pursue a profession in martial arts after that,” the woman stated.
In 2013, after competing for India in the World Wushu Championship, the MFN strawweight Champion entered the professional ranks. Her favorite striking move is the side kick, but her favorite grappling move is the heel hook.
Now, following her mother’s three-word advise, “Puja, just fight,” Tomar has accomplished the unthinkable, not just for herself but also for females back home in India, for whom the UFC history-maker has revealed a missed opportunity.
Source : Hindustan Times
