Image Source: ANI
Puja Tomar Makes History as First Indian to Win in UFC, Overcoming Brazil’s Rayanne Amanda dos Santos.
Puja Tomar, a 28-year-old mixed martial artist hailing from Uttar Pradesh, India, made history as the first Indian to triumph in a bout within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Her groundbreaking victory unfolded at UFC Louisville 2024, where she clinched a split decision against Rayanne Amanda dos Santos, with judges’ scores of 30-27, 27-30, and 29-28.
Tomar, expressing her immense pride and recognizing the significance of her win, dedicated her triumph to her compatriot fans and fellow fighters. “This victory isn’t solely mine. It’s a triumph for all Indian fans and fighters. I had to win to showcase to the world that Indian fighters are a force to be reckoned with,” Tomar emphasized in a post-fight address.
In her UFC debut, Tomar squared off against dos Santos in a gripping strawweight encounter that unfolded over three intense rounds. Despite dos Santos boasting a height and reach advantage, Tomar unleashed her ferocity, inflicting significant damage and ultimately securing victory by a narrow split decision, marking a monumental milestone for Indian MMA.
Hailing from Budhana village, Muzaffarnagar, Tomar was the pioneer Indian woman to ink a contract with the UFC. Prior to her transition to the UFC, she boasted a decorated career as a national Wushu champion and competed in various fight leagues, including Matrix Fight Night (MFN) and One Championship. Following a string of setbacks in One Championship, she pivoted to MFN in 2021, where she amassed four victories, culminating in a successful title defense against Russia’s Anastasia Feofanova in her most recent bout in July.
