Louisville: Puja Tomar Makes Historic UFC Debut as India’s First Female Fighter to Secure Victory
Mixed martial arts athlete Puja “The Cyclone” Tomar made history by becoming the first Indian fighter to register a win inside the UFC octagon. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Tomar faced Rayanne dos Santos at strawweight in her debut match.
Tomar and dos Santos engaged in a grueling, fast-paced bout that lasted all three rounds, showcasing relentless back-and-forth action.
“I want to show the world that Indian fighters are not losers. We are going all the way up! We are not going to stop! We’ll become a UFC champion soon! This win is not my win, it’s for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters. I walked out to my Indian song with the Indian flag, and I felt so proud,” Tomar expressed following her historic victory. “Inside the Octagon, there was no pressure, I just thought, ‘I have to win.’ I took two or three punches, but I’m OK. I’m going to improve myself and I’m going all the way up.”
Despite Santos utilizing her height and range to control the fight, Tomar persisted with relentless energy, causing significant damage. The match concluded with Tomar earning a split decision victory (30-27, 27-30, 29-28).
“Puja Tomar is a pioneer for women’s MMA in India, and her win made history. India has a long-standing tradition of women excelling in combat sports, and UFC has been a platform for women to shine since 2013. Puja’s debut shows how far the UFC has come as a sport. We are looking forward to Puja continuing to put on amazing performances as she represents India,” commented Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President and Head of Asia.
