On Sunday, June 9, 2024, Puja Tomar etched her name in the annals of Indian sports history. She achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first-ever Indian fighter to win a bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Her victory came at UFC Louisville 2024, where she faced off against Brazil’s Rayanne Amanda dos Santos.
Puja Tomar secured her victory via a split decision, with the judges scoring the fight 30-27, 27-30, and 29-28 in her favor. The intense battle showcased Tomar’s determination, skill, and resilience as she outperformed her opponent in a hard-fought contest.
It was a very close fight between the Brazilian and the Indian with both the fighters sticking trying to utilise their strengths. After three rounds of intense fighting, Puja Tomar secured the victory narrowly.
DEBUT DUBS 🙌
Puja Tomar takes the split decision at #UFCLouisville 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IMYkYlcDKj
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2024
Puja Tomar’s Journey
Born in Budhana village in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, Puja Tomar has a background in Wushu. Last year, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman fighter to secure a contract with the UFC.
Prior to her UFC debut, Tomar participated in other championships, including Matrix Fight Night and ONE Championship. Despite facing four consecutive losses, she persevered and continued to hone her skills.
In 2021, she left ONE Championship and joined Matrix Fight Night, where she won four bouts, including a title defense against Russia’s Anastasia Feofanova in July. Puja trains at the Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia, where she follows in the footsteps of Anshul Jubli, another UFC fighter. Fondly known as ‘Cyclone,’ Puja Tomar is regarded as one of the best women fighters in the Indian circuit.
Walking out to the Indian national song and carrying the Indian flag, Puja Tomar felt immense pride. Her victory is not just her own; it represents a triumph for all Indian fans and fighters.
Puja’s historic win shattered the perception that Indian fighters couldn’t compete at the highest level. Puja Tomar’s remarkable journey from Budhana to the UFC is an inspiration to aspiring fighters across India. Her victory serves as a testament to hard work, determination, and indomitable spirit of Indian athletes.
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