June 9th 2024.
India's Puja Tomar made history in Kentucky as the first mixed martial arts fighter from her country to win a bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship in UFC Louisville. In her debut match, Tomar emerged victorious with a split-decision win over Brazil's Rayanne dos Santos in the straw-weight category on Saturday.
In an interview with Sony Sport Network after her win, Tomar expressed her gratitude towards her Indian fans and fellow fighters, stating that this win was not just for her, but for all of them. She also mentioned that she wanted to prove to the world that Indian fighters are not to be underestimated, as many have previously thought. The 30-year-old fighter, nicknamed "cyclone", signed with UFC last year in October, making her the first woman from India to compete in the prestigious Mixed Martial Arts promotion.
Tomar, who hails from the village of Budhana in Uttar Pradesh, is a five-time national wushu champion with a background in karate and taekwondo. She shared that she felt great about her win, and had come into the match with a determined mindset to emerge victorious. She also mentioned that the support from the crowd motivated her to give her best performance. When asked about her future plans, Tomar said that she needs to work on her skills and improve in areas such as takedowns.
Reflecting on her journey in MMA, Tomar acknowledged that it was not an easy one, and dedicated her win to her mother who had always supported her dreams. She also revealed that she has previously competed in other tournaments, including Matrix Fight Night, where she won the straw-weight title twice.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, MMA is a full-contact combat sport that combines elements of striking, grappling, and ground fighting from various combat sports around the world. The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, is an American company that promotes MMA fights. Tomar's win at UFC Louisville has put her and India's MMA scene in the spotlight, and has opened up new opportunities for Indian fighters to showcase their skills on the world stage.
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