"if I can get here, so can many of us."
Indian MMA fighter Puja Tomar has made history by becoming the country’s first female fighter to land a UFC contract.
The 28-year-old from Uttar Pradesh announced the news on Instagram.
Tomar said she signed her contract with arguably the world’s biggest MMA promotion with the blessing of Ayesha Shroff, who co-founded Matrix Fight Night.
Tomar, who is the promotion’s reigning Strawweight Champion, posted a lengthy statement that read:
“Yesterday with the blessings of @ayeshashroff and @mfn_mma, I signed my UFC contract and became the first Indian female fighter to enter into the UFC.
“Today marks a moment in history, where a young girl from UP Budhana bijrol can turn her dream into reality.
“It marks a moment where anything is possible, no matter where we are from, because if I can get here, so can many of us.”
Puja Tomar thanked Matrix Fight Night and her mother, vowing to showcase her skills on the global stage.
She continued: “As MFN strawweight champ, I want to thank Ayesha, Krishna and the whole MFN team for helping me get achieve this dream.
“You grew me into the champion I am today and I owe alot to you, I will always wear you proudly in my heart.
“Ayesha Ma’am, I give you my word that I will make you, MFN and the country proud of who we are.
“To my mom, who has always supported me from the start, I will also make you proud, and show the world what a girl from a humble part of India can do.”
Thanking her gym Soma Fight Club, the post continued:
“My family, @somafightclub I am so grateful to have walked into the gym one day, and have found a place I can call home.
“My coaches who have put in so much time for me to be the fighter I am today, I am so humbled.
“My team for always having my back and pushing me. We will go to the top together. We have such an amazing vibe, and we are building so many champions worldwide.
“And thanks to my management team at @frm_europe, who negotiated the contract and helped me get closer to my dream, I look forward to the future with you.”
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Puja Tomar also issued a warning to her potential opponents, adding:
“To the UFC, and to all my future opponents.
“Know that us fighters from India are both fierce and strong, know that we will never give up in the face of danger. Know that I give my word today, that I will show you the strength of our people, for my people.
“We are coming, I am coming, and I have my whole country behind me.”
Nicknamed ‘The Cyclone’, Puja Tomar’s martial arts background is wushu and has an 8-4 record.
Her last fight came in July 2023, when she defeated Russia’s Anastasia Feofanova to successfully defend her title.
Puja Tomar will join Anshul Jubli, who made history in February 2023 by becoming the first Indian fighter to win in the UFC.
Jubli was the lightweight winner in Road to UFC, an event series in which top Asian MMA prospects compete in a tournament to win UFC contracts.
Jubli will make his official UFC debut against the United States’ Mike Breeden at UFC 294, which takes place in Abu Dhabi on October 21, 2023.
As for Puja Tomar, the UFC’s strawweight division is arguably the toughest women’s division, with China’s Zhang Weili the current champion.
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