Puja Tomar’s journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to becoming India’s first female MMA fighter to win in the UFC is nothing short of extraordinary. Her story is not just about victories in the cage; it is about breaking barriers, defying stereotypes, and proving that dreams know no gender.
A Fighter is Born
Born in Budhana, Muzaffarnagar, Puja grew up in a traditional family where sports, especially combat sports, were never considered a career option for girls. But Puja was different—she was strong, fearless, and determined to carve her own path.
She started with wushu, a Chinese martial art, and excelled in it, winning multiple national championships. But her ambitions were bigger. She wanted to step into the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a sport dominated by men and virtually unknown to Indian women.
Fighting the Odds
MMA is not just about physical strength; it requires mental toughness, discipline, and relentless training. Puja had no role models to follow, no structured support system, and very little financial backing. Yet, she pushed through.
She trained rigorously, often against male fighters, to build her skills. The bruises, injuries, and exhaustion never deterred her. Instead, they fueled her passion. She knew that every punch she took in training was one step closer to proving that Indian women could excel in MMA.
The Big Break
Puja became a multiple-time strawweight champion in Matrix Fight Night (MFN), India’s biggest MMA promotion. Her dominance in the Indian MMA scene opened international doors, leading her to compete in ONE Championship, one of Asia’s biggest MMA platforms.
But her dream was to make history in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the biggest MMA organization in the world. No Indian female fighter had ever won a bout there. Puja wanted to change that.
Making History
In 2024, Puja Tomar made headlines by becoming the first Indian female fighter to win in the UFC. This was not just her victory; it was a victory for every Indian girl who was ever told that some dreams are too big.
Her win proved that Indian women can dominate in combat sports, that they belong in the cage, and that they are as fierce and capable as any fighter in the world.
An Inspiration for Every Girl
Puja Tomar’s journey is a lesson in resilience. She teaches us that:
•Dreams demand sacrifice, but they are worth it.
•Society’s expectations should never define your potential.
•No sport, no career, no dream is off-limits for a woman.
Today, she continues to inspire young girls to take up combat sports, shattering the notion that women are weak. Puja Tomar didn’t just win fights—she changed the narrative. And she is not done yet.
To every girl who dreams of breaking barriers, remember Puja Tomar’s story—because if she can fight her way to history, so can you.