Puja Tomar Makes History With Victory At UFC Louisville 2024

India-West News Desk

LOUISVILLE, KY – In a landmark moment for Indian sports, Puja Tomar, 28, became the first-ever Indian to win a bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) during UFC Louisville 2024 on Sunday. Tomar triumphed over Rayanne Amanda dos Santos.

“I had goosebumps. 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,” said Tomar following her historic victory.

Santos used her height advantage and range to dictate the action, but Tomar went kicking and screaming to the final bell, causing damage in the process. When the scorecards were read, Tomar picked up a split decision win (30-27, 27-30, 29-28).

Known as “Cyclone,” Tomar, 30, signed her UFC contract in October last year, making her the first woman from India to compete in the world’s premier Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion. Her victory marks a significant milestone not only for her career but also for Indian representation in the sport. Prior to Tomar, Anshul Jubli, Bharat Kandare, and Canada-based Arjan Singh Bhullar have competed in the UFC, showcasing India’s growing presence in the global MMA scene.

Tomar’s journey to the Octagon has been fueled by the unwavering support of her mother, who has been a constant source of motivation. “Puja, just fight,” her mother would often tell her, pushing her to pursue her dreams relentlessly.

Reflecting on her journey, Tomar shared, “My mom has always been very excited for every one of my MMA fights, and one day she asked me which one is the biggest one. I said, ‘Mama, UFC.’ So she said, ‘Puja, I want to see you in UFC.’ I just said, ‘Yeah, mama, I train, and one day I’m going to UFC.’ And when I told her that now I’m in UFC, she was crying and she’s so excited and so happy.”

She was greeted with wild enthusiasm on her return to her village in Uttar Pradesh.