Her humble background and fight against stereotypes
Puja Tomar was born in Budhana, a small village in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. She is the youngest of three sisters. She revealed that her father did not want another girl. She was left to die in a pot, but her mother’s love saved her.
The preference for boys over girls in Indian families has contributed to an imbalanced sex ratio. Cultural beliefs suggest that male children carry on the family lineage, care for their ageing parents, and perform rituals after their death, whereas daughters cost them dowries and leave them after marriage. There is also a long history of female foeticide and killing of the girl child as soon as she is born.
Her family was ridiculed because her dad had not fathered a son. Tomar was aware of this misogyny, but she did not let it affect her ambitions. Instead, she wanted to beat boys. She learned from Jackie Chan movies and practised kickboxing, then she would get into fights with the boys to prove herself. She later became inspired by UFC legend Ronda Rousey of the United States.
She believed she could pursue a career in sports, but society believed sports were not for women, and the possible injuries could ruin the family’s name. Her mother supported her, even when their extended family opposed her involvement in sports and refused to support them after Tomar’s father passed away.
Starting from Wushu to becoming an MMA pro
Initially, Tomar secured a training position at the SAI centre in Bhopal when she was 12. She proudly represented India at the World Wushu Championship five times.
Tomar turned professional in MMA, competing in the Super Fight League from 2013. She won her debut fight against Priyanka Kadam via technical knockout at Contenders 16. She faced Ishu Sood at Contenders 17 and won via knockout. She lost to Hannah Kampf at Metro Mayhem via armbar. She then defeated Thulasi Helen at Highway to Hurt via technical knockout.
She was nicknamed “The Cyclone” for her swift and fierce fighting in the ring.
Tomar joined ONE Championship in the strawweight category. She lost to Tiffany Teo via armbar in the first round of Immortal Pursuit in her 2017 debut. She was defeated by Jihin Radzuan in the second round via triangle choke at Visions of Victory. She defeated Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol via split decision at Eternal Glory. She later faced Stamp Fairtex, losing via technical knockout in the first round at A New Tomorrow.
She also faced Bi Nguyen in a Muay Thai fight at Immortal Triumph, where she lost via split decision. She received international exposure, but the difficult results highlighted the demands of competing outside India.
Tomar joined Matrix Fight Night, a domestic promotion, to strengthen her skills. Her first fight was against Jojo Rajkumari at MFN 6, which she won via split decision. She faced Tenzin Pema at MFN 9 and won via technical knockout in the first round.
She faced Bi Nguyen again in a rematch at MFN 10, but this time she won via technical knockout in the second round. She became the first female champion of MFN in the strawweight category. She also defeated Anastasia Feofanova via technical knockout due to corner stoppage in the second round at MFN 12.
First Indian to win a UFC fight
In October 2023, Tomar announced that she had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), becoming the first Indian-born woman in the promotion. Her debut fight was against Rayanne dos Santos at UFC on ESPN 57 in June 2024. She reached another milestone by winning the fight, becoming the first Indian fighter to win a UFC bout in the Octagon.
Her journey became even tougher after that. She faced Shauna Bannon at UFC Fight Night 255 but lost via armbar in the third round. Her last fight was in Macau in May 2026 against China’s Ming Shi. She lost via arm-triangle choke in the first round.
Beyond the Octagon
Tomar continues to train at Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia. She has maintained a record of 9-6 so far in her mixed martial arts career. She remains a reference point in MMA and a source of motivation for young Indian athletes aspiring to pursue the sport.
Since her debut, parents in her village have started enquiring about how their daughters can begin training in MMA, which makes her proud. Tomar wishes that every parent would view sons and daughters as equals, showing full confidence and belief in them. She hopes every parent gives their daughter the opportunities she desires rather than simply expecting her to cook in the kitchen.
Her life is a reminder of continued resilience in the face of societal expectations. She has been breaking patriarchal barriers while pushing her boundaries with every setback she has faced. She might have lost fights, but has never lost her courage.
References:
- BBC Sports
- NavBharat Times
- ONE Championship
- Sherdog
- Northeast Live