Puja Tomar, 28, scripted history as she became the first-ever Indian to win a bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in UFC Louisville 2024 on Sunday. Tomar won by the split decision of 30-27, 27-30, 29-28, beating Rayanne Amanda dos Santos. “This win is not my win. This win is for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters. before everyone thought that Indian fighters did not stand anywhere. I only thought I have to win and show the World that Indian fighters are not losers,” Tomar said in a video. “Walking out with our Indian song and the Indian flag gave me goosebumps and made me feel proud,” she said. Watch the viral video here: I spoke to Puja Tomar after she became the first Indian to win in the UFC! 🇮🇳#UFCLouisville | @SonySportsNetwk pic.twitter.com/doJBpis7AY — Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) June 8, 2024 In another video, Tomar can be seen teary-eyed as she was announced as the winner. Watch here: DEBUT DUBS 🙌 Puja Tomar takes the split decision at #UFCLouisville 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IMYkYlcDKj — UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2024 Who is Puja Tomar? Born in Budhana village of Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, Tomar, last year, became the first Indian woman fighter to secure a contract with UFC. A former national Wushu champion, Tomar featured in other championships including Matrix Fight Night and One Championship. After four consecutive losses, she left One Championship and joined Matrix Fight Night in 2021. She won four bouts in MFN, last defending the title against Russia’s Anastasia Feofanova in July. According to reports, she trains at the Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia, where Anshul Jubli trained for UFC fights. Fondly known as 'Cyclone', Puja Tomar is referred to as one of the best women fighters in the Indian circuit.
