‘More girls are coming forward’: Puja Tomar on MMA’s growing popularity in India and what it will take to produce UFC fighters
Photo by Uriel Soberanes on Unsplash
Puja Tomar, the first Indian woman to win a fight in the UFC, reflected on how the sport has evolved in India since her debut in June 2024. “Earlier, there was hardly any awareness of MMA. Today, it has changed completely. It has become a trend, and everyone wants to take up MMA,” she told Times of India. She noted a surge in female participation, saying girls are “coming forward and doing well” now that the sport has gained visibility through UFC events.
Tomar believes the next step is stronger grassroots support. “We need international coaches, proper conditioning, the right kind of diet and proper guidance on weight cuts,” she explained. She plans to open an MMA academy that would train both men and women, with a particular focus on creating a comfortable environment for girls. “If more academies and gyms open in India, with international coaches and experienced fighters sharing their knowledge with young athletes, we can produce many UFC champions,” she said.
The fighter also called on the UFC to help build infrastructure, proposing an academy where Indian fighters could train alongside UFC athletes. “Professional fighters don’t get much support from the government. If there is a place where they can get everything they need right from the grassroots level, that would make a big difference,” she added.
Despite two recent losses and a family setback that forced her to pause training, Tomar remains determined to return to the octagon. “I want to work on the areas of my game that still need improvement, including wrestling and Jiu‑Jitsu,” she said, emphasizing that every fight teaches a lesson. Her goal is to inspire the next generation of Indian fighters, particularly women, to follow in her footsteps and reach the UFC stage.
