In June 2024, a small village called Budhana in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, turned into a party zone. People threw flowers, clicked selfies, and cheered loudly for their hero—Pooja Tomar. This wasn’t just any celebration. Pooja had done something huge. She became the first Indian woman to win a fight in the UFC, the world’s biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) stage. On June 8, 2024, she beat Brazil’s Rayanne Amanda dos Santos in a tough, exciting match at UFC Louisville. But her real victory started long before that day—right from the moment she was born.
Pooja’s life is like a Bollywood movie—full of struggles, drama, and a big win. Born into a simple family with two older sisters, her arrival wasn’t welcomed by everyone. Her father, upset at having a third daughter, fainted when he heard the news. He even left baby Pooja in a pot, hoping she wouldn’t survive. But her mother’s love saved her. Today, Pooja has shown the world that daughters are not a burden—they can be champions!
A Childhood Dream Inspired by Jackie Chan
Pooja’s journey to the UFC didn’t start in a fancy gym. It began with a video of action star Jackie Chan. As a little girl, she watched him fight on screen and thought, “I want to be like that!” She started learning karate in school, and at just seven years old, she punched a boy so hard he fainted. “I loved beating the boys,” Pooja once said with a laugh. That spark grew into something big. With her uncle’s help, she found a training spot at the Sai Centre in Bhopal. She worked hard, day after day, turning her love for fighting into real skill.
But life wasn’t easy. After years of karate, she was offered a job as a police constable. Pooja said no way! “After all this hard work, just a constable job? I wanted more,” she told Times of India. That’s when she heard about MMA—a sport where you mix punches, kicks, and wrestling. It was her chance to shine, and she grabbed it with both hands.
Rising Star in MMA: From Nothing to UFC Glory
When Pooja started MMA, she had no money or big sponsors. Whatever little cash she earned, she spent on training. Slowly, her talent got noticed. She fought in events like Matrix Fight Night (MFN), where she won the strawweight title twice. She also joined One Championship, a big Asian fight league, before signing with UFC in October 2023—the first Indian woman to do so!
Her big moment came in 2024 at UFC Louisville. Facing Rayanne dos Santos, Pooja showed her power with kicks and punches. After three rounds, the judges gave her a split decision win (30-27, 27-30, 29-28). The crowd cheered, and Pooja waved the Indian flag proudly. “This win is for all Indian fighters and fans,” she said. “I want to show the world we’re not losers—we’re here to win!” Her next fight is on March 22, 2025, against Britain’s Shauna Bannon at UFC London. Fans can’t wait to see her in action again!
More Than a Fighter: Pooja’s Soft Side
Pooja isn’t just about fighting. Away from the ring, she loves sketching. Her room walls are covered with drawings she’s made herself. “Fighting is my passion, but sketching keeps me calm and happy,” she says. It’s her way of staying grounded after all the action. She also loves her family dearly, especially her mom, who stood by her when no one else did. “My mom fought the world for me—this win is for her,” Pooja shared after her UFC victory.
Why Pooja Tomar Inspires India in 2025
Pooja’s story is bigger than just sports. She’s a symbol of hope for girls everywhere. From being left in a pot to die to standing tall in the UFC octagon, she’s proved that hard work and belief can beat any odds. In Budhana, where girls were once seen as less, Pooja is now a superstar. Kids look up to her, dreaming of their own big wins.
As she prepares for her next fight in London on March 22, 2025, Pooja has one goal: to bring a UFC championship belt to India. With her skills—she loves side kicks and heel hooks—and her never-give-up spirit, she’s on the right track. Whether she’s sketching quietly or kicking in the ring, Pooja Tomar is showing the world what Indian girls can do!
