NEW DELHI: Puja Tomar, the trailblazer who etched her name into the history books as the first Indian woman to secure a victory inside the UFC Octagon, is looking toward the future with a mission that extends far beyond her own professional record. As she tours India to engage with a rapidly expanding fanbase, Tomar is championing a cause she believes is vital for the survival and growth of Mixed Martial Arts in the region: structural reform at the grassroots level.
Having navigated the arduous path from local obscurity to the global stage, the 32-year-old reflects on how the landscape has shifted. “It’s amazing. I always dreamt of the things that I am experiencing today,” Tomar told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview. “I never thought MMA would grow so much in India. But after the UFC events and after winning fights, a lot of things have improved.”
Most heartening for the fighter is the demographic shift within the gyms. Where MMA was once an alien concept or a male-dominated space, Tomar now sees a wave of women stepping into the mats. “Earlier, girls were unsure about whether they could do it, but now they are coming forward and doing well. It has become a trend,” she noted.
The Gaps Indian MMA Still Needs to Address
Despite the surging popularity, Tomar remains a pragmatist regarding the sport’s developmental shortcomings. Drawing from her own international experience, she highlights that passion alone is insufficient to compete at the elite UFC level.
“Things will have to change from the grassroots level,” Tomar asserted. “We need international coaches, proper conditioning, the right kind of diet, and proper guidance on weight cuts. These things are still lacking in many places in India.”
To bridge this chasm, Tomar is actively planning to launch her own MMA academy. Her vision is to create an inclusive environment, specifically tailoring training modules that make women feel more comfortable entering the combat sports sphere. She views this not merely as a business venture, but as a necessary training ground to produce future champions.
She has also floated a bold proposal for the UFC: the establishment of a formal training hub in India where local talent can rub shoulders with established international stars. “If there is a place where they can get everything they need right from the grassroots level, that would make a big difference,” she said. “UFC fighters should come and train our Indian fighters, and even spar with them. When Indian fighters get the opportunity to match their mental strength against these athletes, a lot of things can happen.”
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The trajectory of Tomar’s career has not been without turbulence. Following her historic debut win over Brazil’s Rayanne dos Santos in June 2024, she faced consecutive setbacks, falling to Ireland’s Shauna Bannon and later to China’s Shi Ming. The latter loss was compounded by a difficult personal period, as her mother’s month-long hospitalization kept Tomar away from the gym during a critical juncture.
However, the fighter maintains a mindset forged in the crucible of competition. “In my second loss, I felt I was very close to winning that fight. But that’s how I look at life: never give up. Never get demotivated,” she stated.
Now, with her mother recovered and her focus renewed, she is doubling down on her ground game, specifically wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu. “If you’re in the UFC, you want to be a complete MMA fighter… There are still certain things and moments that you are unable to show inside the Octagon. I have worked on those areas, and I’m still working on them.”
Cultivating the Next Generation
As part of the UFC India Tour, Tomar is eager to leverage the presence of stars like Brazilian fighter Carlos Prates to inspire the youth. She sees the involvement of global icons as a catalyst for local development.
Furthermore, she remains an ardent supporter of her peers. When asked who could potentially follow in her footsteps, she immediately pointed to Asha Roka, a striker with a background in karate. “I think if she makes a comeback to MMA, it will be easier for her to get a contract,” Tomar said, adding that she has personally encouraged Roka to pursue the path.
For Tomar, the narrative is far from finished. She views her current challenges as mere stepping stones in a larger movement. “It’s not as if I’ve lost two fights and that’s the end of it. I’m turning that disappointment into motivation,” she said. “If I win my next fight and become a champion, a lot of things will change. It will be like cricket—it will be a big thing.”
With her sights set on the Octagon and her heart dedicated to her future academy, Puja Tomar is not just fighting for a win; she is fighting to build a foundation that will ensure the next Indian UFC champion doesn’t have to face the same obstacles she did.
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