Puja Tomar Becomes First-Ever Indian Female Fighter to Sign with UFC

Puja Tomar has made history by becoming the first-ever Indian-born female fighter to earn an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

Tomar announced the signing on Instagram and it was confirmed by her management firm, First Round Management.

“The Cyclone” isn’t new to the global stage, as she competed in One Championship from 2017 to 2020, where she picked up one victory in four mixed martial arts bouts and one muay thai outing. She then went on to rack up a four-fight win streak including three finishes in Indian mixed martial arts promotion Matrix Fight Night.

In her most recent bout, Tomar defeated Anastasia Feofanova of Russia via fourth-round stoppage at MFN 12 in July to be crowned the inaugural MFN strawweight champ.

Tomar reps the Soma Fight Club in Bali, the same gym as Anshul Jubli, who won last year's “Road to UFC” in the lightweight bracket and is set to make his promotional debut against Mike Breeden at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

“Today marks a moment in history, where a young girl from UP Budhana bijrol can turn her dream into reality. It marks a moment where anything is possible, no matter where we are from, because if I can get here, so can many of us,” Tomar wrote on Instagram.

“My family, [Soma Fight Club] I am so grateful to have walked into the gym one day, and have found a place i can call home. My coaches who have put in so much time for me to be the fighter I am today, I am so humbled. My team for always having my back and pushing me. We will go to the top together. We have such an amazing vibe, and we are building so many champions worldwide.”