In the world of mixed martial arts, few stories are as electrifying as Puja Tomar UFC Journey. From a small village in India, she has broken barriers to become the first Indian woman to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC). For all the fans of Puja, this blog is your go to guide to her incredible journey. From her early struggles to her historic UFC debut, this blog will cover Puja’s MMA career highlights, recent fight updates and a training guide. Whether you are a fan of MMA, interested in UFC Indias growth or want to learn MMA, Puja Tomar’s story is about grit, passion and perseverance.
Puja “The Cyclone” Tomar, is not just a fighter but an inspiration for Indian MMA scene. Her journey from rural Uttar Pradesh to the global UFC stage is a story of overcoming the odds and rewriting history. As the sport grows in India, her success is inspiring dreams for countless aspiring fighters, especially women. Let’s get into her amazing story, break down her achievements and find out how you can train like a champion.
Who is Puja Tomar? Making of the The Cyclone
Puja Tomar was born on December 25, 1993 in Budhana village, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. Growing up in a conservative rural community in India, she faced many societal challenges that could have easily demotivate her and her dreams. In a more personal detail, Puja shared that her parents, expecting a boy, rejected her at birth and left her in a pot to fend for herself. Her mother’s decision to save her and that sparked a fire in Puja that would define her life. This fighting spirit led her to martial arts at 12 to protect her sister from bullies. What started as a protective instinct turned into a lifelong passion for combat sports.
Puja’s early training was in wushu where she was a 5 time national champion and represented India at the World Wushu Championships. She transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2013 and that marked a new beginning. Standing 5 feet 4 inches and competing in the strawweight division at 115 pounds, Puja brings explosive power and non stop energy to the cage. Puja Tomar’s nickname “The Cyclone” reflects her fighting style which is all about non-stop strikes and relentless pressure. Today she trains at Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia alongside other top MMA fighters to prepare for the global stage.
For UFC India fans, Puja is a game changer. Her journey shows that Indian athletes can compete at the highest level like UFC, and is inspiring a new wave of talent in a country where cricket is the dominant sport. Her story is not just about personal achievement but about creating a path for future generations of women in MMA of India.
Career Highlights From Wushu to UFC Stardom
Puja Tomar’s career is a full of achievements that show her ability towards MMA. From regional circuits to the UFC, it’s a lesson in perseverance. Here are her highlights:
Early Success in Regional Promotions
- Super Fight League: Puja debuted professionally in 2013 with India’s Super Fight League and was a knockout artist from the get go. Six of her nine wins are by KO or TKO, with several under 30 seconds.
- Wushu Roots: Her background as a five-time national wushu champion gave her a strong striking foundation, which she adapted and convert it seamlessly to MMA.
ONE Championship Experience
- Global Exposure: In 2019 Puja joined Asia’s largest MMA promotion named ONE Championship. Despite a 1-4 record including a Muay Thai bout she faced top tier opponents like Stamp Fairtex and Bi Nguyen and got valuable experience.
- Growth Through Adversity: Her losses against high-level strikers in ONE Championship, she take it in positive way and used those losses to improve her skills especially in grappling.
Matrix Fight Night Dominance
- Champion: In 2022 Puja won the Matrix Fight Night MFN strawweight title with a TKO win over Bi Nguyen, avenging a previous loss. This showed her improved ground and pound and grappling.
- Title Defense: She defended her MFN title in 2023 against Anastasia Feofanova and is now considered one of the top regional talent and UFC scouts are taking notice.
UFC Contract and Historic Win
- First Indian Woman in UFC: On October 17, 2023 Puja signed with the UFC, becoming the first Indian born woman to do so. This was celebrated across Indian MMA communities.
- Debut Win: On June 8, 2024 at UFC Louisville Puja defeated Rayanne dos Santos via split decision 30-27, 27-30, 29-28, becoming the first Indian fighter to win in the UFC. Her performance was marked by powerful body kicks and a push kick knockdown and was all over the headlines globally.
Puja’s professional record is 9-5 with 67% of her wins by KO/TKO. Her striking accuracy is 48% and she has 100% takedown defense. She loves to use side kick for striking and heel hook for grappling. Her wushu background mixed with MMA skills makes her a force to be reckoned with in the strawweight division. That’s why Puja Tomar UFC news is trending among women’s MMA and UFC India fans.
Latest Fight Updates A Rollercoaster in the Octagon
Puja’s UFC journey has been epic but not without its challenges. Her recent fights have been edge of the seat. Here’s the latest on her UFC career:
UFC Louisville Debut June 8 2024
- Opponent: Rayanne dos Santos Brazil
- Result: Split decision 30-27, 27-30, 29-28
- Details: Puja dominated the first round with her body kicks, dos Santos had to rethink her strategy. Second round dos Santos came back with her own kicks but Puja sealed the win with a push kick knockdown in the last round. Her post fight speech I want to show the world that Indian fighters are not losers, hit hard and resonated with UFC commentators and fans.
- Impact: This win made Puja the first Indian to win in UFC, a historic moment for UFC India. Celebrities like Preity Zinta and fans across social media platforms were praising her, calling her a national hero.
UFC Fight Night 254 March 22 2025
- Opponent: Shauna Bannon, Ireland
- Result: Submission loss armbar at 3:22 of round two
- Details: This fight was originally scheduled earlier but was delayed due to a minor ankle injury. Puja trained for 3 months at Soma Fight Club and focused on her striking aggression. She had a good showing with calculated strikes but got caught in an armbar by Bannon, a taekwondo specialist with BJJ skills. Puja later said I felt I could match her striking but I have more to improve on.
- Fan Sentiment: Despite the loss, Indian MMA fans praised her effort, posts on X saying she was resilient and telling her to continue to support her over other Indian fighters like Anshul Jubli.
Now Puja’s next steps are awaited. She has said she wants to climb the strawweight rankings and get quick finishes to be a title contender in 2 years. She is focusing on fine tuning her skills and working on her weaknesses from her last fight. Her next fights will be crucial in deciding her path to the top.
Indian MMA Training Inspired by Puja Tomar
Puja’s success is not just about talent it is about disciplined training and mental toughness. For aspiring fighters or fitness enthusiasts who want to train like The Cyclone here is a practical guide inspired by her training, for Indian MMA training.
Core Training Principles
- Consistency: Puja trains twice a day, striking, grappling and conditioning. Morning sessions for technique and evening sessions for strength and cardio.
- Mental Clarity: She prays before fights to focus, something that can help athletes stay grounded under pressure.
- Adaptability: Her ability to go from a wushu striker to a well rounded MMA fighter shows the importance of having many skills.
Sample Training Routine
- Warm-Up 15-20 minutes
- Leg swings, arm circles
- Shadowboxing to work on footwork and combinations
- Jump rope for cardio and coordination
- Striking Drills 30 minutes
- Side kick practice, Puja’s signature move
- Heavy bag for power punches and body kicks
- Pad work with a partner to work on speed and accuracy
- Grappling Drills 30 minutes
- Heel hook setups, Pujas favorite submission
- Takedown defense drills to mirror her 100% takedown defense
- Ground-and-pound practice for control and power
- Strength and Conditioning 20-30 minutes
- Bodyweight circuits squats, push-ups, burpees
- Kettlebell swings for explosive power
- Sprints for endurance and speed
- Cooldown and Recovery 10-15 minutes
- Static stretching for flexibility
- Foam rolling to prevent injuries
- Meditation or breathing exercises for mental recovery
Diet and Nutrition
- High Protein: Puja eats high protein to maintain her 115lbs frame, chicken, fish and paneer are her go to protein sources.
- Complex Carbs: Brown rice, sweet potatoes and oats fuel her intense sessions.
- Hydration: She emphasizes hydration especially in Bali’s humid training conditions.
- Supplements: Multivitamins and protein shakes for recovery but she doesn’t rely too much on supplements.
Tips for Beginners
- Start Small: Begin with basic martial arts like karate or kickboxing, as Puja did, before moving to MMA.
- Find a Community: Join a local gym or MMA club to learn from experienced coaches, like Pujas time at Soma Fight Club.
- Stay Resilient: Puja faced financial and personal challenges in the beginning. Perseverance is the key to overcoming obstacles.
This guide is for those in India where MMA gyms are popping up in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Follow Pujas principles and you can build the physical and mental strength for MMA or general fitness.
The Impact of Puja Tomar on UFC India and Women’s MMA
Puja’s rise has big implications for UFC India and women’s MMA. Her win has started conversations about MMA being on par with mainstream sports like cricket. In interviews she has expressed frustration at the lack of recognition for non-cricket athletes, asking fans to promote MMA on social media to grow the sport. Her win has inspired women who had given up on their fighting dreams, showing them that UFC is possible.
UFC is interested in India and fighters like Puja and Anshul Jubli are leading the way. Her success at UFC Louisville and her determination to improve after her loss to Bannon shows she is a change maker. As more Indian women enter the sport Puja hopes to see MMA camps and academies flourish with more media and government support.
Conclusion A Champion for India
Puja Tomar UFC journey is not just personal it’s a hope for Indian MMA. From her wushu roots to her historic UFC win she has proven that Indian fighters can compete with the world’s best. Her story of overcoming rejection, financial struggles and societal barriers is relatable to anyone who is chasing a dream against all odds. While her recent loss to Shauna Bannon was a setback her resolve to climb the strawweight rankings remains unshaken.
Looking for Puja Tomar UFC news? Her journey is far from over. She’s got her next fight coming up and training hard to bring a UFC belt to India. She’s impacting beyond the Octagon and putting UFC India on the global map.
Want to stay updated on Puja Tomar’s journey and Indian MMA? Follow our blog for fighter news, training tips and UFC India updates. Comment below and join the conversation to support The Cyclone as she goes for the top.