Indian MMA managed to shine on the biggest stage in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with Puja Tomar beating Rayanne dos Santos in the Women’s strawweight bout via split decision to be the first fighter out of India to win a fight in the UFC.
Puja, elated with the win, remains focused on her next task, improving herself enough to become a championship-calibre fighter. She recognised that she might not be good enough for the title for the moment, but maintained confidence in getting there if she could get some quick finishes and work on fine-tuning her skills to take her to the elite level of fighters.
“In the UFC there are so many women in my weight category that are very good, yes it’s a long journey but if I can improve myself within two years, work on fine-tuning small aspects of my game like finishing off fights quickly, via knockouts or submissions and take myself closer to the title,” Puja commented on possibly being a champion in the future.
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While overcoming challenges on a personal level can be done, there remains the question regarding whether India can continue to produce top-level fighters in the future or whether this is a lucky shot for the country. Puja maintains her confidence in the talent pool but feels that there isn’t enough recognition even after being the first to take the win.
“I do think that the future of MMA is certainly bright at the moment where it can go past even a sport like cricket and more, I feel like we need 2-4 years more, it may happen much earlier as well when we produce some top fighters,” Puja commented.
The fighter from Uttar Pradesh suggested that the lack of recognition despite taking a win in an organisation as big as the UFC. She pointed out her frustration with the lack of recognition for those who aren’t part of mainstream sports like cricket, football etc.
The thing is that MMA in India is still at a point where people in social media waste their time on pointless stuff on social media. If these very people can recognise these moments and help promote our sportspersons, then it will certainly help us grow the sport in the country.
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Puja now hopes that the many women in the country who might have put fighting on the sidelines be inspired to take it back up and use her victory as inspiration to bring forth many more athletes who can put Indian MMA at the very top.
“I genuinely feel like there are a lot of women who have given up the sport but after my win, there is certainly that inspiration that maybe they could also do what I did which would be a great sight,” she added.
Puja remains hopeful that this win could act as the spark to set the craze of MMA alight in the country and remains optimistic to see others also succeed in the UFC.
“I consider my win as a new turn for the women in India a new motivation that maybe someone else can do what I did so yes definitely optimistic,” she concluded.
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