Puja Tomar etched her name in UFC history on Saturday night, becoming the first Indian woman to win inside the Octagon. Facing Rayanne Amanda in the opening bout of the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 57, Tomar emerged victorious via a hard-fought split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28).
While the win secured her place in the history books, Tomar acknowledged that the fight didn’t go exactly according to plan. “My coach was a little bit angry because his game plan was (better),” she revealed in her post-fight interview. “But it’s OK. I won. I feel like my striking was better than her.”
Tomar’s resilience shone through as she successfully defended all three of Amanda’s takedown attempts, relying on her superior striking to claim victory. The significance of the win wasn’t lost on Tomar. “This win is for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters,” she declared with pride. “There was no pressure, but inside, I’d think, ‘I have to win.'”
Walking out to the cheers of the crowd, draped in the Indian flag, was a moment that sent shivers down Tomar’s spine. “I feel so proud,” she beamed. This victory is more than just a win; it’s a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring Indian MMA fighters.
Looking ahead, Tomar has her sights set on climbing the rankings. “I’m not happy with this performance, but I’m going to improve myself and I’m going to be all the way up,” she declared with unwavering determination. While acknowledging room for improvement, Tomar’s unwavering spirit and hunger to evolve suggest an exciting future for the history-making fighter.
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