<p>In a historic moment for Indian sports, Puja Tomar - a UFC fighter, clinched her maiden win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, becoming the first Indian – male or female, to do so. Facing Brazil's Rayanne dos Santos in the women's strawweight division at UFC Louisville 2024 on June 8, Puja beat her opponent by split decision with scores of 30-27, 27-30, and 29-28.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">DEBUT DUBS 🙌<br />
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Puja Tomar takes the split decision at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCLouisville?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCLouisville</a> 🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/IMYkYlcDKj">pic.twitter.com/IMYkYlcDKj</a></p>
— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1799553620909990352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Both fighters brought their A-game to the battleground in the closely contested bout.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Muzaffarnagar-born Puja dominated the first round with few impactful body kicks, landing cleanly on her opponent. The Brazilian remained on the back foot in most of the first round, as Puja won it 30-27.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/endricks-injury-time-goal-helps-brazil-beat-mexico-in-copa-america-friendly-730061">Endrick’s injury-time goal helps Brazil beat Mexico in Copa America friendly</a></strong></p>

<p>Santos took her chance in the second round by coming hard on the Indian fighter. She kept forcing Puja to counter while moving backwards, putting pressure on her. Despite Puja continuing her strategy of using more kicks, she failed to bring the momentum on her side, as Santos won the round 27-30.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Puja Tomar is looking to make history in her UFC Debut! 🇮🇳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCLouisville?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCLouisville</a> <a href="https://t.co/mpjPTmHvFn">pic.twitter.com/mpjPTmHvFn</a></p>
— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1799552592152076458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The third and deciding round was as intense and evenly matched as any, as Puja’s swiftness and decisive push kick knockdown sealed the win for her, creating history.</p>

<h2>Time for a new beginning!</h2>

<p>Having earlier made history by becoming the first Indian woman fighter to secure a contract with UFC, Puja said she dedicates this win to the Indian fighters and MMA fans, adding everyone thought&nbsp;Indians could not win in this premier fighting competition.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"This win is for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters."<br />
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Puja Tomar made history as the first fighter from India to earn a victory in the UFC and believes this is just the beginning for Indian MMA.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCLouisville?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCLouisville</a> Results, Interviews &amp; More ➡️: <a href="https://t.co/q1sERicfLN">https://t.co/q1sERicfLN</a></p>
— UFC News (@UFCNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/UFCNews/status/1799573251217141788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>“I want to show the world that Indian fighters are not losers. We are going all the way up! We are not going to stop! We'll become a UFC champion soon!” she said after the win.</p>

<p>“This win is not my win, it's for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters. I walked out to my Indian song with the Indian flag, and I felt so proud. I had goosebumps. Inside (the Octagon), there was no pressure, I just thought, 'I have to win'. I took two or three punches, but I'm OK. I'm going to improve myself, and I'm going all the way up," she concluded.</p>


In a historic moment for Indian sports, Puja Tomar - a UFC fighter, clinched her maiden win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, becoming the first Indian – male or female, to do so.

In a historic moment for Indian sports, Puja Tomar - a UFC fighter, clinched her maiden win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, becoming the first Indian – male or female, to do so. Facing Brazil's Rayanne dos Santos in the women's strawweight division at UFC Louisville 2024 on June 8, Puja beat her opponent by split decision with scores of 30-27, 27-30, and 29-28. DEBUT DUBS 🙌 Puja Tomar takes the split decision at #UFCLouisville 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IMYkYlcDKj — UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2024 × Both fighters brought their A-game to the battleground in the closely contested bout. Muzaffarnagar-born Puja dominated the first round with few impactful body kicks, landing cleanly on her opponent. The Brazilian remained on the back foot in most of the first round, as Puja won it 30-27. ALSO READ: Endrick’s injury-time goal helps Brazil beat Mexico in Copa America friendly Santos took her chance in the second round by coming hard on the Indian fighter. She kept forcing Puja to counter while moving backwards, putting pressure on her. Despite Puja continuing her strategy of using more kicks, she failed to bring the momentum on her side, as Santos won the round 27-30. Puja Tomar is looking to make history in her UFC Debut! 🇮🇳#UFCLouisville pic.twitter.com/mpjPTmHvFn — UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2024 × The third and deciding round was as intense and evenly matched as any, as Puja’s swiftness and decisive push kick knockdown sealed the win for her, creating history. Time for a new beginning! Having earlier made history by becoming the first Indian woman fighter to secure a contract with UFC, Puja said she dedicates this win to the Indian fighters and MMA fans, adding everyone thought Indians could not win in this premier fighting competition. "This win is for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters." Puja Tomar made history as the first fighter from India to earn a victory in the UFC and believes this is just the beginning for Indian MMA.#UFCLouisville Results, Interviews & More ➡️: https://t.co/q1sERicfLN — UFC News (@UFCNews) June 8, 2024 × “I want to show the world that Indian fighters are not losers. We are going all the way up! We are not going to stop! We'll become a UFC champion soon!” she said after the win. “This win is not my win, it's for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters. I walked out to my Indian song with the Indian flag, and I felt so proud. I had goosebumps. Inside (the Octagon), there was no pressure, I just thought, 'I have to win'. I took two or three punches, but I'm OK. I'm going to improve myself, and I'm going all the way up," she concluded.

Uttar Pradesh’s Puja Tomar becomes first Indian to win a UFC fight, beats Brazil's Rayanne by split decision

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Uttar Pradesh’s Puja Tomar becomes first Indian to win a UFC fight, beats Brazil's Rayanne by split decision