{{Short description|Indian mixed martial artist}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Puja Tomar | image =Puja Tomar 2024.png | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = | other_names = Cyclone | nationality = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|12|05|df=y}} <!-- Adjust if exact birthdate confirmed --> | birth_place = Budhana, Uttar Pradesh, India | fighting_out_of = Bali, Indonesia | height = {{height|ft=4|in=9}} | weight_lb = 115 | weight_class = Bantamweight (2013) <br> Flyweight (2017) <br> Strawweight (2018–2020, 2022–present) <br> Atomweight (2021–2022) | reach = 59 in<ref name="Tapology">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/57555-pooja-thomar|title=Puja Tomar ("The Cyclone") {{!}} MMA Fighter Page|website=Tapology|language=en|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> | style = | stance = Orthodox | team = Soma Fight Club | rank = | trainer = | years_active = 2013, 2017–present | mma_kowin = 6 | mma_subwin = | mma_decwin = 3 | mma_koloss = 1 | mma_subloss = 5 | mma_decloss = | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | occupation = | relatives = | sherdog = 148323 | updated = }}
'''Puja Tomar''' (born December 25, 1993) is an Indian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She has also competed in Matrix Fight Night and ONE Championship.
==Background== Tomar was born in Budhana village in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Is Puja Tomar?: The Next Rising Star Of Indian MMA |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/who-is-puja-tomar-the-next-rising-star-of-indian-mma |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref> She began her martial arts training with wushu, eventually representing India at the World Wushu Championship. Facing hardship from an early age, Tomar has often spoken publicly about societal stigma for girls in sports and how martial arts became a means of self-empowerment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-22 |title=UFC London: Puja Tomar says her parents didn't want her because she was a girl |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cp8lr0p6d0ro |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref> She is a Christian.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Avantika |date=2026-05-01 |title=Ahead of her Macau fight, Puja Tomar opens up about pressure, faith and Indian MMA |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/sports-entertainment/2026/May/29/ahead-of-her-macau-fight-puja-tomar-opens-up-about-pressure-faith-and-indian-mma |access-date=2026-05-30 |website=Indulgexpress |language=en}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts career==
===Early career=== Tomar turned professional in 2013 and competed in regional promotion, Super Fight League, before she signed with ONE Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Puja |url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Puja-Tomar-148323 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=मैं बेटी थी तो मरने के लिए छोड़ दिया... कौन हैं UFC फाइटर पूजा तोमर, रिंग आते ही मचाती हैं तबाही |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/sports/boxing/i-was-a-daughter-so-i-was-left-to-die-india-ufc-fighter-puja-tomar-expressed-her-pain/articleshow/119239246.cms |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Navbharat Times}}</ref>
===ONE Championship=== In the ONE debut, Tomar faced Tiffany Teo on November 24, 2017, at ONE: Immortal Pursuit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2017-11-17 |title=ONE Championship: Immortal Pursuit Card Complete, Amir Khan Faces Adrian Pang in Co-Main Event |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2017/11/17/one-championship-immortal-pursuit-card-complete-amir-khan-faces-adrian-pang-co-main-event/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> She lost the fight via armbar in round one.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-24 |title=Tiffany Teo Targets ONE Gold After Submitting Puja Tomar |url=https://www.onefc.com/news/tiffany-teo-targets-one-gold-after-submitting-puja-tomar/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tomar faced Jihin Radzuan on March 9, 2018, at ONE: Visions of Victory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=2018-02-07 |title=ONE Championship Announces Several Fights for Visions of Victory, Including Bouts Featuring Christian Lee and Agilan Thani |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2018/02/07/one-championship-announces-several-fights-visions-victory-including-bouts-featuring-christian-lee-agilan-thani/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> She lost the fight via triangle choke in round two.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=2018-03-09 |title=ONE Championship: Visions of Victory Results |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2018/03/09/one-championship-visions-victory-results/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tomar faced Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol on January 19, 2019, at ONE: Eternal Glory. She won the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-20 |title=Puja Tomar Stuns Indonesia With Split Decision Win |url=https://www.onefc.com/news/puja-tomar-stuns-indonesia-with-split-decision-win/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tomar faced Stamp Fairtex on January 10, 2020, at ONE: A New Tomorrow.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2019-12-04 |title=Full Card Announced for ONE Championship: A New Tomorrow |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/12/04/full-card-announced-one-championship-new-tomorroq/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> She lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-11 |title=Stamp Fairtex Finishes Puja Tomar With First-Round TKO |url=https://www.onefc.com/news/stamp-fairtex-finishes-puja-tomar-with-first-round-tko/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Matrix Fight Night=== After released by ONE, Tomar faced Jojo Rajkumari on September 24, 2021, at Matrix Fight Night 6.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-20 |title=Indian atomweight Puja Tomar returns at Matrix Fight Night 6 |url=https://asianmma.com/indian-atomweight-puja-tomar-returns-at-matrix-fight-night-6/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Asian MMA |language=en}}</ref> She won the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-24 |title=MFN 6 Results: Anshul Jubli remains undefeated, Jacky Gahlot wins co-main event |url=https://lockerroom.in/blog/view/Matrix-Fight-Night-6-MFN-6-Results |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=LockerRoom India |language=en}}</ref>
Tomar faced Tenzin Pema on June 24, 2022, at Matrix Fight Night 9.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-30 |title=Jojo Rajkumari, Puja Tomar set for Matrix Fight Night 9 |url=https://asianmma.com/jojo-rajkumari-puja-tomar-set-for-matrix-fight-night-9/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Asian MMA |language=en}}</ref> She won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-24 |title=Matrix Fight Night 9 Results: Seth, Sanjeet and Jojo secure wins |url=https://lockerroom.in/blog/view/Matrix-Fight-Night-9-MFN-9-Results |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=LockerRoom India |language=en}}</ref>
Tomar faced Bi Nguyen in a rematch for the inaugural MFN Women's Strawweight Championship on November 18, 2022, at Matrix Fight Night 10.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=Bi Nguyen faces Puja Tomar at Matrix Fight Night 10 |url=https://asianmma.com/bi-nguyen-faces-puja-tomar-at-matrix-fight-night-10/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Asian MMA |language=en}}</ref> She won the title via technical knockout in the round two.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-19 |title=Matrix Fight Night 10 Results: Four New MFN Champions crowned at the event |url=https://lockerroom.in/blog/view/mfn-10-results |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=LockerRoom India |language=en}}</ref>
In the first title defense, Tomar was scheduled to face Feier Huang on July 1, 2023, at Matrix Fight Night 12.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-23 |title=Full fight card released for Matrix Fight Night 12 |url=https://asianmma.com/full-fight-card-released-for-matrix-fight-night-12/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Asian MMA |language=en}}</ref> However, Huang pulled out for unknown reasons and was replaced by Anastasia Feofanova.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-07 |title=Puja Tomar faces Anastasia Feofanova at Matrix Fight Night 12 |url=https://asianmma.com/puja-tomar-faces-anastasia-feofanova-at-matrix-fight-night-12/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Asian MMA |language=en}}</ref> She won the fight via technical knockout due to corner stoppage in round four.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-03 |title=MMA, Matrix Fight Night: Puja Tomar defeats Anastasia Feofanava to defend strawweight title |url=https://scroll.in/field/1051958/mma-matrix-fight-night-puja-tomar-defeats-anastasia-feofanava-to-defends-strawweight-title |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}</ref>
===Ultimate Fighting Championship=== On October 17, 2023, it was announced that Tomar signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), made her first Indian-born woman fighter in the promotion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-17 |title=UFC signs Puja Tomar, first India-born woman in promotion history |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/10/ufc-news-puja-tomar-signs-first-india-woman |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tomar made her UFC debut against Rayanne dos Santos on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=First Indian Female UFC Fighter Puja Tomar Set for Octagon Debut |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/First-Indian-Female-UFC-Fighter-Puja-Tomar-Set-for-Octagon-Debut-193036 |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=Sherdog}}</ref> She won the fight via split decision, becoming the first Indian woman to win a bout in the UFC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2024-06-08 |title=UFC Louisville: Puja Tomar Wins Narrow Decision Over Rayanne Amanda |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/06/08/ufc-louisville-puja-tomar-wins-narrow-decision-over-rayanne-amanda/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Cageside Press}}</ref> All 11 media outlets scored the bout in favor of dos Santos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Decisions |first=MMA |date=2024-06-08 |title=UFC Louisville: Puja Tomar vs. Rayanne dos Santos - Split Decision |url=http://mmadecisions.com/decision/14771/Puja-Tomar-vs-Rayanne-dos-Santos |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=MMA Decisions}}</ref>
Tomar faced Shauna Bannon on March 23, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 255.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-11-27 |title=Shauna Bannon Gets Puja Tomar at UFC London |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/11/27/shauna-bannon-gets-puja-tomar-at-ufc-london/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> She lost the fight via armbar in the third round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eddie |date=2025-03-22 |title=Shauna Bannon Scores First Finish Of UFC London Via Arm Bar |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/22/shauna-bannon-scores-first-finish-of-ufc-london-via-arm-bar/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tomar was scheduled to face Shi Ming on May 30, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 277.<ref>{{Cite web|title=India's history maker Puja Tomar lines up third UFC fight, looks to bounce back|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/indias-history-maker-puja-tomar-lines-up-third-ufc-fight-looks-to-bounce-back/|date=2026-03-17|access-date=2026-03-19|publisher=lowkickmma.com|author=Timothy Wheaton}}</ref> However, the pairing was pulled in order to serve as the featured bout of the Road to UFC Season 5 quarterfinals event a day earlier on May 29, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/road-to-ufc-queen-shi-ming-draws-puja-tomar-for-strawweight-showcase-in-macau/|title=Road to UFC queen Shi Ming draws Puja Tomar for strawweight showcase in Macau|publisher=lowkickmma.com|author=Timothy Wheaton|date=2026-03-31|access-date=2026-03-31}}</ref> She lost the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/road-to-ufc-queen-shi-ming-draws-puja-tomar-for-strawweight-showcase-in-macau/|title=Road to UFC queen Shi Ming draws Puja Tomar for strawweight showcase in Macau|publisher=lowkickmma.com|author=Timothy Wheaton|date=2026-03-31|access-date=2026-03-31}}</ref>
== Muay Thai career == ===ONE Championship=== Tomar made her ONE Super Series debut against Bi Nguyen on September 6, 2019, at ONE: Immortal Triumph.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-22 |title=Bi Nguyen faces Puja Tomar at ONE: 'Immortal Triumph' |url=https://asianmma.com/bi-nguyen-faces-puja-tomar-in-muay-thai-match-at-one-immortal-triumph/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Asian MMA |language=en}}</ref> She lost the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-06 |title='Killer Bee' Swarms Puja Tomar With Stinging Performance In Vietnam |url=https://www.onefc.com/news/killer-bee-swarms-puja-tomar-with-stinging-performance-in-vietnam/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments== ===Mixed martial arts=== * '''Matrix Fight Night''' ** Matrix Fight Night Women’s Strawweight Champion (One time)
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 6 | sub-wins= | dec-wins= 3 | ko-losses= 1 | sub-losses= 5 | dec-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|9–6 |Shi Ming |Submission (arm-triangle choke) |Road to UFC Season 5: Opening Round – Day 2 |{{dts|2026|May|29}} |align=center|1 |align=center|3:12 |Macau SAR, China | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|9–5 |Shauna Bannon |Submission (armbar) |UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady |{{dts|2025|March|23}} |align=center|2 |align=center|3:22 |London, England | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|9–4 |Rayanne dos Santos |Decision (split) |UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov |{{dts|2024|June|8}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|8–4 |Anastasia Feofanova |TKO (corner stoppage) |Matrix Fight Night 12 |{{dts|2023|July|1}} |align=center|4 |align=center|5:00 |Noida, India |{{small|Defended the MFN Women's Strawweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|7–4 |Bi Nguyen |TKO (punches) |Matrix Fight Night 10 |{{dts|2022|November|18}} |align=center|2 |align=center|2:52 |Dubai, United Arab Emirates |{{small|Return to Strawweight. Won the inaugural MFN Women's Strawweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|6–4 |Tenzin Pema |TKO (punches) |Matrix Fight Night 9 |{{dts|2022|June|24}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:20 |New Delhi, India | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|5–4 |Jojo Rajkumari |Decision (split) |Matrix Fight Night 6 |{{dts|2021|September|24}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Dubai, United Arab Emirates |{{small|Atomweight debut.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|4–4 |Stamp Fairtex |TKO (punches and elbows) |ONE: A New Tomorrow |{{dts|2020|January|10}} |align=center|1 |align=center|4:26 |Bangkok, Thailand | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|4–3 |Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol |Decision (split) |ONE: Eternal Glory |{{dts|2019|January|19}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Jakarta, Indonesia | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|3–3 |Jihin Radzuan |Submission (triangle choke) |ONE: Visions of Victory |{{dts|2018|March|9}} |align=center|2 |align=center|2:23 |Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |{{small|Strawweight debut.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|3–2 |Tiffany Teo |Submission (armbar) |ONE: Immortal Pursuit |{{dts|2017|November|24}} |align=center|1 |align=center|4:07 |Kallang, Singapore | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|3–1 |Thulasi Helen |TKO (punches) |Super Fight League 2017: Highway to Hurt |{{dts|2017|February|12}} |align=center|2 |align=center|1:32 |New Delhi, India | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|2–1 |Hannah Kampf |Submission (armbar) |Super Fight League 2017: Metro Mayhem |{{dts|2017|February|3}} |align=center|3 |align=center|2:01 |New Delhi, India |{{small|Flyweight debut.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|2–0 |Ishu Sood |KO (punch) |Super Fight League: Contenders 17 |{{dts|2013|October|19}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:24 |Nasik, India | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|1–0 |Priyanka Kadam |TKO (punches) |Super Fight League: Contenders 16 |{{dts|2013|October|15}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:21 |Nasik, India |{{small|Bantamweight debut.}} {{end}}
==See also== * List of current UFC fighters * List of female mixed martial artists
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tomar, Puja}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Indian female mixed martial artists Category:Strawweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing sanshou Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship female fighters Category:Indian sanshou practitioners Category:People from Muzaffarnagar district Category:Sportswomen from Uttar Pradesh