Puja Tomar: UFC’s Trailblazer Defying Cultural Norms in India

London, England – Puja Tomar, the only Indian woman to ever compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), shared her remarkable journey to resilience and success during an interview with BBC Sport. Born in Budhana, Uttar Pradesh, Tomar’s fight began before she even entered the world, as cultural norms favored boys over girls in her community.

“My family and this society doesn’t allow girls; they like only boys,” Tomar remarked. “Before I was born, they wanted a boy. Even when I was a newborn, my mum told me my father didn’t want a third girl.”

Gender bias in India is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, which often leads to a distorted sex ratio favoring males. A staggering 400,000 female births, representing 3% of total female births annually, are estimated to be missed due to gender-biased sex selection.

At 31 years old, Tomar faced numerous societal challenges as the third daughter. After losing her father at age seven, she channeled her grief into determination. “After that, I wanted to beat boys. I learned Jackie Chan movies and kung-fu to fight with them,” she said. “I wanted to prove myself.”

Despite obstacles, Tomar’s mother supported her ambitions, allowing her to pursue sports. “Nobody told me how to do it. My family – nobody allows girls to go outside in India. But my mum fought for this day,” Tomar explained.

Tomar made a successful UFC debut in June and is set to face Irish strawweight Shauna Bannon on Saturday at UFC London, which takes place at the O2 Arena. Through her platform, Tomar aspires to inspire parents in India to recognize the strength and potential of their daughters.

“I just want to tell every parent to be proud you have a girl. Give confidence to your girls, give belief to them,” she urged. “If I can do it, many more can. Just open the gate. Don’t think a girl is only there to make food; a girl can do anything, just give them opportunities.”

Since her debut, Tomar has noted a growing interest among parents in her village about how to introduce their daughters to mixed martial arts (MMA), an initiative she finds encouraging. Her journey from a girl facing cultural discrimination to a UFC fighter represents a significant milestone for women in sports.

Tomar began her MMA journey at around 24 years old, often facing difficulties finding affordable training facilities in India. “I was in MMA with no experience, no coach. Just sometimes I’d get help, but I had no coach,” she recounted. “MMA sports training is very hard in India. In my society, you have to be fully clothed when you train with men. It’s very hard.”

Eventually, she trained at Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia, where she still practices today. After earning a spot in the UFC in 2023 following a four-fight winning streak, Tomar continues to push boundaries and challenge societal norms. “I just want to work hard and keep going and win. One day I want to be on top,” she said emphatically.