India, March 21 -- February was a particularly challenging month for the mixed martial arts (MMA) community in India. Two of the nation's most prominent fighters, Anshul Jubli and Ritu Phogat, faced significant defeats in the UFC and ONE Championship, respectively. As a result, all attention is now focused on Puja Tomar, who represents the aspirations of many as she prepares for her second UFC fight this Saturday.

Tomar has already made history as the first Indian to secure a victory in the UFC, but her journey is just beginning. As she gears up for her upcoming bout, the Muzaffarnagar native understands that another win could be vital for maintaining India's representation in the sport's premier organization.

Despite her groundbreaking debut victory against Brazil's Rayanne dos Santos last June, Tomar's life has not changed significantly. She continues to spend the majority of her year training in Bali, Indonesia, due to the limited availability of top-tier training facilities in India. Under the mentorship of striking coach Mike Ikelei at Soma Fight Club—who also trains Jubli—Tomar is diligently honing her skills.

"After that victory, I returned to my normal life in India. People recognized my efforts, but what surprised me the most was being acknowledged at airports and in Delhi," Tomar recounted in an interview with HT, arranged by broadcasters Sony Sports.

Her path into combat sports has been quite remarkable. A five-time Wushu champion, Tomar initially developed her passion for martial arts by watching Jackie Chan films, but her fighting spirit was deeply rooted in a desire to protect her mother and two sisters following her father's passing.

"My mother often says, 'I fought against the world for you, Pooja, and you proved it was all worthwhile,'" Tomar reflected. "Now, when I visit home, she proudly introduces me to others, saying, 'This is my daughter.' I can see a new level of happiness in her."

Prior to her entry into the UFC, the 31-year-old athlete established her credentials through various promotions, including Super Fight League, ONE Championship, and Matrix Fight Night (MFN). It was at MFN that she prominently displayed her striking abilities, especially during her strawweight title match against Russia's Anastasia Feofanova.

Nevertheless, achieving success in international MMA has proven to be a significant challenge for Indian fighters. Tomar's experience in ONE served as a sobering reminder of this reality, as she suffered four losses in five fights. Despite these setbacks and the lack of substantial support, both moral and financial, she remains determined to continue her journey.

"At present, people tend to focus solely on wins and losses, overlooking the struggles that accompany them," she remarked. "I want individuals to understand the effort required to reach this level. With adequate support, India could one day produce a UFC champion. However, we need that backing."

Tomar is now set to compete against Shauna Bannon, an Irish fighter with a strong striking foundation and a record of 6-1-0, which is slightly less impressive than Tomar's 9-4-0. Bannon has already fought in the UFC octagon twice, giving her a slight advantage in experience. Competing in London, she is anticipated to have the local crowd on her side.

"The audience in Louisville (during my UFC debut) was also substantial. I noticed only three or four Indians waving the flag, so I concentrated on them. In London, I expect to see many more, and I will focus solely on the chants for India," Tomar stated, remaining unfazed.

As the UFC aims to penetrate the Indian market, the demand for results intensifies. For Tomar, this is an opportunity to demonstrate that Indian fighters deserve a place on the global stage. This weekend, she has the chance to advance further toward that aspiration.

"I refuse to give up. If we put forth our best effort now, we will create opportunities for the next generation of Indian fighters in the UFC."

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