US Ambassador Sergio Gor Meets UFC Fighter Puja Tomar, Calls Her Journey ‘Inspiring’

New Delhi — US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor met Indian mixed martial artist Puja Tomar and praised her historic achievements in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, calling her journey an inspiring example of how sports can connect people across nations.

Sharing a picture of the meeting on X, Gor praised Tomar for breaking barriers on the global stage.

“Wonderful to meet Puja Tomar @pujatomar19, the first Indian woman to compete in the @UFC, and the first Indian fighter to win a UFC bout. Her journey is an incredible example of how sports can connect people and inspire the next generation!” Gor posted.

Tomar, who is from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, became the first Indian woman to earn a UFC contract. She also became the first fighter representing India to win a bout in the UFC after securing a victory in her debut.

Anshul Jubli and Bharat Kandare have also represented India in the UFC, while Canada-based Arjan Singh Bhullar has competed in the promotion as well.

Tomar, a Wushu fighter with an 8-4 record, including six knockouts and a four-fight winning streak, has emerged as a prominent figure for women in Indian combat sports.

Before entering the UFC, Tomar was a five-time national Wushu champion and competed in several international MMA events. She began training in Wushu at age 12, became a multiple-time national champion by 17 and later moved into professional MMA.

“Every fight is not just for victory, it’s for the millions of Indian girls who are told combat sports aren’t for them,” she wrote in her LinkedIn bio.

Tomar is currently based in Gurgaon and trains full-time at Soma Fight Club in Bali with coaches and sparring partners. (Source: IANS)