Indian strawweight pioneer Puja Tomar is poised to embark on her third UFC fight, marking another significant milestone in a career that has already carved out new territory for mixed martial arts in India.
According to informed sources, Tomar has verbally agreed to an upcoming showdown with Chinese prospect Shi Ming. This highly anticipated matchup is slated for a UFC event in Macau on May 30, pending the finalization of bout agreements and an official announcement from the promotion.
If confirmed for the specified date, this fight will be Tomar’s third appearance inside the Octagon, following her armbar submission loss to Ireland’s Shauna Bannon at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady in London on March 22, 2025. That second UFC outing concluded at 3:22 of the second round. The upcoming Macau bout offers Tomar a swift opportunity to return to her winning ways, especially in front of a dedicated fanbase that has supported her since her tenure in various Asian promotions.
India’s History Maker Puja Tomar
Tomar cemented her place in history in October 2023 when the UFC officially announced her signing, making her the first India-born woman to join the prestigious roster. With a notable 8-4 record and a four-fight winning streak, this veteran of India’s Matrix Fight Night and former ONE Championship competitor arrived in the UFC having secured the inaugural Matrix Fight Night strawweight title. Her impressive run included a fourth-round stoppage of Anastasia Feofanova in July 2023 for the championship and a second-round TKO against Bi Nguyen in November 2022, performances that significantly drew the UFC’s attention.
Her UFC debut occurred on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57, where she faced Brazilian Rayanne dos Santos. In a closely contested striking exchange, Tomar secured a split decision victory, thereby becoming the first Indian woman to triumph in a UFC fight – a monumental achievement for mixed martial arts in her native country.
Currently competing in the strawweight division, Tomar trains at Soma Fight Club in Bali and has maintained a professional career since 2013. Her fighting record boasts multiple knockout victories, with several rapid finishes achieved in under thirty seconds during her time on the Indian circuit. This underscores her aggressive, forward-pressing style, deeply rooted in striking techniques and her Wushu background.
The upcoming clash with Shi Ming in Macau offers Tomar a pivotal opportunity to bounce back from her defeat to Bannon, reassert her presence in the highly competitive strawweight division, and deliver another thrilling performance for Indian MMA enthusiasts who have closely followed her remarkable progression from national Wushu champion to a UFC history maker. As the final bout agreement approaches completion, fans across India and China eagerly await the official announcement confirming the date, venue, and card positioning for her next significant challenge inside the Octagon.
