Historic Night for Pakistan MMA: Eight Fighters Qualify for World Championship, Five Secure Spots in Road to BRAVE
Lahore, August 29, 2025
Pakistan Combat Night – The Battle of Truth delivered a landmark moment for the country’s mixed martial arts (MMA) scene, as eight Pakistani fighters qualified for the IMMAF World Championship in Georgia, while five others booked their places in the Road to BRAVE 100 and the World Championship in Bahrain.
The high-energy event, organized by the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PAKMMAF) with support from the Government of Punjab, drew a packed stadium where fans cheered with the same intensity usually reserved for cricket. Every fight raised the excitement, and by the finale, the entire crowd was on its feet.
Fighters Who Qualified for IMMAF World Championship
Islamabad’s athletes dominated the Pakistan Open MMA Championship. Among those punching their tickets to Georgia were:
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Abdul Muan
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Maiz Satti
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Siddiqullah
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Ayan Hussain
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Shahab Ali
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Sajid Katoushi
Road to BRAVE 100 Highlights
The Road to BRAVE contests featured thrilling battles against international opponents:
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Aqib Awan defeated Egypt’s Alhassan Mohammed in the Flyweight division.
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Babar Ali overcame Azerbaijan’s Shirkhan Walili in Bantamweight.
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Zia Mashwani outclassed Iran’s Saman Moradmand.
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Rizwan Ali, in the main event, beat Egypt’s Adham Mohammed to raucous applause.
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In the women’s category, Eman Khan shocked the arena by knocking out Tunisia’s Maha in the very first round.
Government & International Recognition
Although abroad in Japan, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz closely followed the event’s updates. Punjab’s Sports Minister Faisal Khokhar pledged to elevate MMA as a central sport in the province, aiming to make Punjab the sports capital of Pakistan.
Fighters and delegations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Egypt, and Morocco praised Pakistan’s hospitality and event management, boosting the nation’s international sporting reputation.
Federation’s Vision
PAKMMAF President Umar Ahmed emphasized that MMA is more than just a sport—it is a cultural force that can strengthen Pakistan’s social fabric. He highlighted the federation’s goal of building intellectual properties with commercial value similar to cricket, while instilling discipline, determination, and national pride among youth.
The federation also collaborates with Pakistan Special Forces, helping enhance unarmed combat training, and with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to integrate MMA into universities, creating structured pathways for young athletes.
