Eight Pakistani mixed martial arts fighters have qualified for the World MMA Championship in Georgia, while five more have secured spots in both the highly anticipated Road to BRAVE 100 tournament and the World Championship in Bahrain. This achievement came during the nationally televised “Battle of Truth – Pakistan Combat Night,” a landmark event that has positioned MMA as one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing sports.
Held in Lahore and organised by the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PAKMMAF) with the support of Punjab’s government, the event drew an unusually energetic crowd whose passion rivaled the nation’s famed cricket supporters. Spectators remained engaged from the opening bout to the final bell, underscoring the surging popularity of MMA across the country.
Islamabad’s fighters made a particularly strong showing at the event. Abdul Manan, Moiz Satti, Siddiq Ullah, Ayan Hussain, Shahab Ali, and Sajid Katoshi each won their matches in the Pakistan Open MMA Championship, booking their places at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championship in Georgia.
The Road to BRAVE 100 lineup provided its own drama. Among the standout performances, Aqib Awan defeated Egypt’s Al-Hassan Muhammad in the flyweight category, Babar Ali bested Azerbaijan’s Shirkhan Valili at bantamweight, and Zia Mashwani overcame Iran’s Saman Moradmand. In a highly anticipated main event, Rizwan Ali triumphed over Egypt’s Adham Muhammad to a standing ovation. Women’s MMA also took center stage, with Eman Khan earning a first-round knockout victory over Tunisia’s Maha, marking a milestone for female athletes in the sport.
Although Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was abroad at the time, she remained closely informed about the event. Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Khokhar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making MMA a core part of his strategy to transform Punjab into the country’s sports powerhouse.
The event reached millions through live broadcasts on ARY Sports, PTV Sports, and various digital platforms. It also received international coverage from outlets such as BBC Urdu, Arab News, and The Independent UK. Visiting fighters from countries including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Egypt, and Morocco praised the host nation’s hospitality and organsiational capabilities, enhancing Pakistan’s global reputation.
Highlighting MMA’s broader role in the country, PAKMMAF President Omar Ahmed said the sport has the potential to inspire social change and national pride among Pakistani youth. He outlined the federation’s mission to develop a commercial and cultural property that could eventually rival cricket in scale and impact.
Ahmed also noted a strategic partnership with Pakistan’s Special Forces, with many officers attending the event, and said that integrating MMA into military training has already boosted operational skills, with further collaboration planned. In addition, the federation is working with the Higher Education Commission to introduce MMA into university sports programs, offering structured opportunities for the next generation.
The event came shortly after both Ahmed and Rizwan Ali were honored by the military’s public relations wing (ISPR) with the Pride of Pakistan for their contributions to developing the sport. With packed stands, nationwide coverage, and international acclaim, Pakistan Combat Night has emerged as a defining moment for MMA, signaling the rise of a new national sporting frontier that promises to unite, inspire, and elevate the country’s youth on the world stage.
