Pakistan MMA produced a landmark showing at the IMMAF World Championships 2025 in Georgia, advancing multiple fighters to finals and securing podium finishes against well-funded international opponents. The performance has been hailed at home as a turning point for the sport and for Pakistan’s sporting identity.
The entire campaign was organised by the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation and led by President Omar Ahmed, who raised travel, training, accommodation and medical costs through private sponsors and personal networks. That self-funded model underlined the resilience behind this breakthrough and the federation’s commitment to building a sustainable pathway for athletes.
The spotlight belonged to lightweight Shahab Ali, whose relentless pressure and technical poise saw him overcome Dmytro Broznytskkyi of Ukraine, toppling Prince Tafuna of Zambia, and delivering a finals performance against Qurbonali Shomahmadov of Tajikistan that was widely praised by international media. Shahab earned a nomination for Fighter of the Tournament, a rare distinction that cements his status as one of the sport’s most exciting rising names.
Two other Pakistanis produced standout runs. Strawweight Abdul Manan defeated Danny Chiluba of Zambia and then beat reigning world champion Aliyor Suvonberdiev to reach the final, while featherweight Ayyan Hussain stunned European competition with a decisive victory over Kadirdzhan Isa of Bulgaria. At the close of the championships, Pakistan celebrated multiple medalists who won against established and well-resourced teams.
The campaign also came with adversity. Female prospect Bano Butt suffered a serious arm fracture with nerve and ligament damage and required overnight hospital care, MRI and CT scans. All medical bills were covered by the federation and by Omar Ahmed personally, underscoring the scale of sacrifice behind this effort.
Observers noted a number of controversial split-decision losses against teams with greater influence, a sign that Pakistan MMA is already disrupting the established order and pushing for fairer recognition on the world stage. The federation has framed these outcomes as part of a learning curve while pressing ahead with long-term development.
Beyond competition results, Pakistan’s programme is expanding its footprint. The Real World Fight League and Real Fight Project, launched by Omar Ahmed and Qaim Abass, received nominations for the IMMAF Sustainability Awards for work on destigmatising combat sports and using MMA as a vehicle for youth empowerment and mental health story sharing. Omar Ahmed also now serves on the IMMAF Asia Board as Director for South Asia, giving Pakistan a strategic voice in continental decisions.
Pakistan’s influence was further underlined at BRAVE CF 99 in Georgia, where professional fighter Ismail Khan scored a first-round victory, reinforcing the federation’s athlete development pathway that began with IMMAF success in Abu Dhabi 2022. The federation says consistent performances like these could pave the way for formal recognition from the Pakistan Olympic Committee and the Pakistan Sports Board, opening new avenues for funding and athlete support.
The IMMAF 2025 campaign has left a clear message: Pakistan MMA is self-funded, disciplined and determined to challenge the global order. With a growing crop of medalists and new institutional links, the sport is carving a distinct role in Pakistan’s wider sporting landscape.
