Omar, Rizwan honoured with ‘Pride of Pakistan’ by ISPR for trailblasing contributions to MMA

TTTS Report :

Omar Ahmed and Rizwan Ali have been awarded the prestigious ‘Pride of Pakistan’ honour by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The recognition marks a turning point in the national sporting narrative, where Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has stepped out of the shadows and into the mainstream, driven by the relentless efforts of a visionary administrator and an undefeated national icon.

The award acknowledges two contrasting but complementary journeys. On one hand is Omar Ahmed, President of Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PAKMMAF), whose visionary leadership and personal investment have elevated Pakistan’s status in global MMA circles. On the other is Rizwan Ali, the nation’s top lightweight fighter, whose explosive talent and discipline have made him a force to be reckoned with across Asia.

Omar Ahmed’s contributions go far beyond standard federation leadership. He has not only built platforms but funded them from his own pocket, personally leading the national MMA team to multiple IMMAF World and Continental Championships in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Serbia. These international campaigns were mounted without a single rupee in government funding, and yet, the Pakistani contingent returned with medals, defeating seasoned athletes from the world’s top MMA nations.

Perhaps his most remarkable achievement came in 2023, when he orchestrated the Asian MMA Championship in Islamabad, hosting over 300 athletes from 18 countries. It became the largest international sporting event in Pakistan’s history, surpassing even the 1996 Cricket World Cup and the 2004 South Asian Games in terms of global reach and participation. The championship was broadcast in 140 countries, translated into 22 languages, and reached more than 20 million households worldwide. Pakistan’s team clinched 12 medals, including two golds, drawing commendation from the Prime Minister himself.

Omar also successfully brought BRAVE Combat Federation, the world’s most internationally active MMA promotion, to Pakistan with BRAVE CF 85, establishing international credibility and forging lucrative career paths for local fighters. The momentum carried into BRAVE CF 92 in Bahrain, where Pakistan’s fighters, under his leadership, famously swept India 5-0, cementing Pakistan’s arrival on the professional MMA stage.

His work didn’t stop at events. Omar designed a federated governance structure that allowed for long-term planning, content monetisation, and media partnerships, elements rarely seen in Pakistan’s sports ecosystem outside of cricket. He integrated MMA into the Higher Education Commission’s framework, allowing universities to formally adopt the sport. He launched the Real World Fight League to de-stigmatise combat sports and promote mental health awareness. And in an unprecedented civilian contribution, he developed and delivered unarmed combat training at the National Police Academy and even conducted an elite-level Professional Unarmed Combat Course for the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG) at Cherat.

At the heart of this MMA revolution stands Rizwan Ali, a fighter who has become a national symbol of resilience, power, and excellence. Undefeated in his professional career with a record of 9 wins and 0 losses, including 8 finishes by knockout or submission, Rizwan represents Pakistan’s arrival on the global MMA scene. In 2024, he delivered three back-to-back knockouts against India, first in April (Dubai), then in August (Lahore), and finally in December (Bahrain), each one more decisive than the last. His performances earned him the title of Asia’s No. 1 Lightweight MMA Fighter, and the coveted “Knockout of the Year” at the MMA Global Awards, the sport’s equivalent of the Oscars.

Behind Rizwan’s success is none other than Omar Ahmed, who has been personally managing and cornering him. Omar’s tactical mentorship and emotional guidance have been instrumental in Rizwan’s development and dominance. Their relationship represents a model of athlete development rarely seen in Pakistan, one built on trust, high standards, and long-term vision.

The ‘Pride of Pakistan’ recognition is more than a ceremonial honour, it is a proof of intent. It signals that Pakistan is no longer content being a footnote in global sports. With Omar’s leadership and Rizwan’s excellence, MMA is being positioned not just as a sport, but as a national asset, capable of building careers, fostering discipline, and commanding global respect.

As Pakistan continues to carve out its identity in the world of combat sports, this recognition from ISPR marks the beginning of a new chapter, where grit, vision, and patriotism come together in the cage, and beyond.