Self-funded and unstoppable: Pakistan’s MMA team stuns the world at IMMAF 2025*

Pakistan’s Mixed Martial Arts fighters have delivered their country’s most powerful performance yet on the global stage, battling their way into the finals of the IMMAF World Championships 2025, the world’s most internationally recognised MMA Championship, and earning respect in a competition featuring more than 800 athletes from 72 countries.In a country where significant resources are devoted to its most favoured sports yet international results remain limited, Pakistan’s MMA movement, built independently without direct government funding, has become a story of belief, resilience, and national image-building. Every aspect of this historic campaign, from flights and accommodation to training camps, medical care, and competition expenses, was made possible entirely through private sponsorships and individual sacrifice, raised personally by Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PAKMMAF) President Omar Ahmed through his own network of contacts. Ahmed expressed his deep gratitude to the small circle of committed supporters, the true heroes behind this mission, whose belief and backing made this dream possible. “Without them, this journey would never have happened,” he said. “They didn’t just fund athletes; they invested in Pakistan’s future.”The heart of Pakistan’s campaign was the electrifying rise of Shahab Ali in the lightweight division (70.3 kg). His relentless will, technical precision, and warrior mindset saw him defeat Dmytro Broznytskkyi of Team Ukraine in a gruelling opening clash, overpower Prince Tafuna of Team Zambia, a continental champion and one of Africa’s most feared fighters, and deliver one of the fights of the championship against Qurbonali Shomahmadov of Team Tajikistan, the national champion and the most hyped new prospect in world MMA, in a finals performance hailed by international media as a potential Fight of the Year. Shahab’s dominance also earned him a nomination for Fighter of the Tournament, a rare honour that cements his place among the most exciting names in combat sports and marks Pakistan’s arrival as a serious contender on the international stage.Backing Shahab’s heroics were two more standout performances. Abdul Manan (Strawweight – 52.2 kg) showcased world-class composure and precision, defeating Danny Chiluba of Team Zambia and Aliyor Suvonberdiev, the reigning world champion, to reach the finals. Meanwhile, Ayyan Hussain (Featherweight – 65.8 kg) stunned the European circuit with a decisive victory over Kadirdzhan Isa of Team Bulgaria, proving that Pakistan’s next generation of fighters is ready to challenge and defeat the most established teams on the planet. At the conclusion of the championship, two Pakistani fighters stood proudly on the podium, medals around their necks, the result of winning multiple fights against some of the most respected and well-funded opponents in the world. These victories were not the product of privilege or institutional machinery but of will to succeed, desire to win, and an unbreakable determination to raise the green flag.The journey was not without adversity. Bano Butt, one of Pakistan’s most promising female athletes, suffered a serious arm fracture with nerve and ligament damage during competition and had to be admitted to hospital overnight, undergoing MRI and CT scans. All medical costs, described as “extremely expensive,” were covered entirely by the Federation and its President Omar Ahmed personally, further underscoring the scale of sacrifice behind this campaign.Industry insiders and analysts were quick to highlight the controversy around several split-decision losses against teams with far greater influence, a sign of how far Pakistan has come in upsetting the established order.The campaign also showcased the Federation’s long-term vision: building a world-class team from the ground up, funded entirely through private sponsors and individual support. While most competing nations rely on millions in state resources, Pakistan’s rise was fuelled by nothing more than will, discipline, and an unwavering refusal to quit.This broader vision has not gone unnoticed internationally. The Real World Fight League and Real Fight Project, launched by President Omar Ahmed and Qaim Abass, were nominated for the IMMAF Sustainability Awards, recognising their pioneering impact in destigmatising combat sports, building character among youth, and creating story-sharing platforms for mental health and resilience. These initiatives represent the next chapter in Pakistan’s sporting evolution, using MMA as a national tool for empowerment, education, and social change, while showing that sport can be more than competition: it can be a force that shapes minds, strengthens character, and builds the future. These programmes use MMA as a vehicle for empowerment, preparing a new generation to become future stakeholders in society.Further strengthening Pakistan’s influence on the combat sports map, Omar Ahmed, President of the Pakistan MMA Federation, now sits on the IMMAF Asia Board as Director for South Asia, ensuring the country has a strategic voice in shaping the future of MMA across the continent.Capping off a historic campaign in Georgia, the Pakistan contingent scored another big win at BRAVE CF 99 when Ismail Khan won in the first round against his Azerbaijani opponent. Ismail, a contracted professional fighter with BRAVE, first rose to prominence after winning at the IMMAF World Championships 2022 in Abu Dhabi. His story is a testament to the career pathway and athlete development model of the Pakistan MMA Federation, built around a self-sustaining sporting economy.The performance in Georgia marks a turning point, not just for MMA but for Pakistan’s sporting identity as a whole. Omar Ahmed believes that with consistent performances like this year after year, these results will pave the way for formal recognition from the Pakistan Olympic Committee and the Pakistan Sports Board, unlocking the next chapter in the country’s combat sports journey. The message to the world is now clear: Pakistan is not here to participate, it is here to challenge, disrupt, and win.