Lahore: The Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PAKMMAF) held the first PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series at Fight HQ in Lahore, staging 12 high-level contests featuring some of the country’s leading mixed martial arts athletes.
The event was organised to help bridge the gap between domestic competition and international exposure as Pakistani fighters continue preparations for upcoming IMMAF World Championship assignments. The card was marked by commanding wins from twin sisters Maliha Ali and Manesha Ali, youth prospect Aurangzeb Ahmed and former national wrestling champion Rashid Gujjar.
Former National MMA Champion Manesha Ali produced the most notable performance of the night, earning a unanimous decision win over Karachi’s Imama and also receiving the Fight of the Night award. Representing Brave Gym and hailing from Hunza, Manesha remained in control over all three rounds, showing composure, technical quality and the experience that has made her one of Pakistan’s prominent female MMA athletes.
Her twin sister, Maliha Ali, completed a strong night for the family with an impressive victory against Quetta’s Sadia. The Hunza-born Brave Gym fighter entered the contest while giving away around five kilograms in weight to her opponent. A Wushu champion and national kickboxing gold medallist, Maliha displayed skill, resolve and resilience to underline her standing as one of Pakistan’s promising international prospects.
Rashid Gujjar, a former national wrestling champion, also recorded a significant win by defeating Qurban Khan in a much-awaited rematch. The result carried added importance for Gujjar, who avenged his defeat to Khan in the National Championship final. His performance highlighted his progress since moving from wrestling to mixed martial arts and further strengthened his profile ahead of international competition.
One of the evening’s most exciting moments came when Aurangzeb Ahmed delivered an emphatic knockout victory. Regarded as one of Pakistan’s brightest young MMA talents, Aurangzeb’s performance again underlined his potential as he prepares to represent the country at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi this August.
The results are being seen as important steps in Pakistan’s wider MMA ambitions. Maliha Ali, Manesha Ali and Rashid Gujjar will now increase preparations for the IMMAF World Championships in Georgia this November, while Aurangzeb Ahmed will focus on the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
The PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series has been launched to give athletes regular, high-standard competition similar to international events, while also creating a pathway towards opportunities with major professional MMA organisations.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb attended the event as chief guest and appreciated the federation’s work for the promotion of mixed martial arts among Pakistan’s youth. She said the rapid growth of MMA was helping create positive role models, encouraging healthier lifestyles and supporting stronger communities. She added that participation in sport keeps young people away from drugs, crime and other negative influences, improves mental health, reduces excessive screen time and builds discipline, resilience and character.
She also commended the Pakistan MMA Federation for providing opportunities that enable young athletes to follow their dreams through sport.
PAKMMAF President Omar Ahmed said the federation’s mission was not limited to winning medals. He said success also meant building a complete athlete development pathway that creates sustainable opportunities for every aspiring mixed martial artist in Pakistan.
He said the pathway begins in schools and colleges, moves through White Collar MMA, the Contender Series and the Pakistan Open, and then prepares athletes for the IMMAF World Championships and professional organisations. He added that the federation was working to develop world champions while creating opportunities for Pakistani athletes to sign with leading international promotions such as BRAVE CF, UAE Warriors and ACA.
Ahmed said Pakistan MMA was building a complete ecosystem for the sport rather than merely organising events. He also thanked the federation’s partners for their support, especially ACTIVIT and Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, saying their continued backing enables Pakistani athletes to compete internationally and raise the national flag on the world stage.
The inaugural PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series marked another step in the federation’s long-term athlete development strategy. By offering top Pakistani competitors valuable high-performance experience, the series is expected to play an important role in strengthening the country’s pathway to international success and preparing the next generation of mixed martial artists for IMMAF championships and professional careers.
