Ali twins shine as PAKMMAF Contender Series boosts Pakistan’s IMMAF preparations

Lahore: The Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PAKMMAF) successfully organised the inaugural PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series at Fight HQ in Lahore, where some of the country’s leading mixed martial artists featured in an action-filled card comprising 12 elite contests.

The event was arranged to help bridge the gap between domestic competition and the international arena, offering Pakistan’s emerging MMA athletes valuable high-level exposure as they continue preparations for upcoming IMMAF World Championship campaigns.

The night was led by impressive victories from twin sisters Maliha Ali and Manesha Ali, rising youth prospect Aurangzeb Ahmed and former national wrestling champion Rashid Gujjar.

Former National MMA Champion Manesha Ali produced one of the strongest performances of the event, securing a dominant unanimous decision win over Karachi’s Imama. The Brave Gym athlete from Hunza controlled the contest across all three rounds and was also awarded the Fight of the Night honour.

Manesha, an accomplished international competitor, displayed composure, technical quality and championship pedigree, reinforcing her position among Pakistan’s leading female mixed martial artists.

Her twin sister, Maliha Ali, also impressed as she defeated Quetta’s Sadia despite giving away approximately five kilograms in weight. The Hunza-born Brave Gym fighter, who is a Wushu champion and national kickboxing gold medallist, showed skill, determination and resilience throughout the contest.

Maliha’s victory completed a perfect evening for the Ali sisters and further strengthened her standing as one of Pakistan’s promising international MMA prospects.

Former national wrestling champion Rashid Gujjar also registered an important win, defeating Qurban Khan in a much-anticipated rematch. The result was significant as Gujjar avenged his defeat to Khan in the National Championship final, underlining his development since moving from wrestling to mixed martial arts.

Aurangzeb Ahmed, regarded as one of Pakistan’s brightest young MMA talents, delivered one of the most exciting moments of the evening with an emphatic knockout victory. His performance further highlighted his potential ahead of his participation in the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi this August.

The victories are being viewed as important steps in Pakistan’s growing international MMA campaign. Maliha Ali, Manesha Ali and Rashid Gujjar will now increase their 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 provide athletes with regular, high-standard competition similar to the demands of international events. It is also aimed at creating a pathway towards opportunities with leading professional MMA organisations.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who attended the event as chief guest, appreciated the federation’s work for the promotion of mixed martial arts among Pakistan’s youth. She said the rapid growth of MMA was producing positive role models for young people while encouraging healthier lifestyles and stronger communities.

She noted that participation in sport helps keep 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 pursue their dreams through sport.

PAKMMAF President Omar Ahmed said the federation’s vision was not limited to winning medals at the international level.

“Success isn’t measured solely by medals. Success is building a complete athlete development pathway that creates sustainable opportunities for every aspiring mixed martial artist in Pakistan. Our pathway begins in schools and colleges, progresses through White Collar MMA, the Contender Series and the Pakistan Open before preparing athletes for IMMAF World Championships and ultimately professional organisations. We are building world champions while creating opportunities for Pakistani athletes to sign with leading international promotions such as BRAVE CF, UAE Warriors and ACA. Pakistan MMA is building a complete ecosystem for the sport, not simply organising events,” he said.

Ahmed also thanked the federation’s partners for their continued support for the development of MMA in Pakistan.

“A special thank you to ACTIVIT and Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for once again believing in Pakistani MMA. Their continued support allows our athletes to compete internationally and proudly raise the Pakistan flag on the world stage,” he said.

The inaugural PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series marked another key step in the federation’s long-term athlete development strategy. By providing top Pakistani competitors with high-performance experience, the event strengthened the country’s pathway towards international success.

With Pakistan continuing to produce athletes capable of competing at the highest level, the Contender Series is expected to play an important role in developing future IMMAF champions and guiding the next generation of Pakistani mixed martial artists towards professional careers.