LAHORE: Pakistan’s Maliha Ali produced one of the standout performances of the IMMAF World Championships, defeating Russia’s Veronika Drozdova in a thrilling contest in Georgia.
Drozdova, a two-time European champion and one of Russia’s highly rated rising MMA fighters, had arrived at the championship with a strong reputation and was considered a clear favourite in her weight division.
Russia entered the event with a formidable squad of more than 60 athletes, competing across several weight categories. The country is widely regarded as one of the strongest forces in international MMA, with an established infrastructure, international pedigree and backing from government and national sponsors including Gazprom.
Maliha, however, delivered a composed and commanding performance. She displayed sharp striking, intelligent movement and strong cage control to overcome her Russian opponent and register a major victory for Pakistan.
Hailing from Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Maliha trains at BRAVE Gym Lahore along with her twin sister Manisha Ali. She is trained under the guidance and mentorship of Omar Ahmed, President of the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, who was present in her corner during the fight.
Maliha and Manisha are being viewed as among Pakistan’s most promising MMA prospects. Their rise from Hunza to the international stage has highlighted the potential of Pakistan’s emerging sporting talent.
Maliha’s win was not only an individual achievement but also an important result for Pakistan’s growing presence in international MMA. The victory underlined the progress of the country’s athlete development pathway, linking national championships with Asian and World Championships and the professional MMA stage.
Against one of the strongest teams in the competition, Pakistan’s young fighter from Hunza produced a breakthrough performance, offering a clear sign of the country’s growing potential in the sport.
