Rizwan Ali lights up Maarka-e-Haq as Pakistan MMA marks historic night

 

Rizwan Ali lights up Maarka-e-Haq as Pakistan MMA marks historic night

 

Asher Butt

Pakistan’s mixed martial arts community roared into history on Sunday night as the Maarka-e-Haq Combat Night turned the DHA Phase 6 Sports Complex into a cauldron of pride, grit, and international recognition.

Organized by the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PakMMA), the event featured a double attraction: the Pakistan Open MMA Championship and the Road to BRAVE 100 Qualifiers. Together, they not only showcased the country’s homegrown talent but also cemented Pakistan’s presence on the global MMA stage.

 

Rizwan Ali: The face of a new era

The headline bout belonged to Rizwan Ali, who powered past Egypt’s Adham Muhammad with tactical brilliance and relentless energy, sealing the fight in the third round.

“When I hold the Pakistani flag, I feel unstoppable. My dream is to represent Pakistan in the UFC,” Rizwan told the roaring crowd, waving the green flag high.

The victory builds on his celebrated triumph over an Indian opponent last year, positioning him as Pakistan’s brightest hope in international MMA.

 

Islamabad fighters dominate Pakistan Open

Earlier in the evening, Islamabad’s warriors took center stage in the Pakistan Open MMA Championship. Names like Abdul Manan, Muiz Satti, Siddiq Ullah, Ayan Hussain, Shahab Ali, and Sajid Katushi all stormed to victory, securing coveted slots at the IMMAF World Championship in Georgia.

Highlights included:

• Shahab Ali’s thunderous knockout, which sent shockwaves through the arena.
• Sajid Katushi’s ground mastery, praised by coaches and fans alike.

 

Pakistan stands tall in Road to BRAVE 100

In the international contests, Pakistan’s fighters stood toe-to-toe with elite opponents from Egypt, Iran, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan. The stakes? Qualification for BRAVE CF 100 in Bahrain.

• Aaqib Awan dominated Egypt’s Al Hassan Muhammad (flyweight).
• Babar Ali edged Azerbaijan’s Shirkhan Valili in a fiery bantamweight bout.
• Zia Mashwani, nursing an MCL injury, showed grit to defeat Iran’s Saman Moradmand.
• Ismail Khan delivered a ruthless opening-round knockout of Zubair Khan.
• And perhaps the night’s loudest ovation? Iman Khan—the Falcon—who floored Tunisia’s Maha Houmeil in the first round, a watershed moment for Pakistani women in MMA.

 

Women breaking barriers

Iman Khan’s victory wasn’t just another win; it was a statement.

“I train year-round and dream of becoming a world champion,” she said. “Even if women don’t want to compete, they should at least train—to empower themselves.”

Her fearless performance highlighted the growing role of women in Pakistan’s combat sports scene, inspiring cheers well beyond the cage.

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A turning point for Pakistani MMA

With over 200 fighters competing and international scouts watching, Maarka-e-Haq was no ordinary event—it was a declaration.

PakMMA President Umar Ahmed called it a “turning point.”

“This event proved the depth of our talent. With the Punjab government’s support, we’re building a system where fighters can thrive—just like PCB did for cricket.”

By night’s end, eight fighters booked tickets to Georgia for the IMMAF Worlds, while five sealed qualification for BRAVE CF 100 in Bahrain.

 

The road ahead

Pakistan MMA has often been an underdog story. But on this night, the fighters inside the cage proved they’re ready for the global stage.

From Rizwan Ali’s heroic triumph to Iman Khan’s trailblazing knockout, Maarka-e-Haq wasn’t just a fight night—it was the birth of a movement.

The message was clear: Pakistan’s MMA community has arrived, and it’s here to stay.