In Dubai, Uloomi Karim becomes ‘first’ Pakistani fighter to win title at Indian MMA event

KHAPLU: Pakistani mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Uloomi Karim has become the “first” Pakistani to win a title fight at an Indian MMA promotion, he said on Sunday, after he knocked out his Indian opponent at the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) in Dubai. 

Karim knocked out India's Dhruv Chowdary to win the bantamweight title at the 10th edition of Matrix Fight Night (MFN) tournament in Dubai on Friday. 

The event, India’s biggest MMA promotion, was co-organized by Bollywood star Tiger Shroff at the Palazzo Versace in Dubai, featuring fighters from all over the world.  

Karim’s fight against Chowdary for the bantamweight title was one of the main events of the night as fighters from the two neighbouring countries put on a show inside the octagon. 

Karim showcased his class by knocking out his opponent in the first round of the match, bringing the highly-anticipated clash to an end within a few minutes of the start.  

“I am the first Pakistani who fought in an Indian promotion for a title belt and won the title,” Karim told Arab News over the phone on Sunday. 

The 31-year-old, who hails from Pakistan’s northern Hunza district, has so far won nine fights and lost six in his professional career.  

Karim, who is part of Team Fight Fortress in Pakistan, said he trained for two months for the fight against Chowdary. 

“To fight [with] Dhruv, I had my fight camp at my second home, Team Fairtex, in Thailand,” he said. 

"When I found out about this fight, I prepared a plan in my mind. I kept working on that same game plan for two months and finally got to execute it in a dominating fashion." 

Karim said he tore multiple tendons in his right arm weeks before the fight but still pushed through it at the camp. 

"I’ve always said it and will always say it that keep doing what you love. Keep supporting [others] and stay positive," he added.