A fighter from Pulwama is making headlines in international mixed martial arts (MMA).
Owais Yaqoob has emerged as one of India's rising MMA talents after making history as the first fighter from Jammu and Kashmir to register a victory in BRAVE Combat Federation (BRAVE CF), one of the world's leading MMA promotions.
His journey from a small village in Pulwama to competing on the international stage has drawn attention to the growing popularity of combat sports in Kashmir.
Here's everything you need to know about Owais Yaqoob.
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Who Is Owais Yaqoob?
Owais Yaqoob is a professional mixed martial artist from Murran village in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Born in 1998, Owais developed an interest in martial arts at a young age. He began training in taekwondo in 2013 before expanding his skills into kickboxing and other combat disciplines.
During his amateur career, he won multiple medals at national competitions, building a strong foundation before transitioning to professional MMA.
Today, he competes in the lightweight division and is regarded as one of Kashmir's leading MMA fighters.
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How Did Owais Yaqoob Begin His MMA Journey?
After years of competing in taekwondo and kickboxing, Owais shifted his focus to mixed martial arts.
Unlike traditional martial arts, MMA combines striking, wrestling and grappling, requiring athletes to master multiple disciplines.
To prepare for professional competition, Owais trained extensively in wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and ground fighting while continuing to sharpen his striking skills.
The Fighter Who Started A Martial Arts Academy In Pulwama
Alongside his competitive career, Owais has worked to promote combat sports in Jammu and Kashmir.
In 2015, he founded Lion's Den Martial Arts Academy in Pulwama.
The academy trains young athletes in martial arts and fitness while encouraging greater participation in combat sports across the region.
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His Professional MMA Debut
Owais made his professional MMA debut at Matrix Fight Night 11 in New Delhi in 2023.
His first bout ended in a third-round submission defeat.
Instead of allowing the setback to define his career, he used the experience to improve his wrestling and grappling before returning to competition.
The lessons from his debut helped shape his development as a more complete mixed martial artist.
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Why Training In Dagestan Changed His Career
To strengthen his wrestling, Owais travelled to Dagestan, Russia, one of the world's most respected centres for mixed martial arts.
The region has produced champions such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, whose wrestling-based fighting styles have influenced modern MMA.
Training in Dagestan helped Owais improve his takedown defence, wrestling and overall fight strategy, adding a new dimension to his game before returning to international competition.
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The BRAVE CF Victory That Made History
Owais reached a major milestone when he competed in BRAVE Combat Federation.
His victory over Bulgaria's Delyan Georgiev marked a historic achievement, making him the first fighter from Jammu and Kashmir to register a win in the international promotion.
Georgiev had trained with Team Topuria, making the contest one of the most closely watched bouts on the card.
The victory earned Owais recognition from MMA fans across India and abroad and was congratulated by Jammu and Kashmir leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister Sakina Itoo.
What Makes Owais Yaqoob's Journey Different?
Owais Yaqoob's story reflects the growing rise of Indian fighters in global MMA.
From training in a small village in Pulwama to competing internationally, he has steadily built his career through years of discipline and continuous improvement.
Alongside his professional career, he continues to mentor young athletes through his academy while working towards his long-term goal of competing in the UFC.
As Indian MMA continues to grow, Owais remains one of the sport's most promising names from Jammu and Kashmir.
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TL;DR | News At Glance
Who is Owais Yaqoob?
Owais Yaqoob is a professional MMA fighter from Murran village in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.
When was Owais Yaqoob born?
He was born in 1998.
Where is Owais Yaqoob from?
He belongs to Murran village in Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir.
How did Owais Yaqoob begin martial arts?
He started training in taekwondo in 2013 before transitioning to kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
When did Owais Yaqoob make his professional MMA debut?
He made his professional debut at Matrix Fight Night 11 in 2023.
Why is Owais Yaqoob in the news?
He made history by becoming the first fighter from Jammu and Kashmir to secure a victory in BRAVE Combat Federation, bringing international attention to his MMA career.
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