Puja Tomar’s journey to the UFC is nothing short of inspiring. Hailing from India, she battled through adversity to become the country’s first female fighter in the world’s biggest MMA promotion. In her debut fight, she impressed one and all with a dominating performance against Rayanne dos Santos. Tomar won the fight via split decision, thus paving the way for more Indian athletes.
The fans now want to know more about this 31-year-old talented young fighter. While it is very clear that she hails from India, not much is known about her religion and ethnicity. As she prepares for her second UFC fight against Shauna Bannon at UFC Fight Night 254, we take a closer look at the religion she follows in her personal life.
What is Puja Tomar’s ethnicity and nationality?
Puja Tomar, a rising name in the world of mixed martial arts hails from the small town of Budhana in Northern India. Born into a family of farmers, she grew up surrounded by the hard work and resilience that defines rural life. However, tragedy struck early—when Tomar was just seven years old, she and her two older sisters suffered the devastating loss of their father. Despite the hardships, this wushu stylist found strength in adversity, forging a path that would eventually lead her to the world’s biggest stage in mixed martial arts. Born and raised in India, she carries both the nationality and cultural heritage of her homeland. As an Indian athlete, she is deeply rooted in the diverse traditions and rich history of the country.
Tomar’s journey in combat sports reflects the resilience and warrior spirit often associated with Indian fighters. She started with a background in wushu, a martial art with strong ties to Asian culture, before transitioning into professional MMA. Her success in various promotions, and now in the UFC, has placed her among India’s most notable martial artists. Tomar’s mother has also played a vital role in helping her shape her career. “Puja, just fight,” these three words from her mother are the mantra behind Tomar’s journey to the UFC. Before her debut in 2024 during an interview with UFC.com, the 31-year-old pointed out what her mother actually wanted from her.
She said, ”’Puja, I want to see you in UFC.’ I just say, ‘Yeah, mama, I train, and one day I’m going to UFC.’ And when I told her that now I’m in UFC, she was crying and she’s so excited and so happy.” A UFC debut is always a significant moment, but for Puja Tomar, it carried even greater weight. The 31-year-old fighter from Muzaffarnagar isn’t just stepping into the Octagon for herself or her family—she’s carrying the pride of an entire nation. India has yet to establish itself as a dominant force in MMA, making Tomar’s presence all the more groundbreaking. But what religion does she follow? Let us find out about it below.
Puja Tomar’s Religion: Is she a Christian or Hindu?
Puja Tomar has always been vocal about her religion and has made it clear that she is a proper Hindu. However, she does take inspiration from Jesus Christ as well, as revealed by her during an interview one year back. On being asked about her religious beliefs, the 31-year-old said, “I follow Jesus. But what happens is that people on social media if I call them Jesus, they think that I have converted. That I have become Christian. They have given her money. It is not like that. I am a Hindu. I am Puja Tomar.”
She then pointed out the only reason for her believing in Jesus and said, “A different relationship with him just like a father. I have accepted that I don’t have a father, but there is someone whom I can talk to.” The 31-year-old fighter has a tough task ahead of her when she takes on the 6-1-0 fighter. In her last fight, she proved to the world that she had all the skill sets to trouble anyone in the division. However, in the UFC, the challenge just keeps on increasing as you face different opponents.
Will she be able to keep her winning momentum going? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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