Maria Imran 
ATC bail rejection
Pakistan MMA fighters who won gold at the Pakistan Open MMA Championship 2026 are now preparing for the IMMAF World Championships in Georgia this November. The qualifier ran from 9 to 11 October and featured 28 top male and female finalists across 14 weight classes.
Pakistan MMA Fighters Eye World Gold in Georgia
National pride in individual athletes is already high, with Arshad Nadeem’s javelin success showing how one performer can lift the country’s profile. The MMA squad now carries similar hopes into a global arena.
Gold Medalists and Weight Classes
The men’s group is led by Rashid Gujjar (featherweight, 65.8 kg), Shams Khan (bantamweight, 61.2 kg), Ibrahim Butt (lightweight, 70.3 kg), Azeem Khan (lightweight), Asif Achakzai (welterweight, 77.1 kg) and Khizar Rehman (middleweight, 83.9 kg). Their spread across several divisions gives the team genuine breadth.
The women’s champions include Saria Khan (atomweight, 47.7 kg), Bushra Akhtar (strawweight, 52.2 kg), Maham Baig (flyweight, 56.7 kg) and Maliha Ali (bantamweight). Interest in combat sport at home is already visible, as coverage of the WrestleMania 41 women’s championship schedule shows, and a home-grown world medal could turn that attention towards real MMA athletes.
Federation Support and Pathways for Fighters
The squad has been mentored and organised under the Pakistan MMA Federation and its president, Omar Ahmed. Structured backing of this kind is central to preparing athletes for international competition.
Sporting audiences in Pakistan follow world events closely, from the World Test Championship final and the current WTC standings to the World Snooker Championship schedule. A strong showing in Georgia is therefore likely to draw wide attention.
The wider policy question concerns how combat sports can be supported beyond a single qualifier. Funding for travel and coaching, accredited gyms, anti-doping education and regular domestic events would help fighters sustain progress, and a clear federation calendar could turn a promising squad into a lasting medal pipeline.
Recommendation Tagline: More global sport stories worth following
Why Did Arshad Nadeem Withdraw?
Find the injury alert behind his Switzerland Silver Tour exit.
When Does WrestleMania 41 Begin?
Check out the dates, venue and women’s championship match details.
How Can Pakistan Watch WTC Final?
Dive into live viewing options for the June final at Lord’s.
Can Kyren Wilson Defend His Title?
See the schedule and opening match at the Crucible Theatre.
Who Is Chasing A WTC Final?
Go through the points system and the qualification picture.
