Kashmiri MMA star Owais Yaqoob wins fight in Uzbekistan
Pulwama: Kashmir’s rising Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sensation Owais Yaqoob delivered a commanding performance on the international stage, clinching a first-round victory at BRAVE CF 103 in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
Training at the prestigious American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) under the guidance of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, Yaqoob showcased sharp striking, composure, and tactical maturity, leaving fans and fellow fighters impressed with his explosive display inside the cage.
The victory comes as a significant morale boost for Indian MMA, which has endured a challenging year marked by multiple setbacks at the global elite level. Yaqoob’s performance stood out as a rare high point, rekindling hope among Indian fight fans.
Originally slated to face Zakharuddin Gafurov, Yaqoob was forced to adapt when his opponent withdrew weeks before the event. Rising to the challenge, he instead took on Mehmet Jan Tasdov in a lightweight bout — a change that did little to disrupt his momentum.
Displaying relentless aggression and superior technique, Yaqoob sealed the contest with a first-round finish, extending his unbeaten run and underlining his growing reputation as one of India’s most promising MMA prospects.
“Alhamdulillah, won with a first-round finish,” Yaqoob posted on social media after the bout, sharing images of his victory celebration with the Indian flag.
Yaqoob’s rapid evolution as a fighter has been fueled by his exposure to world-class training partners, including Islam Makhachev and other elite Dagestani fighters at AKA. A marked improvement in his grappling, fight IQ, and overall confidence during the BRAVE CF outing.
With this win, Yaqoob has now pushed his professional MMA record to 5 wins and 1 loss, the lone defeat coming against Neeraj Panghal in his professional debut at Matrix Fight Night 11.
The Kashmiri fighter also revealed that he trained extensively with Indian UFC fighter Anshul Jubli during his camp for BRAVE CF 103. Speaking after the fight, Yaqoob credited the Indian MMA ecosystem for his growth.
“I want to thank my training partners in India, especially UFC fighter Anshul Jubli,” Yaqoob said. “We worked extremely hard with many coaches during this camp and proved here that Indian fighters are among the best in the world.”
Ambitious and focused, Yaqoob has set his sights firmly on the top. He expressed his desire to face tougher opponents and made it clear that his ultimate goal is to become the first BRAVE CF champion from India.
Meanwhile, Anshul Jubli is currently on a brief hiatus following a 19-second knockout loss to Quilon Salkilld at UFC 312, but Yaqoob’s success has once again highlighted the growing presence of Indian fighters on the global MMA map.
