Pakistan's Maliha Ali has secured an important international victory after defeating Russia's Veronika Drozdova at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The 24-year-old Pakistani fighter won their women's featherweight contest in the 65.8kg category through a split decision.
Her opponent, 19-year-old Drozdova, entered the competition as a two-time European champion, making the result particularly significant for Pakistan's growing presence in international mixed martial arts.
Maliha initially adopted a cautious approach before gradually taking control of the opening round. Fighting from a southpaw stance, she moved closer to Drozdova, pushed her towards the cage and connected with several clean strikes to finish strongly.
She continued her attacking performance in the second round by taking her opponent to the ground and securing a full-mount position. From there, Maliha delivered several powerful strikes, strengthening her position before the final round.
Drozdova responded strongly in the third, managing a takedown and controlling much of the ground action.
Originally from Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Maliha is already an accomplished combat-sports athlete, having won a national kickboxing gold medal and established herself as a wushu champion. Earlier in 2026, she also secured a silver medal at the IMMAF World Cup in Angola.
Pakistan MMA Federation president Omar Ahmed revealed that the team organised a six-week training camp and brought in an international jiu-jitsu and grappling coach to improve areas identified during the previous competition.
Maliha's next challenge is the quarter-final against Mexico's Andrea Gabriela Guzman Salazar, as she continues her pursuit of a world championship title.
Pakistan’s Maliha Ali has secured an important international victory after defeating Russia’s Veronika Drozdova at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Pakistan's Maliha Ali has secured an important international victory after defeating Russia's Veronika Drozdova at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The 24-year-old Pakistani fighter won their women's featherweight contest in the 65.8kg category through a split decision.
Her opponent, 19-year-old Drozdova, entered the competition as a two-time European champion, making the result particularly significant for Pakistan's growing presence in international mixed martial arts.
Maliha initially adopted a cautious approach before gradually taking control of the opening round. Fighting from a southpaw stance, she moved closer to Drozdova, pushed her towards the cage and connected with several clean strikes to finish strongly.
She continued her attacking performance in the second round by taking her opponent to the ground and securing a full-mount position. From there, Maliha delivered several powerful strikes, strengthening her position before the final round.
Drozdova responded strongly in the third, managing a takedown and controlling much of the ground action.
Originally from Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Maliha is already an accomplished combat-sports athlete, having won a national kickboxing gold medal and established herself as a wushu champion. Earlier in 2026, she also secured a silver medal at the IMMAF World Cup in Angola.
Pakistan MMA Federation president Omar Ahmed revealed that the team organised a six-week training camp and brought in an international jiu-jitsu and grappling coach to improve areas identified during the previous competition.
Maliha's next challenge is the quarter-final against Mexico's Andrea Gabriela Guzman Salazar, as she continues her pursuit of a world championship title.
