Pakistan hosted the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Asian Championship, for the first time in history, from August 18-22, during which two Pakistani fighters, Eman Khan and Bano Butt, each claimed a gold medal in their respective categories.
The championship, which the Pakistan MMA Federation hailed as the “biggest sporting event in the country’s history,” was held in Lahore. It featured participation from 12 countries, with over 180 fighters, 120 officials, and 120 technical staff.
The event kicked off with a highly anticipated contest between Pakistani and Indian fighters, intensifying the longstanding cross-border rivalry and capturing the attention of fans worldwide. The event was broadcast by American networks and streamed across multiple platforms.
“Since [the Asian Championship] is being broadcast in 180 countries, translated in 25 languages, and reaching 10 million households, for Pakistan, it’s the biggest sporting event in its history,” stated Omer Ahmed, president of the Pakistan MMA Federation as he emphasized the significance of the event.
Ahmed, a key figure behind bringing the tournament to Pakistan, established global partnerships, including with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, to make the first MMA Asian Championship in the country a reality.
“This is the only event in Pakistan’s history where 16 teams and 300 foreign nationals have shown up,” Ahmed noted, highlighting the participation of fighters, coaches, and support staff.
Pakistan wins 2 gold medals
Team Pakistan finished with an impressive haul of six medals: two golds and four silvers. Kazakhstan and Tajikistan topped the medals table with seven golds each, followed by Bahrain with three, while Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan secured two gold medals each.
Eman and Bano shine at Asian MMA Championship
Team Pakistan delivered a strong performance at the Asian MMA Championship 2024, with fighters Eman Khan and Bano Butt each claiming gold medals in their respective categories.
In the 47-kilogram atomweight category, 24-year-old Bano Butt defeated her Indian opponent in the semifinal before going on to win Pakistan’s first gold medal by overcoming Kazakhstan’s Gulnaz Abdrakhmanova in the senior women’s atomweight division.
Eman Khan followed suit, securing another gold for Pakistan by defeating Kazakhstan’s Dinara Ayapova in the first round with a rear-naked choke.
“I worked hard for more than three years for this event,” Eman said after her victory, expressing her pride in bringing home the Asian MMA Championship gold. She also congratulated her compatriot Bano Butt and voiced her hopes for Pakistan’s continued success in MMA and other sports.
Meanwhile, Bushra Ahmed, who advanced directly to the final on technical grounds, faced Kazakhstan’s Adel Makhametova but was ultimately defeated, earning a silver medal for her efforts.
