Owais Yaqoob is a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from the village of Murran in the Pulwama district of South Kashmir. He is recognized as a pioneer for the sport in his region, often cited as the first professional MMA fighter from Jammu and Kashmir to achieve significant international success.
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Professional Career and Record
As of late 2025, Owais Yaqoob holds a professional MMA record of 5 wins and 1 loss. He competes in the Lightweight division.
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result | Method |
| Dec 21, 2025 | Mehmet Can Tasdoven | BRAVE CF 103 | Win | TKO (Knee and Punches) |
| Sep 19, 2025 | Ian Paul Lora | BRAVE CF 98 | Win | TKO (Submission to Punches) |
| Apr 19, 2025 | Shetty Pratik Sadashiv | VFC 4 | Win | TKO (Punches) |
| Dec 21, 2024 | Amanzhol Khaisa | Naiza FC 70 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) |
| Mar 9, 2024 | Mohammad Azim Mokhlis | MFN 14 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) |
| Mar 31, 2023 | Neeraj Panghal | MFN 11 | Loss | Submission (Guillotine Choke) |
Key Achievements
- BRAVE Combat Federation: He made history as the first Kashmiri fighter to secure a victory in this Bahrain-based international promotion.
- National Success: Before turning pro, he was an 11-time national gold medalist across various disciplines and won three national amateur MMA titles.
- International Recognition: In 2022, he represented India at the WEKAF World Championship in the Philippines, winning a bronze medal in Eskrima (Filipino stick fighting).
- Rankings: He has been ranked as the second-best MMA player in India by the All India Mixed Martial Arts Federation.
Background and Training
Owais began his martial arts journey in 2012–2013 with Taekwondo and Thang-Ta. His interest in MMA was sparked in 2018 after watching UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. To refine his skills, he has trained at prestigious locations, including:
- Soma Fight Club in Indonesia.
- Dagestan, Russia (training at schools associated with Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov).
- American Kickboxing Academy (AKA).
Owais Yaqoob has been putting in the work alongside the elite Dagestani crew at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). His place on the team recently came up for discussion between head coach Javier Mendez and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
While Coach Mendez was already on board with keeping him, AKA has a unique culture where the team gets a vote on who stays. Once the squad showed their support for Owais, Khabib—known as “The Eagle“—firmly backed him as well.
Khabib was particularly impressed by Owais’s relentless work ethic. He noted that many young fighters, including Owais, haven’t yet realized just how high their ceiling actually is. To drive the point home, Khabib shared a personal story about his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, mentioning that even Usman didn’t realize he had the potential to become the Bellator Lightweight Champion until he actually did it.
Community Impact
Beyond his own fighting career, Owais founded the Lion’s Den Martial Arts Academy in Pulwama. He has trained over 200 young athletes, aiming to provide them with a positive outlet and steer them away from drug abuse and other negative influences.
In 2025, Owais Yaqoob’s influence began to reach far beyond the MMA cage. His status as a local hero was solidified when he signed as a brand ambassador for Cemtac Cements, a prominent Kashmir-based company.
This partnership was more than just a typical endorsement; it signaled his transition from a professional athlete to a significant public figure and role model for the region. By collaborating with a homegrown brand, Owais showcased his commitment to his roots, proving that his success on the global stage could be used to uplift and represent the Kashmiri community.
Read also 👉 Shabnam Vijpari: The Voice of Kashmir’s News and Integrity
FAQ’s
Who is the Kashmiri boy in UFC?
Owais Yaqoob is a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from the village of Murran in the Pulwama district of South Kashmir.
What is Owais Yaqoob known for?
Owais Yaqoob is known as the first professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Kashmir.
Who won the fight between Owais Yaqoob and Paul Lora?
OWAIS YAQOOB, representing INDIA, gets a FIRST-ROUND TKO win over IAN PAUL LORA of the PHILIPPINES.
