- The Pulwama-born fighter grabbed international attention.
- The big win also grabbed praise from Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
- His biggest breakthrough came at BRAVE CF 107.
Indian mixed martial arts fighter Owais Yaqoob has emerged as one of the country's brightest MMA prospects after his phenomenal victory at BRAVE CF 107 in Bulgaria.
The Pulwama-born fighter grabbed international attention by handing previously unbeaten Bulgarian star Delyan Georgiev his first professional defeat.
The big win also grabbed praise from Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who congratulated Yaqoob on his historic achievement against the two-time IMMAF Amateur World Champion.
Who Is Owais Yaqoob?
Owais Yaqoob is a professional MMA fighter from Murran village in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir.
Born in 1998, the 28-year-old competes in the lightweight division and is widely regarded as the "Pride of Kashmir" for his achievements on the international stage.
Early Life
Before entering mixed martial arts, Yaqoob built an impressive career in Taekwondo, beginning his martial arts journey in 2013.
During his amateur career, he won 11 national gold medals and six silver medals, establishing himself as one of India's top combat sports athletes before making the switch to MMA.
Owais Yaqoob's MMA career
Yaqoob's professional MMA career has witnessed a rapid rise over the past few years. He made history by becoming the first professional fighter from Jammu & Kashmir to compete and win under the BRAVE Combat Federation banner, one of the world's leading MMA promotions.
His biggest breakthrough came at BRAVE CF 107, where he defeated Bulgaria's unbeaten Delyan Georgiev via first-round technical knockout (TKO).
Georgiev entered the bout as a two-time IMMAF Amateur World Champion, making Yaqoob's victory one of the biggest wins by an Indian MMA fighter on the global stage.
The triumph improved Yaqoob's professional record to 6 wins and 1 loss, while extending his winning streak to six consecutive fights.
Training Under Team Khabib
One of the defining aspects of Yaqoob's development has been his association with Team Khabib. He trains at the renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) under legendary coach Javier Mendez and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Beyond The Cage
Apart from competing professionally, Yaqoob has also contributed to the growth of martial arts in Kashmir. In 2015, he established the Lion's Den Martial Arts Academy in Pulwama, where more than 200 youngsters have received training in combat sports.
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Standing 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall and competing around the 155-pound (70 kg) lightweight limit, Yaqoob has repeatedly stated that his long-term ambition is to win a world title and eventually compete in the UFC.
After his memorable victory at BRAVE CF 107, Owais Yaqoob has firmly established himself as one of India's leading MMA prospects. With his hard work and resilience, he could become the country's next fighter to make a successful transition to the global stage.