Greater Noida, May 3, 2026: Arunachal Pradesh fighter Sonam Zomba successfully defended her MFN Strawweight World Title with a dominant second-round submission victory over Brazil’s Maristela Alves at Matrix Fight Night 18 held at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.
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| Arunachal Pradesh MMA fighter Sonam Zomba. (File Photo) |
The bout, which served as the main event of the evening, saw Zomba deliver a composed and technically strong performance in front of an enthusiastic crowd. After a competitive opening round, the Tawang-born fighter took control in the second round, capitalising on a ground transition to lock in a decisive armbar submission, forcing Alves to tap out.
With the victory, Zomba successfully completed her first title defence and improved her professional record to 8 wins and 1 loss, further cementing her reputation as one of India’s leading strawweight fighters.
Her disciplined mix of striking and grappling throughout the fight highlighted the rapid growth of India’s women’s MMA scene, with Zomba emerging as one of its most prominent athletes.
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Congratulating the champion, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu praised her inspiring performance, calling her a symbol of excellence from the state and an inspiration for young athletes across India. He said her journey reflects determination, perseverance, and the spirit of breaking barriers while elevating Indian MMA on the global stage.
Zomba’s triumph marks another significant milestone for Arunachal Pradesh in combat sports, inspiring a new generation of athletes from the region to pursue careers in mixed martial arts.
