Pakistani mixed martial arts fighter Maliha Ali has won a bronze medal at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, following a closely contested semi-final against Russian fighter Polina Baldina.
The result marks an important achievement for Pakistan’s growing mixed martial arts programme, particularly for women competing at the international level.
However, the medal-winning performance has also sparked a judging controversy, with the Pakistan MMA Federation formally requesting a review of the semi-final scoring.
Maliha Ali Delivers Strong Performance in Georgia
Hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan, Maliha entered the international tournament against experienced competitors from countries with established mixed martial arts programmes.
During her campaign, she defeated two-time European champion Veronika Drozdova of Russia through a split decision.
She followed that performance with a unanimous-decision victory over Mexico’s Andrea Gabriela Guzman Salazar, securing a place in the featherweight semi-finals.
Her progress brought Pakistan within reach of a place in the championship final.
Despite reportedly competing with injuries, Maliha continued her campaign and demonstrated determination against internationally recognised opponents.
Controversial Semi-Final Against Russia
Maliha faced Polina Baldina of Russia in the women’s featherweight division, contested at 65.8 kilograms.
The bout continued through three competitive rounds before the judges awarded Baldina victory through a split decision.
According to the scorecards reported by Dawn, one judge scored the fight 30–27 in favour of Baldina, another awarded Maliha a 29–28 victory, while the third gave Baldina a 29–28 advantage.
The final result eliminated Maliha from contention for the gold medal and left her with bronze.
Pakistan MMA Federation officials subsequently questioned the scoring, arguing that the performance warranted closer examination.
The federation’s criticism represents its position on the decision; no official finding of judging misconduct has been established.
Pakistan MMA Federation Files Formal Appeal
Pakistan MMA Federation president Omar Ahmed confirmed that the organisation had submitted an appeal to the head of IMMAF’s Refereeing and Judging Commission.
The federation requested a round-by-round explanation of the scoring and a technical review of the disputed bout.
Officials also raised concerns about consistency in the application of judging standards during international competitions.
The appeal remained pending in the reports reviewed on November 6.
Until a formal decision is issued, the announced semi-final result and bronze medal remain the basis of the latest reporting.
Manesha Ali Also Represents Pakistan
Maliha’s twin sister, Manesha Ali, also participated in the World Championships.
Manesha, who previously won gold for Pakistan at the IMMAF World Cup in Angola, competed in the lightweight division.
Her championship run ended in the quarter-finals following a narrow split-decision loss to Poland’s Martyna Caruk.
The participation of both sisters highlights the expanding opportunities for Pakistani women in combat sports.
A Significant Medal for Pakistan
Maliha’s achievement brings attention to the development of mixed martial arts in Pakistan and the increasing international exposure of the country’s athletes.
Her performance against experienced opponents demonstrates the potential of Pakistani fighters when provided with professional coaching and opportunities to compete internationally.
The World Championships, taking place from November 1 to 7 in Georgia, bring together athletes from numerous countries across multiple weight divisions.
For Pakistan, the bronze medal is a positive result despite the disappointment surrounding the semi-final decision.
