Indian MMA has slowly found its place on the UFC stage. Arjan Singh Bhullar, Bharat Khandare, Anshul Jubli, Puja Tomar and Sumit Kumar are among the Indian fighters who have competed in or reached the UFC, each marking a different stage in India's journey in mixed martial arts. Bhullar became the first fighter of Indian descent to compete in the UFC, while Khandare became the first fighter born in India to step inside the Octagon. Jubli later earned his UFC contract through Road to UFC, Puja Tomar became the first Indian woman in the promotion, and Sumit Kumar is the latest Indian name listed on the UFC roster. Also Read: Highest Paid UFC Fighters in 2026: Top 3 UFC Stars Who Built Multi-Million Dollar Fortunes (Part 1)
1. Arjan Singh Bhullar
Arjan Singh Bhullar holds a special place in the history of Indian MMA fighters in UFC. Born in Vancouver, Canada, to a Punjabi Sikh family, Bhullar became the first fighter of Indian descent to compete in the UFC. Before moving into MMA, he was an accomplished freestyle wrestler and represented Canada at the 2012 Olympics. His wrestling background became one of his biggest strengths inside the Octagon.
Bhullar made his UFC debut against Luis Henrique at UFC 215 in September 2017 and won by unanimous decision. He went on to record three UFC victories, also defeating Marcelo Golm and Juan Adams. He eventually left the UFC with a 3-1 record in the promotion.
His importance goes beyond his UFC record. Bhullar's arrival gave Indian MMA fans someone to follow at the sport's biggest organisation and showed that an Indian-origin fighter could compete at the highest level.
2. Bharat Khandare
Bharat Khandare made history in a different way. While Bhullar was the first fighter of Indian descent to compete in the UFC, Bharat Khandare became the first native of India to fight in the UFC. The Maharashtra-based fighter was born in Bhagur, Nashik, and had a background in wrestling before moving into MMA.
Khandare made his UFC debut in Shanghai in November 2017 against China's Song Yadong. It was a significant moment because, for the first time, a fighter born and raised in India was competing inside the Octagon. He entered the UFC with a professional record of 5-2, according to UFC's own coverage at the time.
Although his UFC run was brief, Khandare's place in Indian MMA history remains important. His debut came at a time when MMA was still trying to establish itself as a mainstream sport in India.
3. Anshul Jubli
For Anshul Jubli, the road to the UFC came through the promotion's Road to UFC tournament. Born in Uttarkashi, India, Jubli started his professional career after completing his education and eventually made MMA his full-time pursuit. Before fighting professionally, he also worked as a mathematics teacher.
Jubli won the lightweight tournament in the first season of Road to UFC by defeating Indonesia's Jeka Saragih via TKO. That victory earned him a UFC contract and made him the second India-born fighter to be signed to the UFC roster.
He made his UFC debut against Mike Breeden at UFC 294 in October 2023. Jubli later fought Quillan Salkilld at UFC 312 in February 2025. UFC currently lists him as an active lightweight and records his professional MMA record as 7-2-0.
Jubli's journey is particularly interesting because he came through a route that many young Indian fighters now see as a possible pathway to the UFC.
4. Puja Tomar
Puja Tomar created another major first for India. She became the first Indian woman to compete in the UFC, making her debut against Rayanne dos Santos at UFC Louisville on June 8, 2024. Tomar won the fight by split decision.
Born in Budhana, India, Tomar has a background in Wushu and began training at a young age. According to her UFC profile, she started training when she was 12 and initially wanted to learn fighting to protect her sister. Before joining the UFC, she also held the MFN strawweight title.
Her UFC journey continued with a fight against Shauna Bannon in March 2025, which she lost by submission. She remains listed as an active UFC fighter. Tomar's debut was more than just another UFC fight. She opened a new chapter for Indian women in MMA and gave young female fighters in the country another example of what could be possible.
5. Sumit Kumar
Sumit Kumar is the latest name among Indian fighters connected with the UFC. The fighter from Hathras, India, competes in the flyweight division and is currently listed as active on the UFC's official website. UFC lists his Octagon debut as August 25, 2026.
Kumar has also appeared in the Road to UFC pathway. In 2023, he competed against South Korea's SeungGuk Choi in the flyweight tournament and lost the bout by unanimous decision. UFC's report from the event described Kumar as an aggressive fighter who repeatedly looked for wrestling exchanges.
His inclusion on the current UFC roster shows how the Indian MMA pipeline is gradually developing. From Bhullar and Khandare breaking the door open years ago to Tomar becoming India's first female UFC fighter, the list is slowly getting longer.
India's UFC journey is still at an early stage. The story of Indian MMA fighters in UFC is not yet a long one, but each fighter has added something important. Arjan Singh Bhullar brought Indian heritage to the UFC at the highest level, Bharat Khandare became the first India-born fighter in the Octagon, Anshul Jubli earned his opportunity through Road to UFC, Puja Tomar broke the barrier for Indian women, and Sumit Kumar represents the newer generation.
For a country with a growing MMA fan base and an expanding combat-sports ecosystem, the next question is no longer whether Indians can reach the UFC. It is how many more will follow them.
Image Source- Google
