Pakistan’s Maliha Ali has secured an impressive victory at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, defeating Russia’s Veronika Drozdova by split decision.

The 24-year-old fighter from Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, overcame a two-time European champion in their featherweight (65.8kg) contest on November 3, delivering a strong performance across the first two rounds.

Maliha used effective striking, cage control and a successful takedown to build her advantage. Although Drozdova fought back strongly in the third round, the judges awarded the victory to the Pakistani athlete.

Maliha is also a wushu champion and national kickboxing gold medallist. She previously won a silver medal at the IMMAF World Cup in Angola earlier this year.

Following the win, Maliha expressed gratitude to her coaches and said their preparation and analysis of her opponent helped execute the fight strategy.

She will now face Mexico’s Andrea Gabriela Guzman Salazar in the quarter-finals. Her twin sister, Manisha Ali, is also scheduled to compete in the next round.

The victory marks another important achievement for Pakistan’s growing presence in international mixed martial arts.