Kashmir’s legacy lives on in its culture, heritage, hospitality, and natural beauty, which are unmatched anywhere in the world. Over the years, many people have added charm to this paradise on earth. Saints, scholars, poets, writers, singers, actors, and athletes have all left their mark. Today, one name stands out as the current sensation in Kashmir. He has become a source of pride, inspiring a new generation with his talent and achievements in the world of sports. He is the first ever Kashmiri fighter to break into the international mixed martial arts arena, marking a historic moment for sports in the region and opening doors for future fighters from Kashmir. Owais Yaqoob, a 27-year-old MMA fighter from Murran in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, a village widely known for its orchards and agricultural life. He grew up with a strong interest in sports and physical activity from an early age. Coming from a modest middle class Kashmiri household, Owais had limited resources to enter the world of professional sports.

In a region where cricket and football dominate local interest, choosing mixed martial arts was itself a major challenge. Despite this, Owais Yaqoob was fully prepared to face every obstacle that came his way and carve a path of his own. He initially trained himself locally and gradually polished his skills, many of which were natural and instinctive. His dedication and physical ability soon became visible to those around him. In 2013, he formally stepped into the field of martial arts and began structured and professional training. In the early phase of his journey, his main focus was on taekwondo, where he built a strong foundation of discipline, speed, and technique. During the early days of his competitive journey, Owais Yaqoob showed exceptional talent.
He won 11 national gold medals, 17 state gold medals, and 6 silver medals across various competitions over the years building a resume that a few could match. His consistent performances earned him the recognition ‘‘Champion of Champions’’ and ‘‘Best Fighter Boy’’ in competition. Owais also participated in events across different states of India, gaining valuable exposure and experience at a young stage of his career. After years of grinding and making a name for himself at local and national levels, Owais Yaqoob achieved his first major international breakthrough in 2022. He trained in Eskrima, a Filipino martial art that focuses on stick fighting and striking techniques. Representing India at the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Championship held in the Philippines, Owais delivered a strong performance and won a bronze medal in the full contact category. This achievement marked a turning point in his career and brought international recognition to a fighter from Kashmir.
Ever since he stepped into the international arena, Owais Yaqoob has not looked back. His growth has been steady and impressive, and his rapid rise speaks for itself. With every fight, he has shown improvement in skill confidence and maturity, proving that he belongs on bigger stages. Before turning professional, Owais competed in amateur mixed martial arts and won three national amateur MMA titles. These victories helped him build confidence and prepared him for the demands of professional fighting. His strong amateur record made it clear that he was ready to take the next step. In January 2023, Owais Yaqoob signed a professional contract with Matrix Fight Night, India’s biggest professional MMA promotion. He made his professional MMA debut on 31 March 2023 in New Delhi. His first fight ended in a loss by submission in the third round.
While the result was disappointing, it became an important learning moment in his career. Instead of being discouraged, Owais used the experience to improve his technique and mental strength. His hard work soon paid off. On 9 March 2024, at MFN 14, he secured an important victory against Azim Mokhlis by unanimous decision. This win marked his return with confidence and showed his ability to perform under pressure. Later in December 2024, Owais competed at Naiza FC 70 in Kazakhstan, where he defeated Amanzhol Khaisa by unanimous decision, adding another international win to his record. The upward journey continued in April 2025 when he fought at Veswa Fight Championship 4. Owais won the bout by technical knockout in the second round, displaying control and precision inside the cage. His biggest moment came on 19 September 2025 at BRAVE CF 98 in China, where he secured a first round technical knockout victory over Ian Paul Lora. This historic win made him the first Kashmiri fighter to register a victory in the BRAVE Combat Federation. As of late 2025, Owais Yaqoob holds a professional MMA record of four wins and one loss. More than the numbers, his journey reflects persistence learning and constant progress. Each fight has added to his experience and strengthened his position as one of Kashmir’s most promising athletes on the global stage.
To strengthen his skills and compete at the highest level, Owais Yaqoob trained both within India and abroad. He focused on grappling and wrestling in India, improved his striking skills in Indonesia, and spent valuable time training in Dagestan, a region known for producing world class fighters. There, he trained under coaches influenced by legendary athletes like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Owais also trained at the American Kickboxing Academy, one of the most respected MMA gyms in the world. His dedication and progress earned praise from Khabib Nurmagomedov, a rare recognition that further motivated him to push his limits.
Owais Yaqoob’s achievements have brought him several honors and awards. He was named the second-best MMA player in India by the All India Mixed Martial Art Federation, a recognition that highlighted his growing stature in the sport. Over the years, he has also won multiple medals and performance awards at state, national, and international levels, reflecting his consistency and discipline. In 2025, his influence extended beyond sports when he was signed as a brand ambassador by Cemtac Cements, a Kashmir based company, marking his growing impact as a public figure.
Beyond competition, Owais remains deeply connected to his roots. He founded the Lion’s Den Martial Arts Academy in Pulwama, where he has trained more than two hundred young athletes from Kashmir. Many of these students have gone on to win medals and represent Jammu and Kashmir at national events. Owais strongly believes that sports and martial arts can guide youth away from drugs and negative influences. His long-term goal is to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the highest platform in professional MMA, while continuing to inspire and uplift the next generation.
Owais Yaqoob’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Emerging from a region long associated with turmoil and uncertainty, his success symbolizes a transforming Kashmir one that is moving away from conflict towards opportunity. His rise reflects a growing sense of hope and positive direction shaped by sustained governance initiatives, improved security, expanding sports infrastructure, and the unwavering resolve of the Kashmiri people themselves. Narratives once dominated by fear and bloodshed are being replaced by examples and stories of ambition and achievement.
This change did not occur in isolation; it is the outcome of political stability, inclusive development policies, and a conscious effort to mainstream Kashmir’s youth by opening national and international platforms for talent. Owais’s success stands as evidence that when peace, policy, and perseverance align, extraordinary outcomes follow. Through his dedication and discipline, Owais has become more than an athlete he is a symbol of aspiration for Kashmiri youth who now see futures shaped by hard work rather than manipulation. His achievements reinforce the idea that progress, not protest, builds nations; and that empowerment through opportunity is the most effective answer to decades of unrest. In doing so, Owais has brought pride not only to Kashmir but to the entire nation, embodying a future where integration, confidence, and national unity define the region’s path forward.
Owais has represented India on international platforms across Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe, proudly carrying the tricolour and showcasing Indian and Kashmiri talent on the global stage. Owais has often said that his inspiration is Khabib Nurmagomedov, yet his identity remains firmly rooted in the soil of Kashmir and the spirit of India. Drawing motivation from global champions while proudly representing his homeland.
His journey has been strengthened by consistent government support, improved sports infrastructure, and opportunities provided by Indian sports authorities, reflecting a broader policy push to channel youth energy toward discipline and excellence. Frequently seen raising the tricolour inside international rings, Owais’s actions go beyond symbolism, expressing gratitude, patriotism, and confidence. His rise sends a powerful message that today’s Kashmiri youth are choosing ambition over unrest and progress over conflict. By aligning talent with institutional backing and national purpose, Owais’s success illustrates how positive governance and individual determination together can transform potential into achievement and pride for Kashmir and the nation as a whole.

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