Zhengzhou (China): Owais Yaqoob, the 27-year-old lightweight from Pulwama in South Kashmir, scripted history on Friday night when he secured a first-round stoppage victory over Filipino prospect Ian Paul Lora at BRAVE Combat Federation 98.
Competing at Henan TV Studio 8, Yaqoob wasted little time in asserting his dominance. After an early takedown, he overwhelmed his opponent with relentless hammerfists, forcing a submission to strikes at 1 minute 54 seconds of the opening round.
The triumph marked his fourth professional win and established him as the first mixed martial artist from Kashmir to claim victory on the global BRAVE CF stage. His professional record now stands at four wins and one loss.
From Murran village to international spotlight
Born and raised in Murran village, Pulwama, Yaqoob began his martial arts journey with taekwondo in 2013. Over the years, he collected 11 national gold medals, six silvers, and 17 state-level titles, while also earning the “Champion of Champions” accolade in 2018. His versatility extended to Eskrima, the Filipino stick-fighting discipline, where he represented India at the 2022 WEKAF World Championship and claimed a bronze medal.
Inspired by UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, Yaqoob transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2018, winning three national amateur titles before turning professional in 2023. After a difficult debut loss, he rebounded with victories in India, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia, eventually catching the eye of BRAVE CF scouts.
Guided by champions
Yaqoob recently completed advanced training with former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev — an experience that helped sharpen his grappling and cage skills. He also competes in Matrix Fight Night (MFN), India’s leading MMA promotion.
Beyond his own career, he is nurturing the next generation of Kashmiri fighters through his “Lions Den Martial Arts Academy” in Pulwama, which has become a hub for aspiring athletes in the region.
Symbol for Kashmiri sport
While BRAVE CF 98 was headlined by Ukraine’s Omar Solomanov clinching the interim featherweight title, the night carried special resonance in Kashmir. Yaqoob’s victory underscored the arrival of a new sporting chapter for the Valley, a region more often associated with cricket, football, and winter sports.
For Yaqoob, the fight was more than a test of records. “This is more than just a fight — it’s history for Kashmir,” he has often told supporters. His success on Friday reaffirmed those words, opening a pathway for Kashmiri athletes to dream beyond local and national circuits and aim for international stages.
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Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times
