Owais Yaqoob has become one of India's most promising mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters after creating history as the first athlete from Jammu and Kashmir to win a bout in BRAVE Combat Federation (BRAVE CF), one of the world's premier MMA promotions.
His victory in Bulgaria was even more remarkable because he competed while unwell. Speaking after the fight, Owais revealed that he had been sick just days before stepping into the cage but chose not to disclose it, fearing people would dismiss it as an excuse before the biggest contest of his career.
From the quiet village of Murran in Pulwama to an international MMA arena, Owais' journey reflects determination, resilience and years of relentless training. His success has also brought renewed attention to the growing MMA culture in Kashmir.
Here's everything you need to know about Owais Yaqoob.
Who is Owais Yaqoob?
Owais Yaqoob is a professional mixed martial artist from Murran village in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.
Born in 1998, he discovered his passion for martial arts at a young age and began training in taekwondo in 2013. Over time, he expanded his skill set by taking up kickboxing before eventually transitioning to mixed martial arts.
As an amateur, Owais won several medals at national competitions, earning recognition before making the leap to the professional circuit. He now competes in the lightweight division and is regarded as one of the region's leading MMA athletes.
How did he enter mixed martial arts?
After building a strong foundation in taekwondo and kickboxing, Owais decided to pursue MMA—a sport that blends striking, wrestling and grappling.
To prepare for professional competition, he underwent rigorous training in wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and ground fighting while continuing to sharpen his striking abilities.
Building future champions in Kashmir
Owais has contributed to the sport beyond his own fighting career.
In 2015, he established Lion's Den Martial Arts Academy in Pulwama to train aspiring fighters and promote martial arts among young people in the region. The academy has become a platform for nurturing local talent and encouraging greater participation in combat sports.
Learning from defeat
Owais made his professional debut at Matrix Fight Night 11 in New Delhi in 2023.
His first outing ended in a third-round submission defeat, but rather than letting the setback define him, he used it as motivation to improve. He focused on strengthening his wrestling and grappling, emerging as a more complete and confident fighter.
Why Dagestan became a turning point
Determined to take his game to the next level, Owais travelled to Dagestan, Russia—one of the world's most respected training hubs for MMA.
The region has produced elite fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, known for their dominant wrestling.
Training alongside high-level athletes in Dagestan helped Owais refine his wrestling, takedown defence and overall fight IQ, giving him a significant edge ahead of his return to international competition.
The historic BRAVE CF victory
Owais achieved the biggest milestone of his career by defeating Bulgaria's Delyan Georgiev in BRAVE Combat Federation.
The victory made him the first fighter from Jammu and Kashmir to register a win in the global MMA promotion. The bout attracted significant attention because Georgiev had trained with Team Topuria, adding to the challenge.
The achievement was celebrated across the country, with congratulatory messages pouring in from fans, fellow athletes and Jammu and Kashmir leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister Sakina ItoOwais Yaqoob's rise from a village in Pulwama to the international MMA stage has made him a trailblazer for the sport in Kashmir and an inspiration for aspiring fighters across India.
