Anita Karim: Pakistan’s Trailblazing MMA Fighter Breaking Barriers

ISLAMABAD, February 8, 2025 – From the rugged mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan to the global MMA stage, Anita Karim has shattered stereotypes to become Pakistan’s foremost female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter.

Nicknamed “The Arm Collector” for her devastating armlock technique, Karim, 28, overcame societal resistance to emerge as the country’s first internationally recognized female MMA athlete, competing in Asia’s premier promotion, ONE Championship.

Fighting Against the Odds

Raised in a household of fighters, Karim first trained by sparring with her three older brothers. “People said MMA was a men’s sport, but I proved them wrong,” she told AFP at her gym in Islamabad, where she trains in a freezing octagonal cage.

Though women in Pakistan often face family-imposed restrictions on sports, Gilgit-Baltistan has nurtured female athletes like taekwondo champions Maliha and Maneesha Ali.

A Reluctant Role Model

Despite her ferocious reputation in the ring, Karim remains soft-spoken outside of it. “She’s shy, but inside the cage, she’s completely different,” said her brother and coach, Uloomi.

Her dominance was cemented in 2022 when she won a national tournament, leaving two opponents with broken arms. “They could have tapped out, but they didn’t,” she shrugged.

Empowering Women Through MMA

Karim not only fights for herself but also for Pakistani women, many of whom face public harassment. “I want to give women confidence and self-defense skills,” she said.

Recently, she used her training outside the cage. “A man harassed me at a market in Islamabad. I hit him, and he walked away with his face covered in blood.”

For aspiring fighters like Bushra Ahmed, Karim is a symbol of possibility. “Anita is a role model for us,” she said, catching her breath after an intense training session.

From overcoming social resistance to dominating the MMA world, Anita Karim is proving that Pakistani women can fight—and win.

Source: AFP / Dawn News