Pakistan’s Maliha Ali beats Russian opponent by split decision at MMA worlds

Pakistan’s Maliha Ali earned a victory over Russian fighter Veronika Drozdova on Tuesday at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships. Their featherweight contest, in the 65.8kg division, took place in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The result came by split decision, giving Maliha the win without unanimous agreement among the judges. That means the judges were divided over which fighter had won the bout.

Dawn’s report of 4 November 2026 described the credentials both women brought to the amateur mixed martial arts tournament. Maliha, 24, is from Hunza in Gilgit-Baltistan and is also a wushu champion and national kickboxing gold medallist. Earlier that year, she had taken silver at the IMMAF World Cup in Angola. Drozdova, meanwhile, was 19 and had already won two European titles. Russia’s contingent numbered more than 60 athletes, with government support and a programme that Dawn described as among the sport’s best funded.

In its account of the opening round, Dawn reported that Maliha fought from a southpaw stance and initially took a cautious approach. She then moved closer, pressed Drozdova against the cage and connected with clean strikes towards the round’s end. The Russian also found openings, landing a couple of overhand lefts.

Dawn’s 4 November report described a stronger second round for Maliha. After taking Drozdova to the floor, she gained full mount—a position astride her opponent’s torso—and delivered heavy strikes from above. The effort across the first two rounds appeared to leave her tiring in the third, when Drozdova took her down.