Asim Khan makes history as Pakistan MMA gains national recognition

Pakistan’s mixed martial arts (MMA) has received a major boost after Asim Khan, the country’s first-ever Asian Games MMA medallist, received a cash award from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in recognition of his bronze medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 in Japan.

The recognition marks a significant milestone for MMA in Pakistan, bringing the sport into the national sporting spotlight alongside established disciplines such as hockey, cricket and squash.

According to the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF), the achievement reflects the growing potential of Pakistani fighters and the importance of providing athletes with opportunities to compete at the international level.

Under the leadership of federation president Zulfiqar Ali, PMMAF has focused on athlete development through international exposure, training opportunities and participation in major competitions.

Asim has received support from the federation since 2021, which has helped him compete internationally and win medals at World and Asian Championships before securing his historic Asian Games podium finish.

“This achievement reflects our vision of investing in Pakistani talent and creating genuine opportunities for our athletes to succeed internationally,” Zulfiqar said.

He added that the federation aimed to establish a strong foundation for MMA in Pakistan by providing athletes with the necessary training, competition experience and continued development.

Asim also expressed gratitude to the government and the Pakistan Olympic Association for recognising his achievement, while acknowledging the role played by Zulfiqar, his coaches and his family in his journey.

“I am sincerely thankful to the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Olympic Association for recognising my achievement,” Asim said.

He credited Zulfiqar for believing in his abilities and supporting his development since 2021 by providing opportunities to train, compete internationally and represent Pakistan at major championships.

Asim also thanked Almighty Allah for the achievement and vowed to continue working hard to bring further honour to the country.

The cash award and recognition are expected to further highlight the opportunities available to Pakistani MMA athletes as the sport continues to develop. PMMAF said it remained committed to preparing more fighters for international competition and creating pathways for the next generation of athletes.

Asim’s historic bronze medal and subsequent government recognition represent an important step towards greater visibility for MMA in Pakistan, with the federation aiming to build on the achievement and produce more international champions.