Anita Karim, Pakistan’s premier female MMA fighter, has broken barriers in a country where sports are often viewed as a man’s domain. Growing up in the rugged Gilgit-Baltistan region, Karim honed her combat skills by sparring with her three older brothers, preparing her for a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Despite facing initial resistance from her community, she is now an internationally recognized fighter and a role model for young women across the country.
At 28, Karim has made a name for herself in Asia’s largest MMA promotion, ONE Championship, becoming Pakistan’s first female fighter to compete on the global stage. Her journey has been one of resilience; although MMA was initially viewed as a “men’s game,” Karim proved her critics wrong by swiftly rising through the ranks after starting her career eight years ago.
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Her support at home has been unwavering, especially from her brother Uloomi, who is also her coach. The pair trains together in their family-owned gym in Islamabad, where Karim also teaches aspiring female fighters. Despite her shy demeanor off the mat, Karim is a fierce competitor in the ring, known for her powerful armlock submission technique, which has earned her the nickname “the arm collector.”
Karim’s influence extends beyond the cage, as she has become a beacon of inspiration for aspiring women athletes in Pakistan, a country where only one in five women hold jobs. Through her fight career, Karim is helping to change perceptions, showing women that they can break through societal norms and pursue careers in sports. She also hopes to empower women with self-defense skills, helping combat the harassment that over 80% of Pakistani women face.
