In the rugged landscape of Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, where opportunities in professional sports are scarce, Owais Yaqoob has carved a path few believed possible. From a small village in Murran to the international stage of BRAVE Combat Federation, his story is one of grit, determination, and unshakable belief in the power of martial arts.
Owais’s journey began in 2013 when he took up taekwondo, later expanding into Eskrima, a Filipino martial art. With relentless dedication, he went on to collect an astonishing tally of medals — more than a dozen golds at the state level and several top finishes in national championships. His crowning moment in the amateur circuit came in 2022 when he represented India at the World Eskrima Championships in the Philippines, returning with a bronze medal and international recognition.
The real breakthrough, however, came when he entered mixed martial arts. In January 2023, Owais became the first fighter from Kashmir to sign with Matrix Fight Night (MFN), one of India’s premier MMA promotions.
Though he lost his debut bout, he quickly bounced back with impressive wins in subsequent events, including victories in Kazakhstan’s Naiza FC. By 2024, his professional record stood strong, proving that his skills and mindset belonged on the bigger stage.
In 2025, Owais took another leap forward, signing with BRAVE Combat Federation, a Bahrain-based global MMA promotion. This deal marked a historic moment: never before had a fighter from Kashmir stepped onto such a prestigious platform.
His debut is set at BRAVE CF 98 in Zhengzhou, China, where he will face undefeated Filipino prospect Ian Paul Lora — a test that could define the next chapter of his career.
What makes Owais’s rise particularly remarkable is not just his success inside the cage but also his commitment outside of it. Through his academy, Lion’s Den in Pulwama, he is training young athletes in martial arts, creating opportunities that he himself once struggled to find. For the youth of Kashmir, he is more than just a fighter; he is proof that global dreams can grow from local soil.
