Pakistan’s Saqib and Jawad punch their way into GAMMA MMA finals

Pakistan has two fighters through to the finals of the GAMMA Asian MMA Championship 2026. Muhammad Saqib and Muhammad Jawad

Pakistan has two fighters through to the finals of the GAMMA Asian MMA Championship 2026. Muhammad Saqib and Muhammad Jawad both delivered strong performances on Wednesday to book their places in the title matches of their respective weight categories.

The event, formally known as the 2nd GAMMA Asian MMA Championships, is currently underway in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It runs from July 28 through August 2, 2026. The tournament is organized by the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts and brings together elite fighters from across the continent, spanning both youth and senior divisions, all competing for gold.

Getting to the finals was not easy. Both Pakistani athletes had to get past tough opponents from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in earlier rounds. They did so by showing sharp technical skill, real determination, and a fighting spirit that stood out throughout the competition.

Saqib will step into the Under-18 category final, where he will face a fighter from Kazakhstan. Jawad, meanwhile, has his own final lined up in the Under-16 category, also against a Kazakh opponent. This is not a new territory for Saqib, either. He already has an impressive résumé, having won gold at the GAMMA World MMA Championship back in 2024, along with several other international successes representing Pakistan.

Their progress has not gone unnoticed back home. Zulfiqar Ali, who heads the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, spoke highly of both fighters following their wins. He said the federation feels genuine pride in watching these young athletes compete, and he extended that praise to their coaches and the broader national team as well.

According to Ali, both Saqib and Jawad have represented Pakistan with serious dedication. He pointed to their training and mental toughness as key reasons for their success so far in the tournament. He didn’t stop there, either. Ali went on to wish both fighters well ahead of their upcoming final bouts, saying the whole country would be cheering them on.

He added that he expects both athletes to carry the same energy and focus into their finals that got them this far. Ali said he is confident they will continue performing at a high level, and that a strong showing could mean even more glory for Pakistan on the international stage.