A compelling women’s strawweight contest is set to headline a UFC Fight Night event at the Galaxy Arena in Macau on Friday, May 29, 2026. China’s sensation, Shi Ming, will face off against India’s pioneering fighter, Puja Tomar, in a five-round main event at 115 lbs.
This high-stakes bout tops a card that also features the Road to UFC Season 4 flyweight final, where Mongolian prospect Namsrai Batbayar (9-1) will clash with Chinese contender Yin Shuai (18-6) in the co-main event.
Shi Ming: The Hometown Headliner with a Unique Story
Entering the main event with a professional record of 17-6, Shi Ming represents China Catch Wrestling, fighting out of Kunming, Yunnan, China. Standing approximately 157 cm tall, Ming’s fighting style is a potent combination of catch wrestling expertise and continuously evolving striking, leading to a significant number of submission and knockout finishes.
Ming first captured widespread attention through the Road to UFC series, where her dominant performance secured her the Season 3 women’s strawweight tournament title, earning her a coveted UFC contract and making her the inaugural Road to UFC women’s strawweight champion. Her profile surged further after a brutal head-kick knockout that saw her opponent stretchered from the cage—a moment that quickly went viral across MMA media and social platforms. This spectacular finish, coupled with a growing highlight reel of stoppages across Asia, paved the way for her second UFC main event opportunity, despite a current official UFC record of 0-1 following a decision loss to Bruna Brasil in a previous Road to UFC main event slot.
Beyond the octagon, Ming’s remarkable story garnered headlines when it was revealed she had been balancing demanding medical studies with her professional fighting career. Her family initially remained unaware of her MMA pursuits until her viral knockout brought sudden and unavoidable public attention. This intriguing duality—treating patients by day and competing fiercely by night—has added another captivating layer to the UFC’s promotion of its new Chinese star.
Puja Tomar: India’s Trailblazing Cyclone
Opposing Shi Ming will be Puja “The Cyclone” Tomar, who brings a professional record of 9-5. Hailing from Budhana, India, Tomar trains with Soma Fight Club, often conducting her fight camps in Bali. She made a name for herself as the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) strawweight champion on India’s premier domestic promotion before re-signing with the UFC.
Tomar achieved a historic milestone in 2023 by becoming the first Indian-born woman to sign with the UFC. She further cemented her legacy in June 2024, securing another first for her country by defeating Rayanne dos Santos via split decision at UFC on ESPN 57, making her the first Indian woman to win a UFC bout. Her UFC tenure currently stands at 1-1, following a submission loss to Shauna Bannon by armbar in March 2025. Known for her aggressive approach and willingness to engage in striking exchanges, Tomar boasts six career knockout wins, including several rapid first-round finishes in under 30 seconds.
The Stakes: A Pivotal Fight for Both Stars
For Shi Ming, a victory in Macau would not only mark her first official UFC win but also solidify her Road to UFC tournament success as a legitimate springboard into the division’s top tier. It’s a chance to confirm her status as a rising force.
For Puja Tomar, upsetting a prominent Chinese star on Asian soil would significantly bolster her reputation as India’s leading MMA export. Such a win could potentially lead to matchups against ranked opposition and would undoubtedly add another crucial chapter to her trailblazing role as India’s first and only female UFC representative.