Pakistani mixed martial arts fighter Maliha Ali has secured a bronze medal at the IMMAF World Championships in Georgia. However, her achievement has been overshadowed by a controversial semifinal decision that prompted an official appeal from the Pakistan MMA Federation.
The Pakistani athlete lost to Russia’s Polina Baldina in the women’s featherweight (65.8kg) semifinal on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Despite competing with serious injuries, Maliha delivered a competitive performance against the former world champion.
Why Is Pakistan Challenging Maliha Ali’s Defeat?
The controversy began after three judges delivered significantly different scorecards. One judge awarded Baldina a 30-27 victory, while another scored the contest 29-28 in Maliha’s favour. The third judge gave Baldina a 29-28 win, resulting in a split-decision defeat for the Pakistani fighter.
Pakistan MMA Federation President Omar Ahmed questioned the outcome and argued that Maliha deserved victory.
The federation has formally requested a round-by-round scoring explanation and technical review from the IMMAF Refereeing and Judging Commission.
Maliha Ali Fights Through Serious Injuries
Maliha competed despite suffering a fractured toe, severely bruised eyelid and partially dislocated jaw.
Earlier, she defeated Russia’s two-time European champion Veronika Drozdova before securing a unanimous-decision victory over Mexico’s Andrea Gabriela Guzman Salazar.
Meanwhile, her twin sister Manesha Ali lost a narrow quarterfinal contest against Poland’s Martyna Caruk.
The federation also clarified that an earlier announcement claiming Maliha had reached the final was incorrect.
Maliha’s bronze medal remains confirmed, while Pakistan’s appeal against the semifinal result is pending.
