Tomar made a winning start on her UFC debut in June and on Saturday at UFC London at the O2 Arena, takes on Irish strawweight Shauna Bannon.

Using the platform she has in the UFC, Tomar wants parents in India to see the potential in daughters and treat them as equals to their sons.

“I just want to tell every parent to be proud you have a girl. Give confidence to your girls, give belief to them,” said Tomar.

“Because if I can do it, many more can. Just open the gate. Don’t think a girl is only there to make food, a girl can do anything, just give them opportunities.”

Since her UFC debut, Tomar says parents in her village have asked how their girls can start in mixed martial arts (MMA) – a movement which makes her “proud”.

The success Tomar is experiencing would seem unimaginable from the moment she started her MMA journey.

Alongside sex ratio discrimination, Indian sportswomen face multiple other challenges,, external including under-funded sport and sexual harassment and assault.

Tomar says she was around 24 years old when she first started training in MMA, but had difficulties finding gyms in India.

“I was in MMA with no experience, no coach. Just sometime I’d get help, but I had no coach,” says Tomar.

“MMA sport training is very hard in India. In my society, you have to be fully clothed when you train with men. It’s very hard.”

Eventually Tomar would move to Soma Fight Club, which is a gym in Bali, Indonesia, where she still trains today.

She was signed by the UFC in 2023 after a four-fight winning streak.

“I kept going and kept going and one day I can show the world girls don’t [belong only] in the kitchen,” said Tomar.

“I just want to work hard and keep going and win and win. One day I want to be on top.”