Rising MMA star Bano sets sights on UFC glory and Olympic dreams

LAHORE: Bano Butt, Pakistan’s gold medal-winning MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter, has unveiled ambitious plans to compete in the UFC and potentially represent her country at the Olympics, marking her determination to break new ground for women in combat sports.

Fresh from her triumph at the IMMAF Asian Championship, Butt spoke about her aspirations to become Pakistan’s first UFC World Champion. “My ultimate goal is to become a UFC World Champion. That is what I want to achieve,” she declared, while also expressing hope for MMA’s inclusion in future Olympic Games.

The Lahore-based fighter reflected on her landmark victory at the IMMAF Asian Championship, describing it as her career’s defining moment. “Winning gold for Pakistan was the best moment of my career. The pride of hearing my country’s name at the top is something I will never forget,” Butt said.

Despite facing significant cultural barriers as a female fighter in Pakistan, Butt has persevered. “Being a female fighter in Pakistan is not easy. When I started, people said MMA was not for girls. They told me I should focus on something else. But I never let that stop me,” she revealed.

Butt credited the Pakistan MMA Federation and its President Omar Ahmed for providing crucial support to athletes like herself, enabling them to compete internationally without financial constraints. This backing has been instrumental in her journey to becoming one of Pakistan’s most promising combat sports athletes.

Beyond her personal ambitions, Butt sees herself as a role model for young Pakistani women. “I want to show young girls that they can achieve anything. I want to be a role model for them, to prove that they can break barriers and succeed in any field—including combat sports,” she emphasized.