Anita Karim, Pakistan’s most accomplished female mixed martial artist, has added another major milestone to her career by becoming the country’s first female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) brown belt holder.
Karim began her combat sports journey in taekwondo and jiu-jitsu before discovering mixed martial arts.
In the early stages, she faced criticism and resistance, but attitudes gradually shifted as her skills and achievements became impossible to ignore.
Eight years ago, she made history as Pakistan’s first woman to compete internationally in MMA, a breakthrough that later led to her signing with ONE Championship, Asia’s leading MMA promotion.
Her professional journey was not without challenges. During her MMA debut in 2018, a referee delayed her fight over concerns about her attire, highlighting the barriers female fighters still face. Despite this, Karim continued to push forward and establish herself as a dominant competitor.
Inside the cage, she is known for her aggressive grappling style and her signature armlock technique. In 2022, after leaving two opponents with broken arms during a tournament, she earned the nickname “the arm collector,” a reflection of her technical strength and finishing ability.
Beyond competition, Karim is committed to empowering Pakistani women through self-defense and confidence-building. She has spoken openly about the widespread issue of harassment and believes combat sports skills are essential beyond the ring.
With the achievement of her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, Anita Karim has once again broken new ground, strengthening her position as a pioneer for women in Pakistan’s combat sports.
