Overview
- Maliha Ali was awarded a bronze medal at the IMMAF World Championships in Tbilisi after losing a featherweight semi‑final by split decision to Russia’s Polina Baldina.
- The judges' cards differed sharply with one judge scoring 30‑27 for Baldina, one 29‑28 for Ali, and the third 29‑28 for Baldina, a disparity that team officials say warrants review.
- The Pakistan MMA Federation, led by Omar Ahmed, has formally appealed to the IMMAF Refereeing and Judging Commission and requested a face‑to‑face technical review and detailed round‑by‑round breakdowns.
- Ali’s run included wins over two‑time European champion Veronika Drozdova and Mexico’s Andrea Gabriela Guzman Salazar, and she competed carrying injuries while crediting medical staff and sponsors for their support.
- Federation officials say the case highlights concerns about judging consistency and panel representation for smaller delegations and could prompt calls for greater transparency in IMMAF officiating.