Pakistan’s pioneering female mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Anita Karim, has been unable to compete in her upcoming bout in Abu Dhabi after failing to obtain a visa in time.
Anita was scheduled to fight at UAE Warriors 67 on January 31 and had been in training for several months for the contest. The match was fully confirmed, and she had completed an intensive training camp, preparing for what would have been her second fight in just three weeks.
Despite her preparations, unresolved visa issues prevented her from travelling to the United Arab Emirates, forcing her withdrawal from the event.
Sharing the update on her X account, Anita described the situation as deeply disappointing. She said that although everything for the fight had been organised and months of hard work had gone into preparation, she could not participate due to administrative delays. She noted that such issues affect more than just a single fight, as they disrupt an athlete’s career progression, momentum, and chance to represent Pakistan on the international stage.
Anita also highlighted the demands placed on professional athletes, particularly women, stating that high-level competition requires months of disciplined training, physical sacrifice, recovery, and mental focus.
Speaking to Geo News, Anita’s manager Yasir Mushtaq said that the event organisers had set a clear deadline for visa processing and waited nearly a week, but the visa was not issued within the required timeframe. As a result, the organisers replaced Anita with another fighter.
Mushtaq added that while Anita is heartbroken by the setback, her next fight is currently planned for April. He urged the authorities to take notice of the issue and appealed to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to intervene, stressing the need to resolve visa-related challenges so that Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter can continue to build her career and compete internationally.