# Maliha Ali Wins Bronze as Pakistan Appeals MMA World Championship Decision Pakistan MMA Federation challenges split-decision semi-final loss citing inconsistent judging and systemic bias. - **Source:** [Dawn](https://www.dawn.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4f1eeabb-d523-4a94-9923-1ee4abba9946 ## Injury-Defying Performance Maliha Ali competed in the IMMAF World Championships in Tbilisi despite suffering a fractured toe, a bruised eyelid, and a partially dislocated jaw. Her determination propelled her to the featherweight semi-finals. She famously told the Pakistan MMA Federation president that her fighting spirit outweighed the physical pain of her injuries. ## Controversial Semi-Final Loss Ali faced Russia’s Polina Baldina, a former world champion, in a highly competitive featherweight bout. The fight concluded with a split-decision victory for Baldina, leaving Ali with a bronze medal. The Pakistan MMA Federation immediately filed a formal appeal, claiming the decision was unfair and did not reflect the actual fight. ## Inconsistent Judging Scorecards The judges provided highly disparate scores for the bout, causing significant frustration for the Pakistani delegation. One judge scored the fight 30-27 for Baldina, while another awarded it 29-28 to Ali. A third judge scored it 29-28 for the Russian, highlighting a lack of consensus among the officiating panel during the match. ## Formal Appeal Process The Pakistan MMA Federation has submitted an official letter to the Head of the IMMAF Refereeing and Judging Commission. They are requesting a detailed round-by-round breakdown of the scoring and a face-to-face technical review. The federation seeks clarity on why the judges reached such conflicting conclusions regarding the fight's outcome. ## Systemic Bias Allegations Federation president Omar Ahmed alleged that ex-Soviet states often favor each other in judging panels. He noted that Pakistan had no officials on the panel, while Russia arrived with significant financial backing and multiple fighters. This lack of representation is cited as a major barrier to fair assessment for smaller nations. ## Pattern of Disputed Results The federation highlighted that this is not an isolated incident, as Pakistan also lost a semi-final by split decision at last year’s championships. They argue that inconsistent explanations for similar judging situations make it difficult for national teams to understand the standards. This recurring issue has prompted calls for greater transparency. ## Family Competitive Context The tournament was challenging for the Ali family, as Maliha’s twin sister Manesha also faced a difficult exit. Manesha, who previously won gold at the IMMAF World Cup in Angola, lost a narrow split decision in the lightweight quarter-finals. Both sisters have faced intense competition against international opponents throughout this tournament. ## Future Implications While Maliha Ali departs Georgia with a bronze medal, the pending appeal keeps the outcome of her semi-final in question. The federation remains committed to fighting for a review, aiming to establish more consistent judging standards. The result of this appeal could influence future officiating protocols within the international MMA community. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dawn.com/news/2042574/maliha-ali-takes-bronze-at-mma-worlds-as-pakistan-appeals-semi-final-decision — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._