India, May 26 -- The last time Puja Tomar stepped into the cage, she was moments away from another massive statement win before the fight slipped away from her reach. Now, ahead of her upcoming strawweight bout against Shi Ming on the Road To UFC Season 5 main event on Friday, the Indian fighter says the focus has been brutally honest self-assessment.

Widely regarded as one of India's most dangerous strikers, Puja admitted she had grown comfortable relying on her stand-up game for long stretches of her career and this time, had particularly worked on her grappling and takedown defence.

"It was just that whatever the shortcomings are, we have to improve them," Puja told HT, in a conversation facilitated by Sony Sports. "We have to work h...