One unexpected casualty of the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan is the death the country’s growing MMA scene. Fighters from the Middle East and former Soviet states have been making serious waves in the UFC recently, but with the Taliban outlawing MMA it’s unlikely that we’ll see an Afghan champ anytime soon.
Abdul Wasi Sharifi, a local MMA promoter, recently told MMAFighting.com that he may well have to leave the country.
Afghan MMA Promoter To Flee Country Following Taliban Crackdown
“I know that many civil activists and journalists were arrested [Thursday] during demonstrations against the Pakistani interference and the Taliban is hitting them with sticks and wire line.
They also hit me when I was at the airport gate. We‘re trying to leave country ASAP and hopefully the MMA community around the world, specially the biggest MMA industry like UFC and other promotion, can help us to leave Afghanistan.
We are one in the combat community.” Sharifi went on to detail the draconian restrictions placed on the sport under the Taliban’s oppressive regime.
“I’ve invested in this sport in Afghanistan and our show was the biggest in the country and region but Taliban is against MMA and they are adding that punching in the face is prohibited under their law.
And also that athletes should wear long trunks till under the knees. We are not able to organize MMA shows in Afghanistan now.
I organized a women’s MMA show two years ago and received many letter threats and phone calls from Taliban regime to stop girls events and models in the show.
We didn’t stop our shows, and again organized women’s shows live on TV. Their law also prohibits organizing [fights] in the cage. It’s a serious matter.
According to them, humans are not like animal to compete in the cage. My team are talking with Taliban and they denied [doing the event] with serious conversations. There is no role for MMA from their side.
Sharifi even received death threats for his role in organizing local MMA events.
“I’ve received calls from an unknown number talking trash to me, saying that I’m not a Muslim, that I was making obscenities in the country, and it was not good for me and my family to do it again.
I posted the video and photos [online] and it made the situation very serious for me. I received a threat letter and so many calls. I was not going out for a few days and was scared, then I deleted the video and photos.”
Australian Jason Hoad, president of Australian MMA promotion BEAST Championship, submitted a refugee and humanitarian visa application for Sharifi and three MMA fighters to settle in Australia.
We hope Sharifi, his family, and his MMA athletes are able to safely settle in a country that will allow them to maintain their passion and dedication to the sport of MMA.
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