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Ramzan Kadyrov’s favorite fighter: Khamzat Chimaev

In December 2023, wedged between posts showing solidarity with Palestine, Khamzat Chimaev published a photo of himself standing side-by-side with Ramzan Kadyrov.

“This man helped me return to life, not only for me and the entire Chechen people,” Chimaev wrote in the caption accompanying the photo of the two men smiling while deep in conversation. “I would like to thank him for everything he has done and is doing for us and our people.” 

This wasn’t the first time that the UFC star has paid allegiance to Kadyrov, the Chechen dictator whose list of crimes include well-documented purges of sexual minorities, extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, forced conscription, and appalling acts of violence to quell all forms of dissent. 

Over the past few years, the Chechen-born Chimaev has emerged as Kadyrov’s favourite fighter, with pictures showing him wining, dining, and training alongside Kadyrov and his family. In exchange for his continued loyalty, Kadyrov has showered Chimaev in gifts, including several Mercedes vehicles, a luxury villa in the Chechen capital of Grozny, and helped facilitate Chimaev’s marriage a few years ago. 

Chimaev’s persistent endorsement of Kadyrov has stirred discontent within the MMA fanbase. Many of his followers inundate his Instagram comments, repeatedly bringing attention to Kadyrov’s human rights violations whenever Chimaev shares a picture of him.

A particularly striking comment on the aforementioned photo read: “Chimaev showing every day why he can’t get a visa and likely won’t be able to fight in the US again…” 

The assertion stemmed from an interview released just before UFC 294 last October, during which Chimaev’s jiu-jitsu coach Alan Nascimento disclosed that the fighter was encountering difficulties entering the United States. Consequently, Chimaev relocated to the United Arab Emirates in hopes of mitigating his travel challenges.

“[Chimaev] just got a 10-year visa in Abu Dhabi and will apply for a type of passport here in the UAE, something like a citizenship, that could be used for travels,” Nascimento said. “Many Russian athletes are suffering with that. Chechens, Dagestani, Russians in general. But I think things will start to flow for Chimaev soon, and for other athletes too.”

“Sports save lives,” he continued. “To see athletes, people that have never committed any crimes and are just trying to live life in a positive manner and serve as example for the next generations, to pay the price and be unable to work because of problems caused by other people, I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t think it’s right. People might condemn what I’m saying, but what does an athlete have to do with a war started by two people that have nothing to do with sports?”

While Nascimento presented Chimaev as the innocent victim of geopolitical circumstance due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is more to the story. 

Why the UFC’s Chimaev can’t fight in the US

In December 2020, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions targeting Kadyrov and his Akhmat MMA fight club.

The Akhmat MMA fight club consists of an MMA organization and several training facilities throughout Chechnya and various other post-Soviet states. The fight club is sponsored by Kadyrov himself through his government’s budget and is managed by Abuzayed Vismuradov, a decorated general and Kadyrov’s right-hand man, who was sanctioned by the United States government in 2019 for his role in Chechnya’s purge of sexual minorities. 

Through his fight club, Kadyrov was able to establish relationships with a seemingly endless list of celebrities, including the likes of former martial artist turned D-list actor Steven Seagal and boxing legends like Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather. 

Kadyrov also invited more than a dozen past and current UFC champions to visit his Akhmat MMA facilities. These associations serve the dictator’s soft power strategy to enhance his public image as a benevolent patron of sports.

However, the OFAC sanctions marked the first time that a country had targeted Kadyrov’s sports investments, paving the way for governments to scrutinize the dictator’s affiliations with American athletes and organizations such as the UFC. 

To read the rest of this feature, please subscribe to Sports Politika.

Sports Politika is the home of Karim Zidan’s original content that focuses on the intersections between sports and politics. At Sports Politika, you can find Zidan covering topics you may be familiar with from the world of MMA and boxing. However, Sports Politika also goes beyond the ring and the cage, covering stories of sportswashing across the world.

Bloody Elbow merch available

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Haim Gozali writes ‘Bloody Elbow’ on bomb

It’s not an everyday occurrence to wake up and find your name, along with that of the outlet you’ve been affiliated with for years, inscribed on artillery shells destined for Gaza.

However, that’s precisely what unfolded yesterday when I logged into Twitter and stumbled upon the unsettling sight of our names inscribed on artillery shells, courtesy of an Israeli MMA fighter who took photos and shared them with me via social media.

“For you,” read the tweet directed at me (since removed for violating X’s policies). 

The photos were taken by Haim Gozali, a far-right MMA fighter who has emerged as a vocal proponent for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza over the past few months. 

Gozali, 50, is among Israel’s best known MMA fighters. He holds a 15-6 professional record, including a five-fight stint in Bellator MMA. He also worked for Bellator as a promoter, scouting talent and matchmaking fights during the organization’s events in Israel. He also heads the Renzo Gracie jiu-jitsu academy in Bat Yam. 

Apart from his tenure in MMA, Gozali served in the Israel Defence Force (IDF) as well as with the border police. He later ran a security company in Tel Aviv that went bankrupt during the covid-19 pandemic. 

I first took notice of Gozali when I saw him post a photo of an artillery shell that he had inscribed with the names of four Muslim UFC fighters: retired former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Chechen star Khamzat Chimaev, and Palestinian fighter Belal Muhammad. 

“This is from me to the [rats emoji],” read the caption of the original post on Twitter. 

Days later, I published an article on Sports Politika exposing his hateful views towards Palestinians, including some genocidal posts on his popular Telegram channel. The article was republished by BloodyElbow, a leading MMA website known for its investigative reporting, which is how Gozali took notice of the piece. 

Look what a crazy article they did about me on one of the most respected websites the world of fighting,” Gozali wrote on Telegram in December 2023. “Their level of incitement crosses all limits.”

Months later, Gozali decided to respond by inscribing our names on artillery shells—a move he orchestrated while the IDF launched air strikes on Rafah along the Egyptian border, adding to a death toll that has surpassed 28,000 people since October. 

Meanwhile, Gozali—who has ties to Netanyahu and his far-right government—continues to celebrate the killing of Palestinian civilians. 

Among his most sickening posts is a recent one featuring a picture of a dead Palestinian baby being wrapped in a white cloth before burial. Gozali posted the picture alongside a second photo of another child and a caption that read: “I found his brother for sale for only 216 shekels, for those who are interested 😂”

Subscribe to Sports Politika

Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription (or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

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Muhammad Ali’s advocacy throughout his career

On a brisk evening in March 1967,  Muhammad Ali stepped into a press conference surrounded by oversized cameras, blinding flashes, and bespectacled reporters. He had just retained his heavyweight titles following a seventh round KO of Korean War veteran Zora Folley. While Ali’s violent victory would have been the headline news on any other day, the undefeated 25-year-old was about to eclipse his own mastery.  

Speaking to the room of reporters in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali explained that he had no intention of fighting in Vietnam. 

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam after so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?” Ali, who had been drafted by the United States military in 1966 and called up for induction in 1967, said at the time. 

And so, on April 27, 1967, Ali attended the induction but refused to answer his name or take the oath. He was arrested and unanimously convicted on draft evasion by an all-white jury in June 1967. The boxer was sentenced to five years in prison (which he avoided on appeal), fined $10,000 and was stripped of his heavyweight titles.

On June 28, 1971, the Supreme Court overturned Ali’s conviction and he resumed his boxing career, handicapped by more than three years in exile from his profession. 

Although Ali successfully regained his titles, reaffirming his position as the world’s premier boxer, it was his choice to protest the Vietnam War and his vocal advocacy for marginalized communities, including African Americans, that elevated him beyond his exceptional athletic feats. In short: it was his courageous activism that solidified his legacy as “the greatest.”

Ali stood with Palestine

Among Muhammad Ali’s lesser known activism was his outspoken support for the Palestinian cause. In 1974—three years after his draft dodging conviction was overturned—Ali visited Beirut during a tour of the Middle East, where he declared that the “United States is the stronghold of Zionism and imperialism.” 

The details of Ali’s trip were chronologized in an article for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency titled “Ali Belts Zionism.” 

Muhammad Ali, who says he is retiring from the ring to spread the faith of Islam, is losing no time throwing right hooks at Zionism. He told a press conference in Beirut, at the start of a tour of the Middle East, that “the United States is the stronghold of Zionism and imperialism.” On a visit later to two Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon, the former heavy-weight boxing champion was quoted by a guerrilla news agency as saying: “In my name and the name of all Muslims in America, I declare support for the Palestinian struggle to liberate their homeland and oust the Zionist invaders.” 

During the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon in 1985, Muhammad Ali traveled to Israel in an attempt to negotiate the release of approximately 700 Shiite Muslim prisoners who had been transferred to the Atlit detention camp in Israel. Ali told the press that he was there “to arrange for the freeing of the Muslim brothers imprisoned by Israel” and that he would be discussing the release of “all 700 brothers” with the “very highest level in the country.”

While Israel declined Ali’s offer, he met with several Israeli officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Ronnie Milo, a member of the right-wing Likud party that is currently chaired by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

In January 1988, Ali was pictured participating in a pro-Palestine rally in Chicago during the First Intifada, a six-year uprising that lasted until the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. 

Ali’s vehement criticism of Israel’s occupation, coupled with his outward support for the Palestinian cause drew ire from segments of the Jewish community. Israeli newspaper Haaretz ran an obituary of Ali in 2016 that accused him of having “frequently clash with the Jewish people.” However, his criticism of the Israeli state should not be conflated with antisemitism. 

When Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped by Islamic extremists in January 2002, Ali pleaded publicly for the Jewish journalist’s release. 

“I appeal to you to show Daniel Pearl compassion and kindness,” said Ali. “Treat him as you would wish all Muslims to be treated by others. Daniel should not become another victim of the ongoing conflict. It is my most sincere prayer that Daniel Pearl be permitted to return safely to his family. May Allah have mercy on us all.”

Pearl was beheaded by his abductors following nine days of captivity. Ali would go on to attend the memorial service two months later. 

As Ali continued to mature, so did his perspective on religion. In his 2004 memoir, Ali summed up this change succinctly: “We all have the same God, we just serve him differently…It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Muslim, a Christian, or a Jew. When you believe in God, you should believe that all people are part of one family. If you love God, you can’t love only some of his children.”

Ali stayed true to his Abrahamic tolerance. In 2012, Ali attended the bar mitzvah of his grandson Jacob Wertheimer, who was born to his daughter Khaliah Ali and her husband Spencer Wertheimer. Jacob had opted to identify with his father’s Jewish religion and culture, which Ali was extremely supportive of. 

“My father was supportive in every way. He followed everything and looked at the Torah very closely. It meant a lot to Jacob that he was there,” Khaliah Ali said.

Ali’s activism and humanity provide a valuable lesson for our times. While vehemently opposing Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, the legendary boxer’s critique remained rooted in political disagreement, steering clear of antisemitic sentiments. His unwavering support for Jewish friends and family, coupled with profound respect for the Jewish religion, underscores that crucial distinction.

May we all learn to champion causes without succumbing to prejudice. 

Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription (or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

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Bloody Elbow is pleased to announce our partnership with Revgear. They have been a pioneer in the MMA gear industry and have grown into a formidable brand and true leader in the market. Revgear now have Bloody Elbow t-shirts, hoodies and hats so you can show your support for independent MMA journalism.

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Discussing the Saudi Arabian strategy in MMA and Boxing

Over the past eight years, Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy has transformed from a simple reputation management tool to a comprehensive soft power plan encompassing regional diplomacy, economic diversification, global impact, and a continuous stream of entertainment for the nation’s youth.

Few understand the kingdom’s recent transformation like Stanis Elsborg, the senior analyst for Danish initiative Play the Game, who recently published a groundbreaking piece of research titled “The power players behind Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy.” His research, which mapped out the inner circle behind Saudi Arabia’s sports endeavour and revealed more than 300 Saudi sponsorships in sports, has been tremendously useful to my own work over the past few months. 

On this week’s episode of the Sports Politika podcast, Stanis delved into his research, as well as continued expansion of Saudi’s influence in sports. He also discussed the lessons learned from Qatar 2022 and what fans, journalists and activists can do to centre human rights ahead of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. 

Subscribe to the Sports Politika podcast

At Sports Politika, you can find Karim Zidan covering topics you may be familiar with from the world of MMA and boxing. However, Sports Politika also goes beyond the ring and the cage, covering stories of sportswashing across the world.

If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription (or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

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Bloody Elbow is pleased to announce our partnership with Revgear. They have been a pioneer in the MMA gear industry and have grown into a formidable brand and true leader in the market. Revgear now have Bloody Elbow t-shirts, hoodies and hats so you can show your support for independent MMA journalism.

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Bigotry took center stage at UFC 297

When Sean Strickland arrived at the UFC 297 pre-fight media event in Toronto last week clad in a T-shirt that read: “A woman in every kitchen, a gun in every hand,” it should have been abundantly clear what type of circus the UFC was bringing to town.  

For years, Strickland—a self-professed former neo-Nazi—has fashioned himself as the organization’s far-right, xenophobic and chauvinistic fighter. Ahead of his previous fight at UFC 293 in Sydney, he made a series of sexist comments and bragged about punching a fan in the stomach, which government officials in New South Wales later condemned after facing pressure to defend spending $16m to bring the controversial sport to the state. He has also made a slew of racist comments and once tweeted that ‘if I had a gay son I would think I failed as a man to create such weakness…”

The latter statement would come back to haunt Strickland when journalist Alexander K. Lee questioned the UFC champ about the tweet and his overt anti-LGBTQ+ views. Strickland responded by launching into an homophobic tirade while singling Lee out as the “definition of weakness.”

“You’re part of the fucking problem,” Strickland said. “You elected Justin Trudeau, and he seized the bank accounts. You’re just fucking pathetic. And the fact that you have no fucking backbone, and have him shut down your country and seize fucking bank accounts, and you ask me some stupid shit like that? Go fuck yourself.”

Lee, who managed to remain composed despite Strickland’s attack, followed up with a question about Bud Light, a UFC sponsor that the fighter had previously criticized for supporting a trans influencer. Strickland doubled down with an unhinged transphobic rant. 

“Here’s the thing about Bud Light,” Strickland said. “Ten years ago, to be trans was a mental fucking illness. And all of a sudden, people like you have fucking weaselled your way in the world. You are an infection. You are the definition of weakness. Everything that is wrong with the world is because of fucking you. And the best thing is, the world’s not buying it. The world’s not buying your fucking bullshit that you’re fucking peddling. The world is not saying, ‘you know what, you’re right, chicks have dicks.’

“The world’s not saying that. The world’s saying, ‘there are two genders, I don’t want my kids being taught about who they can fuck in school, I don’t want my kids being taught about their sexual preference.’ Like, this guy [pointing to Lee] is a fucking enemy. You want to look at the enemy to our world? It’s that motherfucker right there. Asking me stupid fucking questions.”

Strickland’s deranged statements about a marginalized community made headlines—almost all of which were negative—but did not lead to any consequences from the UFC or its media partner ESPN. UFC President Dana White later claimed that Strickland was “baited” into an exchange with Lee and that he has no intention to “control what people say.” 

The UFC’s distance from its own Code of Conduct policy

Of course, this is a typical response from the UFC—an organization where bigotry is a feature, not a bug. 

Strickland would go on to lose his UFC middleweight title in a split decision loss to South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis on Saturday night—a result that appears to be karmic justice. However, Du Plessis, a white Afrikaners, has also made some racially charged statements disregarding the African lineage of several Black UFC fighters, including former champs Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, both of whom were born in Nigeria. 

“Did those belts ever go to Africa?” Du Plessis asked reporters at UFC 285 media day. “As far as I know, they came to America and New Zealand. I’m going to take a belt to Africa. I’m the African fighter in the UFC.”

When a reporter then asked White about the potential “racial undertones” of Du Plessis’ words, the UFC president shut down the question, adding “who gives a shit, this is the fight business.”

The problem is that the UFC did give a shit once upon a time. The organization even had an official “Athlete Conduct Policy,” which deemed that UFC fighters “shall conduct themselves in accordance with commonly accepted standards of decency, social conventions and morals, and will not commit any act or become involved in any situation or occurrence or make any statement which will reflect negatively upon or bring disrepute, contempt, scandal, ridicule, or disdain to the athlete or UFC.” The UFC utilized this policy in 2013 when it suspended Nate Diaz for using a homophobic slur in a social media post.  

Now, however, the policy is not worth the paper it is written on. Much of this is due to the organization’s hands-off approach to hateful conduct—a strategy motivated by the UFC’s determination to present itself as an alternative for conservative audiences dissatisfied with the rise of social justice narratives in leagues such as the NFL and NBA. 

To read the rest of this feature, please subscribe to Sports Politika.

Sports Politika is the home of Karim Zidan’s original content that focuses on the intersections between sports and politics. At Sports Politika, you can find Zidan covering topics you may be familiar with from the world of MMA and boxing. However, Sports Politika also goes beyond the ring and the cage, covering stories of sportswashing across the world.

Bloody Elbow merch available

Bloody Elbow is pleased to announce our partnership with Revgear. They have been a pioneer in the MMA gear industry and have grown into a formidable brand and true leader in the market. Revgear now have Bloody Elbow t-shirts, hoodies and hats so you can show your support for independent MMA journalism.

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This post was originally published on Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika Substack.

How athletes are responding to the war in Gaza

After scoring for his team against Trabzonspor on Sunday, Sagiv Jehezkel—an Israeli footballer playing in the Turkish league—celebrated the goal by jogging over the corner of the field, where a group of cameramen and photographers were huddled in position. He pointed to a handwritten message on a bandage on his left wrist that included the Star of David and “100 days, 7/10.” 

Jehezkel’s message—a reference to the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and the number of days that more than 130 Israeli hostages have been held in Gaza—drew fierce criticism from all corners of Turkish society. The Israeli footballer was suspended from his club Antalyaspor while Turkey’s justice minister Yilmaz Tunc announced an investigation into Jehezkel for “inciting people to hatred and hostility.” 

Turkish authorities detained Jehezkel after the match and placed him in police custody. He was released on Monday after being questioned overnight by police regarding his goal celebration. The footballer rejected accusations of inciting hatred, saying that his message was intended to be a call to end the war in Gaza. 

“I did not act to incite or provoke anyone. I am not a pro-war person,” broadcaster NTV reported Jehezkel as saying. “There are Israeli soldiers held hostage in Gaza. I am someone who believes that this 100-day period should end now. 

“I want the war to end,” he continued. “That’s why I showed the message here.” 

In a separate incident, Istanbul club Basaksehir said it would bring disciplinary action against Israeli midfielder Eden Kartsev for harming “sensitive values” in Turkey. Kartsev was also briefly detained on Monday about a social media post in which he called for the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. 

The incidents involving Jehezkel and Kartsev reflect the challenges confronted by players expressing their views on the the war in Gaza, underscoring that, despite attempts to steer clear, sports remains entangled in the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

France’s minister of the interior accused French-Algerian footballer Karim Benzema of having ties with the Muslim Brotherhood after he expressed support for Palestine back in October. A French senator later called for Benzema to be stripped of his Ballon d’Or—the highest individual award for a football player—and to be deprived of his French nationality.

Dutch-Moroccan footballer Anwar El Ghazi had his contract with Bundesliga club Mainz 05 terminated following a pair of social media posts, one of which included the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Earlier this month, Youcef Atal, an Algerian footballer playing for French club Nice, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence and was fined 45,000 euros after a court found him guilty of inciting religious hatred after sharing an Instagram video of a preacher promoting attacks on Israelis. Atal later apologized and said he condemns violence “no matter where in the world.” 

What some Footballers and Combat Sports Stars are saying about Gaza

Football became firmly embedded in the ongoing war shortly after Christmas, when harrowing footage emerged showing Israeli troops turning Yarmouk stadium into a makeshift internment camp for Palestinian detainees, drawing parallels to Pinochet and Franco. Dozens of men, women and children were rounded up, stripped down to their underwear, and blindfolded while armed soldiers and tanks encircled the field. A soldier carrying a baby wrapped in a blanket could be seen at the end of the video.

More footage continued to emerge, including photos showing tanks patrolling the field, soldiers posing in front of a group of detained women and children, and blindfolded men and women forced to kneel in front of a goal with the Israeli flag attached to the netting.  

The transformation of Yarmouk Stadium into a detention centre led the Palestinian Football Federation to send letters to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA demanding an “urgent international probe into (Israeli) occupation crimes against sports and athletes in Palestine”.

“This blatant and scandalous violation of all covenants is added to a long series of violations against Palestinian sports, including the killing and arrest of players,” read the PFF statement. “This is a crime that the international sports institutions cannot tolerate, silence and ignore.”

Meanwhile, the AFC Asian Cup kicked off in Qatar with potent tributes to several Arab countries and cultures, including Palestine. Qatari singer Dana Al Meer performed a rendition of Lebanese diva Fairuz’s Zahrat Al-Mada’in—one of the most celebrated songs about Palestine in the Arab world. 

The Palestinian national team, which is participating in this month’s Asian Cup, is also carrying the burden of the ongoing war, where more than 24,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began bombing the besieged strip more than 100 days ago. 

“Everyone is glued to the news, before and after training, be it on the bus or at the hotel,” Palestine’s Tunisian coach, Makram Daboub, told AFP during a recent training camp in Saudi Arabia, shortly before arriving in Qatar. The players, Daboub said, “have a constant feeling of anxiety for their families”.

In December, the Palestine’s football federation released a report detailing the killing of 55 football players since Oct. 7, the vast majority of whom were under the age of 18. Since then, more names have been added to the list, including Hani Al-Masry, the former football player and general manager of the national Olympic team. 

Beyond football, the ongoing war has taken a toll on other sports as well. Twelve days before the Under-20 men’s world championship, the International Ice Hockey Federation announced a ban on Israel due to “concerns for the safety and security of all participants.” 

The following day, the IIHF indicated that Israel could still participate in upcoming world championships and that the decision only applies to the under-20 tournament in Bulgaria. 

The Israel-Palestine discourse is also permeating the combat sports space. 

Following his most recent fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, Chechen-born star Khamzat Chimaev called for “peace” in his post-fight interview in English before asking dictator Ramzan Kadyrov to send him to Palestine to die with his Muslim brothers in a follow-up message in Chechen. Meanwhile, Haim Gozali—a far-right Israeli MMA fighter—made headlines after inscribing an artillery shell bound for Gaza with the names of Muslim MMA fighters. 

Gozali’s actions caused outrage online, as many of those same artillery shells were responsible for much of the devastation in Gaza. For example, Nagham Abu Samra, a Palestinian karate champion who lost her leg in an Israeli air strike in Gaza last month that killed her sister Rosanne, died in Egypt after being taken to the country for treatment. The 24-year-old owned a Gaza-based gym where she offered karate training to girls and young women. 

“I wanted every girl to feel her strength from within, not from those surrounding her,” Abu Samra said in a Ted Talks spotlight interview in 2021. “I also wanted for them to be able to protect themselves and be able to make their own decisions in life.”

In the wake of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, there is a growing call for international governing bodies to take action against Israel. Both Palestine and Jordan’s football federations are demanding that FIFA and the International Olympic Federation place sanctions on Israel’s sports federations, arguing that the international sports community had a duty to “stop the aggression against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.”

Yet neither FIFA nor the IOC have issued statements condemning Israel’s assault on Gaza. While both were quick to take action following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including banning Russia from participating in the 2022 World Cup and forcing Russian athletes to participate as neutrals at the Paris Games later this year, they have refused to take similar action against Israel. IOC officials later absolved itself of responsibility by claiming that the “two situations cannot be compared.”

The escalating pressure on entities such as the IOC and FIFA serves as a poignant illustration of the sports world becoming increasingly enmeshed in the Israel-Palestine narrative. And as the death toll continues to rise and a humanitarian ceasefire remains out of reach, we will likely see more examples of athletes protesting their cause, and activists amplifying calls for sanctions.

Will sports leaders heed their call?

Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription (or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

Bloody Elbow merch available

Bloody Elbow is pleased to announce our partnership with Revgear. They have been a pioneer in the MMA gear industry and have grown into a formidable brand and true leader in the market. Revgear now have Bloody Elbow t-shirts, hoodies and hats so you can show your support for independent MMA journalism.

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This post was originally published on Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika Substack.

A blast from the past with this Russian oligarch

It isn’t everyday that you wake up to find out that you had pissed off a Russian oligarch. 

To my astonishment, that is exactly what happened to me last week when, amidst a sea of mundane job applications and spam that typically flood my LinkedIn inbox, I discovered this captivating note awaiting me.

Fun story: I used to teach English to Ziyavudin Magomedov (pre-him going to prison) and he’d request news articles to study with, and obviously very often your articles would pop up. You have noooo idea how bad you pissed him off! Haha! Anyway thought you’d have fun with that! Have a great day! :)

The messenger, who shall remain anonymous to protect their identity, was referencing Ziyavudin Magomedov, the Russian billionaire and founder of Summa Group, one of Russia’s largest diversified private holdings. Magomedov was arrested in 2018 (reportedly under politically motivated circumstances) on charges of embezzlement and racketeering and was sentenced to 19 years in prison in December 2022. 

Magomedov appeared on my radar in 2016, when reports began to swirl that the oligarch was interested in purchasing the UFC. I penned my first article on the oligarch for the Bloody Elbow Newsletter later that same year titled, “An in-depth look at the mysterious billionaire who attempted to buy the UFC and now promotes Fedor in Russia.”

“Russian oligarch share many things in common: ostentatious behavior, lavish lifestyles, and questionable pasts are some of the ones that come to mind. Few, however, can be found in a Moscow gym, dressed in a tracksuit, training with professional fighters,” read the lede. “Ziyavudin Magomedov is not your average Russian billionaire.”

Ziyavudin Magomedov had interesting ties with the UFC and MMA

In the article, I delved into Magomedov’s extraordinary journey from a difficult childhood in Makhachkala, Dagestan—one of Russia’s most impoverished republics—to one of the country’s most prosperous businessmen with an estimated wealth of $3 billion. 

I argued that Magomedov’s success coincided with Dmitry Medvedev’s tenure as Russia’s president (2008-2012). However, that period of prosperity came to an end upon Putin’s return to office in 2012. Putin forcibly nationalized several of Magomedov’s assets and weakened Summa Group’s political influence. As a result, Magomedov’s fortune plummeted to $800 million in 2013. 

Over the next few years, Magomedov reinvented himself as a venture capitalist and invested hundreds of millions in high-tech start ups, as well as transportation, robotics, agricultural, industrial and consumer projects. He became the co-executive chairman of Los Angeles-based tech firm Virgin Hyperloop One alongside Richard Branson, and even fashioned himself as a combat sports enthusiast and invested in various mixed martial arts related projects. 

In 2016, Magomedov reportedly attempted to purchase the UFC before Endeavor acquired full control of the organization for $4 billion. Undeterred, the Russian oligarch went on to purchase a controlling stake in Fight Nights Global (now AMC Fight Nights), a prominent Russian MMA organization at the time. 

At this point, things took a peculiar turn.

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Sports Politika is the home of Karim Zidan’s original content that focuses on the intersections between sports and politics. At Sports Politika, you can find Zidan covering topics you may be familiar with from the world of MMA and boxing. However, Sports Politika also goes beyond the ring and the cage, covering stories of sportswashing across the world.

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Watching MMA with a war criminal in Russia

Q: Hey Karim, I’ve seen you reflect on your time in Russia in some of your interviews and newsletters and was wondering if you had any more stories to share that you haven’t told before?  

A: There are plenty of stories from my time in Russia that I keep close to my chest. There was the time I debated an ex-KGB officer on global politics while going shot-for-shot in a hotel room in St. Petersburg; the time I attended an oligarch’s raunchy birthday party on the River Neva; or the time I climbed to the top of the Olympic Rings in a drunken haze. 

Today, however, I want to share a story about the time I ended up being cornered into watching part of an MMA event with Yunus-bek Yevkurov, who at the time was president of the Russian republic of Ingushetia.

My encounter with Yevkurov took place during a particularly memorable trip to Sochi in October 2015—a trip that began with FSB agents boarding my flight as it touched down in the coastal town. To my surprise, one of the agents instructed all passengers to remain seated while his colleague meticulously filmed each of us with a camcorder. It wasn’t until later that I discovered the reason behind these heightened security measures: Vladimir Putin and his inner circle of oligarchs had chosen Sochi as the venue to celebrate the Russian leader’s 63rd birthday.

Putin, who had not been back in Sochi since the 2014 Winter Olympics, was also there to attend the 2015 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix. The race happened to take place next door to where Russian fight league M-1 Global was hosting its latest MMA event. I remember hearing the roar of the race cars as they bolted around the bend of the track, and could even spot the blurs zooming by when I climbed onto the bleachers on the left side of the outdoor arena.

While there were rumours going around that Putin might show up at the M-1 show, he never did. Instead, the guest of honour was Yevkurov, who was no stranger to MMA or to utilizing the sport for political gain. 

Yevkurov was appointed third President of Ingushetia by the Kremlin in October 2008. At the time, the southern Russian republic was subject to regular attacks from Islamic militants, and political violence between various clans. Yevkurov’s predecessor, Murat Zyazikov, was accused of widespread corruption and had proven incapable of dealing with the growing wave of insurgency within the republic. Yevkurov, on the other hand, was able to crack down on corruption within his government. Though an attempt on his life was made in 2009, Yevkurov has managed to dramatically decrease the number of attacks and the overall level of violence in the republic.

Yevkurov and MMA promotion M-1 Global

Yevkurov also attempted to divert Ingush youth away from a potential life of insurgency and towards sports and the disciplined lifestyle that accompanies them. Among his initiatives was to sponsor M-1 Global events in Ingushetia. 

The first such event took place in June 2012 and quickly evolved into an annual partnership between M-1 Global and the Ingush government, each year drawing an even greater attendance from the local population and furthering Yevkurov’s goal of sports socialization. However, this also made it a target for insurgents.

In June 2014, a suicide bomber was arrested by security forces in Ingushetia for planning an attack on the M-1 Challenge 49: “Battle in the Mountains 3” event. The event ended up drawing 23, 255 fans — a record attendance for an MMA event in Russia that even the inaugural UFC show in Moscow was unable to top.

Over the next few years, the M-1’s MMA events in Ingushetia became a staple of the government’s sports socialization program, as well as an opportunity to provide the illusion of a peaceful and flourishing republic.

“This event was to boost the development of the tourism industry’, Yevkurov said in a prepared statement during the 2015 edition of the ‘M-1: Battle of the Mountains’ event. ‘We want to present Ingushetia as a safe and peaceful republic, where one can hold such large-scale events. We wanted to show the traditions and culture of our people and the beauty of our beloved country. I think that we have succeeded.”

Although Yevkurov seldom made appearances at M-1 events beyond Ingushetia, his presence in Sochi was due to the fact that one of the republic’s esteemed stars, Adam Yandiev, was scheduled to compete on the show. He arrived at the arena accompanied by a retinue of loyal followers and embarked on a tour the facility. As fate would have it, his path led him to the broadcast booth where I was preparing to provide commentary for the fights, alongside the renowned UFC pioneer Ian Freeman.

With tired eyes and a prominent, thick black moustache, the Ingush president extended his hand in greeting and, upon realizing that I was not Russian, began searching for a way to communicate effectively. Suddenly, a word escaped his lips that resonated with me, “мусульманин”—Muslim. Realizing his inquiry about my religious affiliation, I responded with a simple “да” (yes). His astonishment was palpable and he took hold of my hand, leading me back to his group. Introducing me to each member in succession, he proudly announced, “мусульманин.” Despite all of them being Muslims themselves, they celebrated my presence as though I were the first of my kind. Evidently, there weren’t many of us around. 

In a sudden whirlwind of events, Yevkurov guided me to prime seats in the front row and seated me next to him. Despite my attempts to convey that I was meant to be providing commentary for those specific fights, I found myself sandwiched between the president and his loyal associates throughout the entire opening bout. It wasn’t until some time later that I managed to mime an explanation for my departure, and escaped back to my broadcast seat beside Freeman. Initially furious, Freeman eventually burst into laughter, recognizing the sheer absurdity of the circumstances. I vividly recall him saying, “Only in Russia.”

Though this tale may appear as nothing more than an amusing anecdote from my experiences in Russia, several intriguing developments have since transpired, prompting me to reassess the significance of that particular incident. 

In June 2019, under the weight of mounting public protests following a contentious land demarcation plan with neighboring Chechnya, Yevkurov stepped down as the president of Ingushetia. However, less than one month later, he resurfaced in a surprising new role, appointed by Putin himself as the deputy minister of defense—a role he continues to maintain during the course of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

There was once a time when I would tell this story to friends and frame it in the context of one of many eccentric characters that I encountered in Russia. Yet, today, the narrative is far more significant: the interchangeable nature of Russian politicians, their penchant for leveraging combat sports as a means of political advantage, and the pivotal role these individuals can assume in the realm of geopolitical affairs, particularly during times of conflict.

Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

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This post was originally published on Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika Substack.

Mo Salah’s initial silence on Gaza was deafening 

Amidst the dilapidated, misshapen buildings that characterize much of downtown Cairo lies a mural of Mohamed Salah that was once a place of pilgrimage. 

Nestled alongside cultural icons such as the divine diva Umm Kulthum and novelist Naguib Mahfouz, the Egyptian footballer’s face looks out over a street café where locals gathered to watch Salah’s Liverpool games. It was a testament to Salah’s unmatched popularity across the Arab world, where he has bestowed with many titles, including the Prince of Egypt, the King of Egypt, the Fourth Pyramid, and the Pride of the Arabs. 

Yet in the wake of Oct. 7 and Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, Salah’s popularity has taken a significant hit. 

At first, this was due to the length of time that Salah took to comment on the war and the ensuing humanitarian crisis. For nearly 10 days, Salah remained silent while more than 3000 Palestinians were killed in the besieged strip. 

Social media took aim at the Egyptian star. Some shamed Salah for his silence, while others accused him of being more “British than Egyptian.” Critics pointed to other Europe-based Egyptian players—Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ahmed Hassan Kouka, and Sam Morsy—who had expressed solidarity with Gaza. Salah, they argued, had shown his true colours. 

“It’s much nicer, and more beneficial, to count your millions than to count dead Palestinian bodies,” read one comment on Instagram. 

Salah’s silence was even the topic of debate on Egyptian television, including on the popular Egyptian talk show Al Hekaya (The Story) hosted by Amr Adeeb. 

“Everyone sees you as the Pride of the Arabs and to be the Pride of the Arabs you must not abandon the Arabs when they need you the most,” Mr Adeeb said in a segment in October. 

“There is still time. To arrive late is better than not to arrive at all. This is the time to speak up,” he continued. 

Salah: More Than A Footballer

Some of that public pressure seemed to die down on Oct. 16 when the Egyptian Red Crescent announced that the Liverpool star had made a “significant donation” to provide aid to the people of Gaza. 

The next day, Mo Salah posted a short video on his social media platforms calling for humanitarian aid to be sent to Gaza. 

“It’s not always easy to speak in times like this. There has been too much violence and too much heartbreaking brutality,” the 31-year-old forward said in the video message delivered straight to the camera. “The escalations in recent weeks have been unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop, families are being torn apart.

“Humanity must prevail,” he concluded.

Even then, Salah received some backlash from those who felt his message was “too neutral” and should have been more critical of Israel’s actions. On Twitter, one user suggested Salah was participating in “neutral activism” while another replied to Salah’s video saying “your sweet non-condemning statement wronged us.”

As the most famous Arab and Muslim athlete in the world, Salah was a symbol of hope and a source of pride for a country that had precious little to celebrate over the past decade. He led Egypt to its first World Cup appearance in 28 years and ascended to legend status with Liverpool, contributing to the team’s victories in the Premier League and Champions League and scoring over 200 goals in the process.

Nevertheless, skepticism towards Salah surfaced during the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. His teammate Amr Warda faced accusations of sexual harassment, resulting in his removal from the national team and sparking a countrywide scandal. Salah responded by defending his teammate on social media, saying that “everyone deserves a second chance.” Warda was reinstated to the team shortly following Salah’s statement.  

Four years on, Salah is now confronted with a broader array of critics questioning whether he genuinely embodies the pride of the Arabs. 

To read the rest of this feature, please subscribe to Sports Politika.

Sports Politika is the home of Karim Zidan’s original content that focuses on the intersections between sports and politics. At Sports Politika, you can find Zidan covering topics you may be familiar with from the world of MMA and boxing. However, Sports Politika also goes beyond the ring and the cage, covering stories of sportswashing across the world.

Bloody Elbow merch available

Bloody Elbow is pleased to announce our partnership with Revgear. They have been a pioneer in the MMA gear industry and have grown into a formidable brand and true leader in the market. Revgear now have Bloody Elbow t-shirts, hoodies and hats so you can show your support for independent MMA journalism.

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This post was originally published on Sports Politika Substack.

Israeli MMA fighter uses platform to celebrate Palestinian deaths

Mohamed Abu Samra only had two days to mourn the death of his twin brother Ahmed, killed during Israel’s bombardment of Southern Gaza on Dec. 7, 2023, before he was met with the same tragic fate. 

Abu Samra, a Palestinian journalist and sports photographer, had been covering the ongoing war in Gaza when he was killed as part of Israel’s vicious assault on the Gaza Strip. His death was confirmed by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. 

While touching tributes have since poured in for Abu Samra—one of at least 63 journalists and media workers who have been killed since the war broke out on Oct. 7—an Israeli MMA fighter named Haim Gozali took to social media to celebrate the Palestinian journalist’s death. 

“The “journalist” and “sports photographer” Muhammad Abu Samra was eliminated 🥳🍾,” Gozali wrote in a post accompanied by a picture of Abu Samra with a pig snout and ears added to it. “Two days before, his twin Ahmed was eliminated, now they will be able to rest the pigs together 😁”

Gozali, 50, is among Israel’s best known MMA fighters. He holds a 15-6 professional record, including a five-fight stint in Bellator MMA. He also worked for Bellator as a promoter, scouting talent and matchmaking fights during the organization’s events in Israel. He also heads the Renzo Gracie jiu-jitsu academy in Bat Yam. 

Apart from his tenure in MMA, Gozali served in the Israel Defence Force (IDF) as well as with the border police. He later ran a security company in Tel Aviv that went bankrupt during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

However, in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, Gozali has emerged as a vocal proponent for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. 

The fighter’s social media presence, particularly on his Telegram channel, is fueled by unbridled hatred towards Palestinians. Over the past two months, he mocked Palestinians fleeing their homes in Gaza, spread misinformation of crisis actors pretending to be dead Palestinians, and celebrated as Israel intensified its siege of Gaza. 

Perhaps the most shocking of Gozali’s posts was a picture of an artillery shell that he had inscribed with the names of four Muslim UFC fighters: retired former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Chechen star Khamzat Chimaev, and Palestinian fighter Belal Muhammad. The shell was bound for Gaza. 

“This is from me to the [rats emoji],” read the caption of the original post on Twitter. 

Gozali’s deeply insensitive post was not well received. He was accused of Islamophobia and of promoting genocidal tendencies, while the image was removed from various social media platforms. 

Haim Gozali has targeted UFC fighters for their pro-Palestinian stances

This isn’t the first time that Gozali has taken aim at these specific UFC fighters. Back in September, he challenged Chimaev to a fight after the latter said that Israelis were “just guests of Palestine, respect them for giving you asylum. One day they will expel you from Palestine, Inshallah.”

Nevertheless, Gozali appears to have targeted the four Muslim fighters in the artillery shell post for their vocal support for Palestine since the outbreak of the war. 

For example, Nurmagomedov, a former UFC lightweight champion and one of the most popular Muslim athletes in the world, has repeatedly expressed solidarity with Gaza while drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the besieged enclave. As civilian casualties mounted, he referred to Israel’s bombardment as “genocide” and wrote that “no one deserves to be bombed just because they were born where they were born.”

While Gozali is one of countless voices spreading hate on social media, it is important to note that he is also a prominent figure in Israel. In 2017, he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset ahead of Bellator 188 in Tel Aviv. Gozali, who was accompanied by legendary fighters Fedor Emelianenko and Royce Gracie, gifted Netanyahu a pair of branded MMA gloves and posed for a photo-op.

“I need some of these gloves,” Netanyahu said as he tried on the gloves. “I’m constantly punching without them.”

Gozali continues to spread hate

Last year, Gozali attempted to co-promote an event in Tel Aviv with Brave CF, an MMA organization owned by Bahraini prince Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The event, dubbed “Fighting for Peace,” was supposed to highlight the growing relationship between Israel and Bahrain after the two countries established full diplomatic relations in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords. 

Gozali even met with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Israel at the embassy in Tel Aviv, where the two discussed the planned cooperation through MMA. Netanyahu later commented that that “sport connects between people and this event is yet another factor in strengthening Israel’s relationship with Bahrain.”

The event was canceled in February 2023 after Brave CF released a cryptic statement informing fans of the “decision to cancel the upcoming event in Israel due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Though Gozali is yet to host another MMA event since his failed attempt at sports diplomacy with Bahrain, he continues to spread Islamophobic and hateful messages while cheering the murder of Palestinians.

In a recent post, Gozali shared the now-infamous photo of the Palestinian men who had been captured by IDF soldiers and were forced to strip and kneel in front of their captors. 

“This time, the work must be finished,” read the caption. 

Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

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Tributes from the sports world to Henry Kissinger leave out horrifying parts of his legacy

Hours after the world found out about the passing of Henry Kissinger—one of the most reviled war criminals of the 20th century—last week, the International Olympic Committee published a statement mourning the loss of a “longtime friend of the Olympic Movement.” 

The statement went on to refer to Kissinger as a tireless advocate of the “power of the Olympic Games to bring the world together in peaceful competition” and how he was “instrumental in shaping the broader role of the IOC and the Olympic Games within society.”

Furthermore, the statement included quotes from IOC President Thomas Bach, who noted that Kissinger gave him “invaluable advice in all the many geopolitical issues the world and sport had to face in recent years.”

What the statement failed to mention, however, was the controversial American diplomat’s morally reprehensible policies during his tenure as Secretary of State of the United States, as well as the war crimes he orchestrated in Southeast Asia.

One of the most significant and controversial aspects of Kissinger’s legacy is his role in the Vietnam War. As National Security Advisor under President Richard Nixon, Kissinger was a key architect of the policies that prolonged the conflict. 

However, his actions went beyond mere policy implementation.

Kissinger authorized a secret carpet bombing campaign in Cambodia and Laos without the consent or knowledge of Congress, which he knew would not approve such an attack on a neutral country that was not at war with the United States. Between 1969-73, the U.S. dropped half-a-million tons of bombs on Cambodia alone, killing more than 100,000 people and leading to the eventual destabilization of the country.

It is partly due to the indiscriminate nature of these bombings, as well as the lack of strategic justification for the attacks that led to Kissinger being labeled a war criminal. However, instead of standing trial, Kissinger was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1973.

Another troubling chapter in Kissinger’s legacy is his role in the 1973 coup in Chile that toppled the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. Documents declassified in recent years reveal that Kissinger, as Secretary of State, actively supported and encouraged the military junta led by General Augusto Pinochet. This support was extended despite knowledge of the junta’s human rights abuses, including the infamous “Caravan of Death.”

Over the years, plenty of activists and human rights lawyers have sought Kissinger’s prosecution for alleged war crimes. Yet instead of being held to account, Kissinger was awarded distinctions such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and the Medal of Liberty in 1986. He also continued to be embraced by Washington’s political elites.

How Henry Kissinger used sports to his advantage 

Beyond his influence in Washington, Henry Kissinger also knew how to leverage sports as part of his diplomatic arsenal. He was an avid football fan who helped arrange Pelé’s move to New York Cosmos in 1975 as part of a plan to improve relations between the US and Brazil. He also attended the 1978 World Cup in Argentina as the guest of honour of dictator Jorge Rafael Videla. 

According to declassified documents from the US Department of State, US Ambassador to Argentina Raul Castro expressed concern “that Kissinger’s repeated high praise for Argentina’s action in wiping out terrorism and his stress on the importance of Argentina may have gone to some considerable extent to his hosts’ heads. Despite his disclaimers that the methods used in fighting terrorism must not be perpetuated, there is some danger that Argentines may use Kissinger’s laudatory statements as justification for hardening their human rights stance.”

Kissinger also served on the Olympics 2000 Commission, which sought to draft reforms in response to the 2002 Winter Olympic bid bribery scandal. He was later made an IOC honorary member. 

In his later years, Kissinger sought to distance himself from his warmongering past by becoming a spokesperson for the Olympics as a harbinger of peace. 

Kissinger attended the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics despite concerns over China’s human rights record. He later told Chinese state media that “one should separate Olympics as a sporting event from whatever political disagreements people may have had with China.”

In a 2019 LA Times oped, he wrote: “The Olympic Games offer a glimpse of a wider truth: The presence of competition does not necessitate the advent of conflict. The Games demonstrate our shared capacity to make commonality, and not difference, and, in so doing, opens the possibility of compartmentalizing our national and regional interests, contending with each other in one area while collaborating in another. 

“Of course, the Games alone cannot prevent wars or end conflicts. But, by providing a framework in which competition and cooperation coexist, the Olympics may be taken as inspiration in an international search for understanding through and alongside contestation.”

While Kissinger utilized sports as a diplomatic tool, his morally reprehensible policies and orchestration of war crimes in Southeast Asia cast a shadow over his supposed commitment to peace. This stark hypocrisy not only raises questions about the sincerity of Kissinger’s advocacy but also highlights a broader concern about the integrity of the Olympic movement itself.

Henry Kissinger has the blood of at least three million people on his hands, yet he managed to live long enough to reinvent himself as a peace advocate through sports. If this doesn’t shake your confidence in sports as a catalyst for meaningful change, it’s hard to imagine what would.

Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

Bloody Elbow merch available

Bloody Elbow is pleased to announce our partnership with Revgear. They have been a pioneer in the MMA gear industry and have grown into a formidable brand and true leader in the market. Revgear now have Bloody Elbow t-shirts, hoodies and hats so you can show your support for independent MMA journalism.

In the wake of a knife attack that left three children injured, anti-migrant riots erupted in Dublin last week—riots that police later described as the worst violence that the Irish capital has endured in decades. 

Public transport and other vehicles were set ablaze while shops were looted as rioters took to the streets on Thursday night. More than 400 police officers were deployed in response to the unrest, several of whom were assaulted during clashes. 34 people were arrested following the chaos.

The riots began several hours after rumours spread that stabbings were committed by an assailant who was an immigrant. (The identity of the attacker has not been revealed but it is worth noting that it was an immigrant fast food courier who stepped in to stop the attack) 

“What we saw last night was an extraordinary outbreak of violence,” Garda (Irish police) commissioner Drew Harris said during a press conference Friday, adding that the riots were the result of a “lunatic, hooligan faction driven by a far-right ideology.”

Tensions have been high in Ireland over the past year due to several high-profile crimes committed by foreign nationals, which in turn has spurred far-right anti-immigration campaigning and propaganda. Last week, a Slovakian man was sentenced for the 2022 murder teacher Ashling Murphy, while an Iraqi-born man was sentenced last month for the murder of two gay men in April 2022. 

Meanwhile, several influencers and notable celebrities have been fanning the flames of anti-immigrant sentiment, chief among them is UFC superstar Conor McGregor.  

Conor McGregor stoking anti-migrant sentiments

Over the past few weeks, McGregor has been vocal about the high-profile murder cases. Following the sentencing of the Slovak national who murdered Murphy, McGregor blamed the Irish government for the murder in a since deleted post on Twitter, stating “Shame on the Irish government for harboring this.” 

“The Irish government makes me ashamed to be Irish,” McGregor added. “We are appalled with you all! You can’t fix this, no problem it is a war then and God is with us!!”

The former two-division UFC champion has since continued to stoke anti-migrants sentiments on social media. He responded to a post discussing Ireland’s Head of State asking migrants to vote, calling it a “disgrace” and “shame.” (Asylum seekers and refugees have been permitted to vote in local elections in Ireland since 2004 but only Irish and British citizens who live in Ireland can vote in general elections in Ireland). 

“US allows non residents to vote? Visitors can vote? I can fly in now and register a vote in the United States elections? Surely not. However, Ireland’s current government is proposing this. A disgrace! A shame! Hang their heads in shame!” 

Apart from spreading misinformation about migrants being allowed to vote, McGregor also endorsed a “task force” to monitor migrants and seemed to suggest that Ireland should leave the European Union. 

The night before Thursday’s violence, McGregor posted: “Ireland, we are at war.” 

In the wake of the riots, he wrote: “We are not backing down, we are only warming up. We are not losing any more of our women and children to sick and twisted people who should not even be in Ireland in the first place.”

McGregor later tweeted that he did not “condone” the riots before calling for “change” in Ireland.

“I’m in the process of arranging. Believe me I am way more tactical and I have backing. There will be change in Ireland, mark my words. The change needed,” McGregor added in his tweet, which was a response to far-right figure Paul Golding calling for the UFC fighter to lead a “freedom march” in Dublin.

Irish government responds to Conor McGregor

The Irish government has not taken kindly to McGregor’s words. Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who serves as Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, called the comments “absolutely disgraceful.” 

“Isolated voices like that and voices that are essentially inciting hate and a degree to some extent incitement, are unacceptable,” he said. 

Irish police are now reportedly investigating McGregor’s social media posts as part of an inquiry into the dissemination of online hate speech.

Conor McGregor future politician?

For those who have followed McGregor’s behaviour over the years, his recents antics are no surprise. During the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow, McGregor posted a picture of himself alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he referred to as “one of the greatest leaders of our time.” He also called former U.S. President Donald Trump a “phenomenal president.” 

McGregor has since continued to voice his political opinions. He criticized his country’s handling of taxation and the coronavirus pandemic. He even hinted at his interest in pivoting to politics in 2018, saying “”Maybe, who knows?! I know they’re shakin’ in their boots anyway!” 

It is unclear whether McGregor would be taken seriously as a potential political candidate, in part due to his divisive track record. McGregor was previously arrested by the NYPD and charged for his role in the bus attack at the UFC 223 media day, faced assault charges for punching an elderly man in a Dublin pub, and faced several allegations of sexual assault and indecent exposure.

Nevertheless, McGregor’s anti-immigrant sentiments, coupled with his reverence for despotic political figures underscores the ongoing trend of MMA fighters flirting with far-right politics. 

There are numerous reasons behind MMA’s penchant for extremist, right-wing political action. The sport’s beginnings as a niche counter-culture activity, its growing popularity among conservative audiences, and the UFC’s embrace of Trump all contribute. There are also links between the sport and authoritarian regimes around the world. 

Several notable Brazilian fighters and jiu-jitsu competitors helped elect Brazil’s far-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro, in 2018. Legendary MMA heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko campaigned for long-time president Russian Vladimir Putin, and other Russian fighters have since openly supported their country’s invasion of Ukraine. Ramzan Kadyrov, the ruthless dictator at the helm of the Russian republic of Chechnya, founded his own MMA fight club and now has several fighters affiliated with him competing in the UFC. 

McGregor’s stance, emblematic of a broader trend, underscores the sport’s entanglement with right-wing sentiments.

As the champion wrote in the wake of Thursday’s riots: “You reap what you sow.” 

Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

Bloody Elbow merch available

Bloody Elbow is pleased to announce our partnership with Revgear. They have been a pioneer in the MMA gear industry and have grown into a formidable brand and true leader in the market. Revgear now have Bloody Elbow t-shirts, hoodies and hats so you can show your support for independent MMA journalism.

As Israel continued to bombard Gaza just three weeks after a devastating incursion by Hamas militants, some of the world’s most famous faces flocked to Saudi Arabia to attend a much-anticipated heavyweight boxing match. 

The star-studded event featured a showdown between WBO heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, serving as the centerpiece of the extravagant Riyadh Season winter festival’s grand opening this past weekend. It provided the hosts with an opportunity to display their opulence, featuring bespoke arenas, luxurious VIP enclosures, a glamorous opening ceremony, and a dramatic boxing ring emerging slowly from beneath the stage floor. 

The so-called “Battle of the Baddest” marked the halfway point in Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman’s 14-year plan to remake the kingdom’s economy by 2030—a plan characterized by projects like a $500 billion effort to build a futuristic city called Neom on the Red Sea, as well as unprecedented investments in golf, football, esports and gaming, and entertainment.

This event was among the cornerstones of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious sports strategy, aimed at positioning the kingdom as a premier tourism destination and a global sports hub, including the realm of combat sports. 

Even Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou can’t provide cover for Sauidi political problems

Nevertheless, as dazzling as the Saudi extravaganza was to behold, it could not conceal the realities confronting the kingdom and the broader region.

During the event, reports emerged that Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman—the brother of Crown Prince bin Salman, known as MBS— is expected to visit Washington on Monday for talks with senior Biden administration officials. The talks come amid U.S. and Saudi Arabia concerns that the fighting between Israel and Hamas could spill over into a regional war.

Meanwhile, Senator Richard Blumenthal—the Chair of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) currently probing the PGA Tour and LIV Golf agreement—was among the group of senators who met with MBS in the Saudi capital Riyadh several days ago. He later told The New York Times that Saudi officials warned an Israeli ground invasion into Gaza would be “extremely harmful” to the region. 

Blumenthal’s message came as tensions continued to rise throughout Gaza. The besieged enclave has faced constant bombardment from Israeli airstrikes for three weeks while essentials like water and fuel are scarce, furthering the humanitarian crisis. Two days ago—approximately 24 hours before Ngannou faced off with Fury in Saudi Arabia—Israel intensified its siege of Gaza by disrupting communications and plunging the enclave into a communications blackout. 

At least 7,950 people have been killed and more than 20,000 others injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7, according to the latest figures released by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah. 

U.S. President Joe Biden has repeatedly voiced his support for Israel’s right to self-defence following the Hamas attack, stating recently that the “United States has Israel’s back.” On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has been among Arab countries that have condemned the targeting of civilians in Gaza and denounced the siege, underscoring the differences between the two allied nations. 

A setback for Saudi/Israeli relations

Prior to the Oct. 7 attack, Saudi Arabia was discussing a potential deal whereby the kingdom would normalize relations with Israel in exchange for a myriad of benefits from the U.S., including support for a Saudi civilian nuclear program. Those talks are now on hold amid the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets around the globe last weekend to call for an immediate ceasefire after Israel expanded its bombardment and incursions into Gaza. The protests took place in major world cities, including Berlin, London, New York and Toronto. The global show of solidarity has led to a tonal shift from Western politicians, with European Union leaders now appealing for humanitarian “pauses” after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen first voiced unequivocal support for Israel. 

Saudi officials also denounced Israel’s siege and called for a ceasefire — even as they tried to keep the kingdom’s national narrative focused on MBS’s ambitions. 

The path forward

Last week, Saudi hosted its annual investment spectacle dubbed “Davos in the Desert,” which drew a gaggle of billionaires, tech titans and grifters, including former White House envoy Jared Kushner and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon. Days later, the kingdom assembled a cast of characters like Cristiano Ronaldo, The Undertaker, Kanye West and Eminem to watch boxing in the desert. 

On Nov. 4, the WWE will return to Riyadh to host Crown Jewel, the annually recurring event that takes place as part of the 10-year partnership between the entertainment brand and the Saudi government. Vince McMahon, the Executive Chairman of TKO, the parent company of both WWE and UFC, was present at the recent Ngannou vs. Fury event and announced that Riyadh’s new arena would become the new “home” for WWE.

“Everything that is the best in the world, it’s going to be here,” McMahon said “This is our home now.”

While Saudi Arabia strives to captivate the world with its lavish events and lofty national aspirations, it remains unable to mask the stark challenges faced by the kingdom and the wider region. These include the looming specter of a regional conflict, ongoing Middle East instability, and the elevation of regional rivals such as Qatar, who has emerged as a key player in the ongoing conflict. This juxtaposition between grandeur and adversity underscores the delicate balance the kingdom must maintain on the world stage.

In the midst of extravagant spectacles, the kingdom seems unable to escape the shadows of a region in turmoil, serving as a stark reminder that even the most opulent events cannot eclipse the realities of our time.

This article was originally published on October 30th, 2023, for Sports Politika, and has been republished on Bloody Elbow with the consent of the author. To see the article in its original format, click here.

Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own).

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During a scheduled press conference in London, England last month, Tyson Fury appeared at ease as he squared off against Francis Ngannou for the first time. 

“You’re one good-looking son of a b—h,” the WBC heavyweight champion told Ngannou, the chiseled former UFC heavyweight champ whom Fury is scheduled to face on Oct. 28 in Saudi Arabia. 

The blockbuster crossover clash is expected to kick off Riyadh Season, the kingdom’s heavily-publicized entertainment extravaganza that takes place each winter. The festival aims to attract tourists from around the world to the Saudi capital to witness unique concerts, sports, and cultural experiences.  

Speaking at the press conference held in London, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki al-Sheikh said: “We chose to launch Riyadh Season this year with a historic event between a boxing champion and a UFC world champion. A lot of preparation has gone into this match [to market the fight] that has never been done before and it will be different.”

The showdown will mark Ngannou’s first fight in nearly two years, after departing the UFC following a lengthy contractual dispute. 

Fury, meanwhile, has not fought since Dec. 2022, when he defeated Derek Chisora to retain his WBC heavyweight title. Ngannou had previously expressed interest in pivoting to boxing and an eventual agreement was reached with Queensberry, Top Rank and Ngannou’s promotional banner, GIMIK Fight Promotions, to partner with Riyadh Season to host the event.

Though a segment of fight fans have disparaged the contest as an imbalanced spectacle, casting Tyson Fury as the undeniable favorite, the bout has garnered substantial global interest, evident from its social media presence and prominent status in Google trends. 

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has fervently promoted the event, driven by the anticipation of reaping numerous economic and political advantages from its triumph—triumphs that include increased tourism, global prestige, and an opportunity to emerge as the epicenter for combat sports. 

How Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury became part of Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy

While the upcoming ‘Rumble in Riyadh’ is the latest example of a crossover super fight, it is also the latest example of Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented sports drive. Understanding how Fury and Ngannou became a key component of this strategy begins by understanding their respective journeys, as well as the kingdom’s insatiable desire to control the sporting ecosystem. 

On Jan. 22, 2022, Ngannou took part in what would be his final UFC fight when he defeated interim heavyweight champ Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision at UFC 270. 

Gane was ahead on the scorecards after the first two rounds but Ngannou switched strategies and outwrestled his opponent for the remainder of the fight. Having injured his knee ligaments weeks ahead of the bout, it was the first time that Ngannou had not won a contest by knockout or submission. 

Nearly one year later—following a lengthy contractual dispute—Ngannou was stripped of his heavyweight title by the UFC. The Cameroonian fighter’s contract had expired the previous month, and after the two parties couldn’t reach an agreement, the UFC waived its one-year matching rights clause, allowing Ngannou to secure unrestricted free agent status. 

Despite facing criticism for his decision to part ways with the organization, Ngannou signed a lucrative deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he would also serve as chairman and equity owner of the organization’s Africa division. 

Ngannou’s contract with the PFL allowed him the chance to explore various boxing prospects. This, coupled with the PFL’s decision to sell a minority stake in the company worth a reported $100 million to a Saudi subsidiary owned by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, helped pave the way for his association with Saudi Arabia. 

Venturing to Riyadh, the former UFC champion met with al-Sheikh , who chairs the General Authority for Entertainment and holds a influential position in Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman’s inner circle. An agreement was eventually reached to co-host the Fury vs. Ngannou showdown in collaboration with Riyadh Season.

According to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, the fight allegedly guarantees that both fighters will receive paydays in the eight-figure range. And while exact figures remain unclear, Ngannou’s representative, Marquel Martin, noted that it was “multiples” of what Ngannou made throughout his UFC career. 

“Let’s just say this: The bag is so big, he may actually just drop it on the way to the bank,” Martin said last month.

Ngannou came from humble beginnings in a small Cameroonian village. He began working in a rock quarry at age nine and continued to work various jobs for the next decade until he left in search of a better life. With the help of smugglers, he traveled through Niger and Algeria until he arrived in Morocco, where he began the treacherous journey of crossing the sea to Europe. He eventually made it to Spain a year after leaving Cameroon. He then migrated to France, where he was homeless until a mixed martial arts gym in Paris took a chance on him. 

Within a matter of years, Ngannou managed to become a UFC champion, set a new standard for the MMA free agent market, and become a must-see attraction for an emerging kingdom and its ambitious crown prince. 

In contrast, Tyson Fury’s association with Saudi Arabia significantly precedes that of Ngannou.

In October 2019, the heavyweight boxer took part in his first World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) match in Saudi Arabia. The 6ft 9in Fury wore a traditional Saudi thobe and ghotra as he walked out to the ring while fireworks and flames flanked him along the runway. 

Fury went on to defeat WWE wrestler Braun Stowman in a bout that reportedly earned him approximately $15 million. 

While Fury’s decision to take part in the Saudi event was criticized by some given the country’s human rights record, the heavyweight boxer has since continued to visit the kingdom for various purposes. Earlier this year, footage showed Fury and fellow heavyweight boxing great Mike Tyson wielding ceremonial swords and taking part in traditional Saudi folk dances. 

Fury is also among the list of notable athletes and celebrities who are actively marketing Saudi Arabia as the future for global sports. 

“It is a very special event for me, and it is a special time for sports where a powerhouse like Saudi Arabia is coming and in taking over the game, football, boxing, whatever you want,” Fury said during the press conference with Ngannou in London. “I think within five or ten years, they will be the powerhouse of all sports. 

“All the biggest sports events will be held in Saudi Arabia.”

The key figure in driving Saudi Arabia’s sports ambitions

Apart from the two formidable contenders set to participate in the forthcoming heavyweight battle, a third noteworthy individual to scrutinize is al-Sheikh, the key figure steering Saudi Arabia’s entertainment extravaganza.

In 2018, Said King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a number of royal decrees, including orders to reshuffle the council of ministers. One such appointment was of former president of Sports Authority, Turki al-Sheikh, a close confidant of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who was appointed as Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.

At the time al-Sheikh’s tenure at the helm of the sports authority had resulted in several well-publicized scandals, most notably in 2017 when he attempted to influenceEgypt’s most popular soccer club, Al Ahly. 

Less than five months after taking up the post of honorary president of the Egyptian club, al-Sheikh fell out with Al Ahly’s leadership after attempting to transfer several of the club’s players to the Saudi domestic league. He eventually parted ways with the club and was further embarrassed when the club’s fans gathered in Cairo Stadium and chanted derogatory insults aimed at the politician’s mother. 

Following his failed stint at Al Ahly, al-Sheikh decided to purchase his own club in Egypt, which he aptly named Pyramids FC. The club quickly rose to become one of the top football teams in Egypt’s domestic league due to the unprecedented injection of funds and resources that al-Sheikh provided the club. However, his club faced numerous accusations of corruption and bias, though none were ever proven. 

Al-Sheikh eventually sold the club in 2019 after realizing that his time in Egypt had not gone as planned. He returned to Saudi Arabia and focused the vast majority of his energy on managing the country’s entertainment sector, while the kingdom formed an official ministry of sports to handle its ambitious sports strategy. 

As the kingdom’s entertainment czar, al-Sheikh continued to organize events such as WWE’s ongoing partnership with the kingdom, which includes two annual premium live events. He also launched Riyadh Season, the entertainment festival that operates in tandem with the country’s tourism authority. 

Over the past four years, al-Sheikh has continued to grow Riyadh Season, hosting concerts, a winter wonderland theme park, and car shows. He also established Boulevard City, an entire zone for internationally themed food and shopping. 

Most recently, al-Sheikh also announced the establishment of the Legend Museum, the first and largest museum for soccer legends that is expected to feature another exclusive institute designed around Cristiano Ronaldo. The institute is expected to house Ronaldo’s trophies and personal memorabilia. 

However, al-Sheikh’s crowning achievement has arguably been his ability to secure some of the biggest heavyweight boxing spectacles in recent memory, further cementing the kingdom as a global hub for combat sports to rival Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi.

Apart from securing Fury vs. Ngannou as the opening act for latest edition of Riyadh Season, al-Sheikh was also instrumental in negotiating the undisputed heavyweight championship bout between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian boxer who holds the three other heavyweight belts belonging to the IBF, WBA and WBO sanctioning bodies. The blockbuster bout is expected to take place in December or January, also as part of Riyadh Season. 

Elsewhere, al-Sheikh also helped bring about Saudi Arabia’s first-ever UFC event, which will take place in March 2024 in conjunction with Riyadh Season. 

After a few missteps during his tenure as chairman of Saudi’s sports authority, al-Sheikh has since found his momentum as the kingdom’s entertainment czar, utilizing Saudi’s vast resources to establish one of the world’s largest festivals. He has also utilized that entertainment platform to amalgamate some of the most anticipated fights in recent memory, further advancing Saudi Arabia’s sports ambitions. 

Trainer? Deal with Mike Tyson part of Saudi’s marketing plan

In the shadow of London’s iconic Tower Bridge lies a newly erected  installation: two giant statues depicting Fury and Ngannou in a vast ring, separated by an enormous golden crown emblazoned with the slogan for their upcoming fight—Battle of the Baddest. 

The installation is currently on display in Potters Field Park—a gaudy symbol of how the kingdom has spared no expense in marketing the heavyweight showdown. 

Earlier this month, al-Sheikh dropped a trailer for the super fight that has since gone viral on social media and captured the imagination of fight fans around the world. 

Accompanied by a reimagined rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘Bang Bang,’ the trailer immerses viewers in the relentless training regimens of Ngannou and Fury, portraying their sessions as cataclysmic events that disrupt their adversaries’ lives with seismic upheavals and tremors. 

The marketing did not stop there. Al-Sheikh and Riyadh Season commissioned American DJ and music producer Skrillex and rapper Lil Baby to create the official music video for the fight. 

Al-Sheikh has additionally recruited Mike Tyson to serve as Ngannou’s trainer and cornerman for the impending match, a tactical choice considering the former UFC champion’s inexperience in the realm of professional boxing. Tyson also assumed a promotional role for the fight, actively endorsing Ngannou’s abilities in an effort to engage doubting fans and bolster interest in the seemingly unusual contest.

“It is no secret I back Ngannou 100 percent in this face-off of champions,” Tyson told Saudi media. “He has one hard punch, and when it lands, it’s game over.”

Tyson is also set to inaugurate the world’s first Mike Tyson Boxing Gym as part of Riyadh Season. 

Boxing reporter Kevin Iole also made a note about Mike Tyson’s deal after this post was originally published, adding how Saudi Arabia is also inviting several Hall of Famers to the event.

While much of this may appear excessive, it falls in line with Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented spending across sports. The kingdom has made strategic investments in sports ranging from soccer—where Saudi Arabia purchased a controlling share in English Premier League team Newcastle United and transformed its domestic league by luring superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar—to golf, Formula One and MMA. 

Critics have long claimed that Saudi Arabia’s investments in sports is part of the kingdom’s attempt to launder its reputation and distract from human rights abuses, a process known as sportswashing. While this assessment may carry merit, the Gulf state’s sports approach also seeks to position itself as a prominent player in the global sports arena, foster economic growth, and market Saudi culture on the international stage. This intention is evidently reflected in how the kingdom positioned the Fury vs. Ngannou clash as a pivotal component of Riyadh Season. 

“It is not just a fight; we are going to be opening up Riyadh Season,” Ngannou said during last month’s press conference in London. “So, it is a cultural event, and we are just making this fight bigger and bigger.”

The significance of the Fury vs. Ngannou clash within Riyadh Season underscores the broader vision to position the kingdom as a key player in the international sports landscape. 

Beyond the punches thrown in the ring, it becomes clear that the fight’s implications stretch far beyond the confines of the arena.

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This is a repost from Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika Substack newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

Islam Makachev’s post-UFC 294 statement censored by UFC

After defending the UFC lightweight championship with a thunderous KO in the main event of UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, Islam Makhachev opted not to celebrate the victory in solidarity with Palestine. 

“I am not celebrating [the] win today because [of] the crazy things that are happening around the world. Palestine, we stand with you,” he said in a post-fight interview while carrying the Palestinian flag. 

While the spectators at UFC 294 had the opportunity to witness Makhachev’s act of solidarity, it remained concealed from others as the UFC chose to censor the clip on YouTube.

All statements of support for Palestinian people were censored at UFC 294

Makhachev was not the only fighter who had his pro-Palestine statements censored at UFC 294. The UFC edited out a statement of solidarity from British-Dagestani fighter Muhammed Mokaev, who called for peace in the region. 

Makhachev and Mokaev’s show of support comes amidst the ongoing war in Gaza, where more than 4,300 people have been killed and 11,000 wounded in Israeli air raids. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, according to health authorities. 

Israel’s bombardment of Gaza began on Oct. 7 in response to a surprise attack by Hamas, the Islamic militant group that killed roughly 1,400 people in Israel. Hamas has also taken more than 200 hostages.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas served as a litmus test for the UFC—an organization that has long claimed to be a champion of free speech. Over the years, UFC President Dana White has proclaimed that the organization would never compromise fighters’ freedom of expression.

“When you look at the UFC, we’re truly a global business. People from all over the world face things that other people would never understand,” White said in 2020 amidst global unrest over the Covid-19 pandemic and protests following the murder of George Floyd. “To have the ability to tell people, ‘You can’t express yourself,’ whether it’s anger, happiness, fear – it’s crazy. We would never do that. We’d never try to do that.”

Pro-Israeli statements by Michel Pereira not censored

In contrast, the UFC did not censor Brazilian fighter Michel Pereira, who came out for his fight draped in an Israeli flag and voiced his support for the state following the Hamas attack. Nevertheless, when fighters expressed solidarity with Palestine a week later at UFC 294, their support was scraped from the UFC’s various platforms.

UFC continues to avoid U.S. sanctions against Kadyrov linked fighters

Beyond the UFC’s censorship of pro-Palestine sentiments at UFC 294, the organization appears to be dodging U.S. sanctions by hosting fights featuring athletes affiliated with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov in Abu Dhabi instead of on U.S. soil.

Saturday’s UFC 294 event featured five fighters with ties to Kadyrov, whose list of crimes include well-documented purges of sexual minorities, extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, forced conscription, and appalling acts of violence to quell all forms of dissent. Three of those fighters—Khamzat Chimaev, Magomed Ankalaev, and Said Nurmagomedov—are official members of the dictator’s Akhmat MMA fight club and were featured on the UFC 294 main card.

In December 2020, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions targeting Kadyrov and his Akhmat MMA fight club.

According to the OFAC, the measures against Kadyrov and Akhmat MMA are broadly designed to prohibit “any contribution or provision of funds, goods or services by, to or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods or services from any such person.”

The sanctions marked the first time that a country had targeted Kadyrov’s sports investments, paving the way for governments to scrutinize his affiliations with American athletes and organizations such as the UFC.

When I wrote about this for The New York Times last year, the UFC argued in an official statement that its fighters were independent contractors and that it entered into contracts with them directly, without intermediaries. The organization also said it had no affiliation with Akhmat MMA and that it was in compliance with all laws and regulations.

Akhmat MMA fighters not fighting in the U.S.?

Nevertheless, it appears that several of the UFC fighters affiliated with Kadyrov have since struggled to enter the United States. UFC light-heavyweight Maxim Grishin, who is officially affiliated with Kadyrov’s Akhmat MMA fight club, revealed in an interview last year that he was struggling to secure a visa into the U.S..

“I was told that it is better not to associate myself with the Akhmat Fight Club, which I am a representative of,” Grishin told Match TV in an interview that was also picked up by Russia Today, the country’s state-controlled English-language news outlet. “But this is not just a contract, we have brotherly relations. I considered it cowardly. Sport is separate from politics, why should I hide something? I don’t do anything bad to the universe, why should the universe do bad things to me?”

Chimaev, who is likely to challenge for the middleweight title next after his UFC 294 win, has also reportedly faced difficulties entering the U.S.. In a recent interview, Chimaev’s coach revealed that his fighter had moved to the UAE because he believed it would alleviate his travel issues, especially if he were to secure an Emirati passport to supplement his Russian citizenship.

Several sources with knowledge of the situation revealed to Sports Politika that Chimaev is currently unable to secure a visa to enter the U.S.. However, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department refused to confirm whether that was the case, noting that visa records are confidential under U.S. law.

“All options remain on the table when it comes to imposing costs on Russia in response to its atrocities and full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” the spokesperson said. “However, we do not preview sanctions actions.”

Nevertheless, Chimaev and his fellow Kadyrov loyalists were able to compete on the UFC’s annual show in Abu Dhabi, as the Chechen dictator is not facing any sanctions in the Emirates. In fact, Kadyrov previously attended a UFC show in Abu Dhabi in 2019 alongside the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.

Chimaev, who defeated former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the UFC 294 co-main event, added to the controversy when he included two of Kadyrov’s sons, Ali and Adam, as his cornermen for the fight. While neither of the sons are under U.S. sanctions—both are currently underage—Adam was recently involved in a scandal where he assaulted a detained Russian prisoner for insulting Islam.

And though Chimaev offered a message of peace in the English portion of his UFC 294 post-fight interview, he followed up by addressing Kadyrov in Chechen and requesting permission to go fight in Palestine.

“Chief, may Allah be pleased with you, it is not difficult to perform here and fight for you here. If you give me permission, I swear by Allah, I will be the first to go there [to Palestine]. For God’s sake, give me weapons so I can go to Palestine. I swear, I wasn’t raised to fight in shorts. I swore allegiance to our chief and I swear, if he gives me the right, I am the guy who will go and die there. I don’t worry about my own death as much as I worry about [the death of] my Muslim brothers.”

Kadyrov subsequently shared video footage of himself picking up Chimaev in a private jet from the UAE and returning to Chechnya, where he received a hero’s welcome. He also posted a photo of his sons posing with White following UFC 294.

These occurrences marks the most recent instance of Kadyrov harnessing the achievements of his favored UFC fighters for political advantage.

Given the UAE’s cordial relationship with Kadyrov, it comes as little surprise that the UFC would attempt to dodge U.S. sanctions and visa concerns by hosting all Kadyrov-affiliated fighters in Abu Dhabi.

Nonetheless, the UFC’s tactical rearrangement of its fighters addresses the organization’s short-term visa concerns, but it does not absolve the organization from its responsibilities regarding U.S. Treasury sanctions. These sanctions apply universally to all U.S. citizens and individuals engaged in U.S. business activities.

In short: even though the UFC is refraining from affiliating with Kadyrov and his fighters on U.S. territory, its status as an American enterprise operating within the U.S. necessitates strict compliance with these sanctions.

The UFC’s delicate dance around U.S. sanctions and its censorship of pro-Palestine sentiments transformed an otherwise forgettable event into a stage for geopolitical intrigue. It also exposed the organization’s ethical quandaries and its seemingly contradictory stance, where free speech is muzzled while sanctions are sidestepped in the relentless pursuit of profit.

This UFC 294 feature is a repost from Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika Substack newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

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Francis Ngannou—an African migrant turned champion fighter—has partnered with a kingdom accused of mass murdering African migrants.

This is cross-posted from Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika Substack Newsletter. Please consider subscribing today.

Saudis happy to host Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury, migrants not so much

I saw people killed in a way I have never imagined. I saw 30 killed people on the spot. I pushed myself under a rock and slept there. I could feel people sleeping around me. I realized what I thought were people sleeping around me were actually dead bodies. I woke up and I was alone.

These are the words of Hamdiya, a 14-year-old Ethiopian girl who was among the asylum seekers who recently attempted to cross the border from Yemen to Saudi Arabia. Her group of 60 were repeatedly fired upon by Saudi border guards. Half the group perished. 

The harrowing incident is one of several mass killings uncovered by Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a report released last week. The human rights organization alleged that Saudi border guards have “killed at least hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers who tried to cross the Yemen-Saudi border between March 2022 and June 2023.” The report also found that the border guards were using explosive weapons to kill migrants, including women and children. 

Human Rights Watch interviewed 42 people, including 38 Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers who tried to cross the Yemen-Saudi border. Many described gruesome scenes of bodies “torn in half” and guards forcing survivors to rape other survivors. 

The organization concluded that Saudi border guards could be responsible for the deaths of “possibly thousands” of Ethiopian migrants. 

“It is really impossible to count the number,” one interviewee told Human Rights Watch. “It is beyond the imagination. People are going in different groups day to day. The dead bodies are there.”

The recent revelation of the systemic abuse and extermination of Ethiopian migrants take place in the midst of the kingdom’s unprecedented investments in the world of sports and entertainment—investments aimed to soften the country’s image and expand its global influence. 

Among the kingdom’s upcoming sports events is a heavyweight boxing exhibition between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The fight is set to take place on 28 October in Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh. While the bout may not necessarily be the flashiest of the kingdom’s recent sports investments, it is of particular significance given that one of the competitors, Ngannou, is himself an African migrant. It is precisely this lived experience that makes his newfound association with Saudi Arabia difficult to swallow, especially in light of the Human Rights Watch report. 

Francis Ngannou has experienced migrant abuse first-hand

Born in Cameroon, Ngannou came from humble beginnings in a small village with a poor family. He began working in a rock quarry at age nine and continued to work various jobs for the next decade until he left in search of a better life. With the help of smugglers, he traveled through Niger and Algeria until he arrived in Morocco, where he began the treacherous journey of crossing the sea to Europe. He eventually made it to Spain a year after leaving Cameroon. He then made it to France, where he was homeless until a mixed martial arts gym in Paris took a chance on him.

Ngannou has been public about his difficult journey and has spoken in support of African migrants in the past. Last year, the former UFC heavyweight champion shared a disturbing set of videos on Instagram of African refugees who were injured or killed recently while trying to seek out a better life in Europe. The incident took place in Ceuta, Spain when 2000 migrants attempted to jump the fence, which resulted in clashes with the authorities. At least 23 migrants were killed. 

The post was accompanied by an emotional caption in which Ngannou appealed to his fans to understand the plight of refugees like him and to do better.

“People of the world, fans, friends, please understand why this is so hard for me to witness. I shared a piece of my story with @joerogan, and with what just happened recently to my people, I can’t stop thinking that just 9 years ago I could’ve been one of these people who tragically lost everything in an attempt to seek a better life for themselves and their families. I am familiar with this exact location,” Ngannou said.

A recent investigation by the rights group suggested that the deaths occurred as Moroccan and Spanish authorities lobbed smoke bombs and teargas at the migrants in an attempt to deter them from crossing the border, leading many to die of asphyxiation while others were trampled in the ensuing panic.

“You have to understand, had I not attempted this very thing myself, you wouldn’t know me,” Ngannou continued. “I wouldn’t have been able to become a World Champion. I just happened to be a lucky one. That’s all it was.”

Francis Ngannou’s post-UFC career and deal with the Saudis

Ngannou was stripped of his heavyweight belt after a contract dispute with UFC and exited as a free agent in January. Despite facing criticism for his decision to part ways with the organization, Ngannou signed a lucrative deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he would also serve as chairman and equity owner of the organization’s Africa division. 

Ngannou’s PFL deal also allowed him to seek out opportunities in boxing. This is how his partnership with Saudi Arabia came to be. The former UFC champ flew to Riyadh, where he met with Turki al-Sheikh, the chairman of the General Authority for Entertainment and a close confidant of Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman. An agreement was eventually reached to host the Fury vs. Ngannou clash in partnership with Riyadh Season, a winter entertainment festival aimed to boost tourism to the kingdom’s capital. 

Ngannou’s contract with the PFL allowed him the chance to explore various boxing prospects, which paved the way for his association with Saudi Arabia. Venturing to Riyadh, the former UFC champion met with Turki al-Sheikh, who chairs the General Authority for Entertainment and holds a influential position in Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman’s inner circle. An agreement was eventually reached to co-host the Fury vs. Ngannou showdown in collaboration with Riyadh Season—a seasonal entertainment fest designed to enhance tourism in the kingdom’s capital city.

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Saudi Arabia uses sports to launder its reputation

According to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, the fight guarantees that both fighters will receive paydays in the eight-figure range. And while exact figures remain unclear, Ngannou’s representative, Marquel Martin, noted that it was “multiples” of what Ngannou made throughout his UFC career. 

“Let’s just say this: The bag is so big, he may actually just drop it on the way to the bank,” Martin said last month.

Martin did not responded to my request for comment regarding Human Right Watch’s harrowing report. 

As previously reported on Sports Politika, there are various examples of Saudi Arabia utilizing non-disparagement clauses to limit athletes from saying anything critical about the kingdom. Such clauses exist in the PGA Tour’s framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), as well as Lionel Messi’s tourism partnership with the kingdom. It is possible that Ngannou’s contract with the General Entertainment Authority includes similar restrictions. 

Although Ngannou’s recent achievements within MMA are unparalleled and could potentially shape the landscape of free agency in the sport for years to come, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that the former UFC champion has transitioned from a previous employer known for its troubling labor practices to align with a kingdom that is currently under extensive scrutiny for its human rights record.

As reports continue to emerge regarding Saudi Arabia’s systemic abuse of African migrants, Ngannou’s most recent Instagram post, which features a video of his younger self toiling in the sand mines, takes on a deeper, more somber meaning. 

The caption reads: “And now when I look back at how far I’ve come from those sand mines, I know I’m not lucky to have what I have. I’ve worked for it.” 

This is cross-posted from Karim Zidan’s Sports Politika Substack Newsletter. Please consider subscribing today.

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Donald Trump’s indictment brings together novel cast of characters

Donald Trump and 18 allies were indicted in Georgia on Monday over their efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.

The 98-page indictment, which includes accusations of pressuring election workers and attempting to steal data from a voting machine company, uses the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act—a law commonly referred to as RICO and which is normally associated with gangsters—to accuse the defendants of engaging in a “criminal racketeering enterprise.” 

The case also involves an unusual cast of characters, including a bail bondsman, Kanye West’s former publicist and a former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter.   

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MMA veteran and ex-Kanye publicist part of the conspiracy

Harrison William Prescott Floyd and Trevian C. Kutti are among the lesser-known defendants accused of attempting to intimidate Fulton County elections worker Ruby Freeman to falsely admit to committing election fraud. Floyd is a former mixed martial arts fighter while Kutti is a former publicist for West and R. Kelly. 

Freeman, who testified before the House select committee investigating January 6, 2021, earlier this year, was among the election workers Trump and his campaign had targeted by baselessly claiming she was counting fake mail-in ballots in Fulton County.

According to the indictment, Floyd was solicited by fellow defendant Stephen Cliffgard Lee, a former police officer-turned-Lutheran chaplain, to speak with Freeman. Floyd then enlisted Kutti to travel to Atlanta to meet with Freeman. The publicist traveled to Freeman’s Georgia home and spoke with the election worker at a local police precinct as officers supervised in January 2021, according to public records from the Cobb County Police Department.

“Ms. Kutti stated that Ms. Freeman was in danger and had 48 hours to speak with her so that she could get ahead of the issue,” according to the Cobb County police report from January 2021. Kutti said the danger Freeman faced was related to the election, the police report stated.

According to body camera footage obtained by CNN through a public records request, Kutti told Freeman that she “cannot say what specifically will take place” if she refused to cooperate but “that it will disrupt your freedom.”

Testifying at a hearing of the House Jan. 6 committee in June 2022, Freeman described the difficult situation she was placed in after Rudy Giuliani publicly accused her of election fraud. Freeman was even forced to go into hiding.

“There is nowhere I feel safe,” Ms. Freeman testified.

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‘Monster’ Floyd went out of MMA on a loss

Floyd and Kutti have both been charged with three felony counts, including conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings, as well as influencing witnesses. 

Floyd, who competed in MMA as Willie “Monster” Floyd, holds a 3-4 professional record and has not fought since a 2015 submission loss in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Floyd was director of Black Voices for Trump

The former fighter also served as the director of Black Voices for Trump, a group that received Trump’s seal of approval and includes the likes of Martin Luther King Jr’s niece, a pastor who compared abortion to slavery, and a misogynistic motivational speaker on its advisory board. 

Floyd isn’t the first MMA fighter to pledge his allegiance to Trump, who is now facing a total of 91 criminal counts following his most recent indictment. Plenty of MMA fighters have campaigned for Trump over the years, while the sport’s leading organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, continues to maintain a close relationship with the former president. 

During his most recent appearance at UFC 290 in July, Trump was greeted with raucous applause from the crowd and even hi-fived some supporters as he entered the arena flanked by secret service agents. From his vantage point cageside, Trump engaged in an unexpected tête-à-tête with a cornerman coaching a fighter, who said: “Mr. Trump, are you winning again? Are you winning again? Yes! Please! We need it!”

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Wagner’s march on Moscow

On Friday, Yevgeny Prigozhin—the Russian oligarch and founder of the Wagner private mercenary group—launched what appeared to be the most serious challenge to Vladimir Putin’s rule when he called for an uprising against Russia’s military leaders. 

Less than 12 hours later, Wagner forces had seized control of key military facilities in the southwestern city of Rostov-on-Don and continued to advance on Moscow in what Putin described as an “armed mutiny” against Russia. 

The Kremlin responded by deploying forces at key sites in Moscow and Rostov while Russia’s domestic intelligence service, Federal Security Service (FSB), launched a criminal case against Prigozhin accusing him of “calling for an armed rebellion.” Meanwhile, Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov announced that his private forces were prepared to put down the attempted insurrection and were en route to Moscow. 

Yet as Wagner forces were approaching Moscow, Prigozhin suddenly announced on Telegram that his forces were standing down and heading back to their camps in occupied Ukraine, bringing an apparent end to an absurd 24 hours. 

Nevertheless, a surprising common thread has emerged in the wake of the attempted coup, linking the notorious Wagner and Kadyrov’s Akhmat battalion: their heavy recruitment from the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). 

Wagner’s MMA recruitment

Wanger first came to prominence in the aftermath of the annexation of Crimea. Mercenaries associated with Wagner fought alongside pro-Russian separatist forces in occupied eastern Ukraine. Since then, its contracted soldiers have reportedly been involved in various Russian military operations around the world, including the civil wars in Syria, Libya and the Central African Republic. Most recently, the group has been involved in Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine. 

The Wagner group was originally made up of experienced former soldiers from Russia’s elite regiments. However, the unit began recruiting troops drawn from prisons to feed Russia’s war machine in Ukraine.

The Wagner group also focused on recruiting combat sports athletes from various martial arts gyms and sports clubs in Russia. Over the past few months, I have uncovered more than 60 participating gyms across Russia, including eight participating gyms in Moscow, most of which cater to adults and children alike. Six of the gyms are located in St. Petersburg, while dozens more are located in Anapa, Astrakhan, Barnaul, Ekaterinburg, Omsk, Orenburg, Volgograd, and Voronezh. 

Among the most notable facilities being utilized is the Russian Boxing Federation headquarters in Tyumen. The federation, which acts as the governing body for both amateur and professional boxing in Russia, pledged its support for the invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, stating at the time: “”The entire boxing community of Russia expresses its full confidence and support to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin!”

Several other recruitment centres are located within federally-owned Olympic reserve schools, including those in Barnaul and Irkutsk. 

On occasion, Wagner has been able to recruit MMA fighters from penal colonies. Hayk Gasparyan, a Armenian MMA fighter, was several months into his seven-year sentence for armed robbery when he was recruited to join the the mercenary group. He participated in the war in Ukraine and has since been pardoned following his six-month term of service. 

Gasparyan was later awarded the Order of Courage by Putin during a ceremony Rostov-on-Don, a city in southern Russia. 

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Sports Politika is the home of Karim Zidan’s original content that focuses on the intersections between sports and politics. At Sports Politika you can find Zidan covering topics you may be familiar with from the world of MMA and boxing. However, Sports Politika also goes beyond the ring and the cage, covering stories of sportswashing across all of world sport.

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An underground subway station in the war-torn region of Kharkiv, Ukraine played host to a unique boxing event held in the memory of fallen soldiers. 

The event, which took place last weekend, featured an array of amateur boxers, including members of the Ukrainian Olympic team, and was dedicated to the “heroes of Kharkiv”—a city in the eastern region of the country that has been under constant bombardment by Russian forces since the start of the war. 

A Return to Sports

The decision to hold the event in a subway station was due to the city’s continued role in the frontlines of the war. However, despite the security concerns—Kharkiv lies approximately 19 miles south of the Russian border—the event attracted hundreds of civilian fans (and military personnel) looking to enjoy a night of amateur fights. 

The boxing show also happened to be the first sports event that Kharkiv has hosted since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.

“The Boxing Federation wants to show this event that sport exists in Kharkiv,” said Oleksandr Manchak, an official at the Ukrainian Boxing Federation. “We are starting to return to life in our city, adjusting to the conditions that are present, but in doing so, we are only moving forward.”

“This tournament was very important for the development, restoration of infrastructure, all spheres of activity and most importantly – life in Kharkiv. It is very important that people play sports, distract from military action,” Manchak continued.

Boxing Controversy

The “Heroes of Kharkiv” show last weekend was the first time that the Ukrainian Olympic boxing team had performed since its decision to boycott the World Boxing Championships earlier this year. The boycott stemmed from a decision taken by the International Boxing Association (IBA)—which hosts the world championships—to lift a ban on Russian athletes competing with their flag and national anthem despite the ongoing war. The United States and several other Western countries also joined the boycott and have since helped establish a breakaway boxing association to rival the IBA.

“Our answer is clear: our athletes and representatives do not perform where the representatives of the aggressor countries will perform – these are Russia and Belarus,” said Oleg Ilchenko, vice president of the country’s boxing federation.

“The position is basic: as long as the war is going on and as long as the troops of the Russian Federation are on the territory of our state, they all appeal that they will not speak.”

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However, what began as a secretive gathering and networking opportunity of European extremists was quickly exposed after one of the fighters failed to maintain the veil of secrecy. 

“European Fight Night”

European Fight Night was initially scheduled to take place at a secret location in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. The secrecy was essential, as similar far-right events had been banned elsewhere in Europe and many of the participants belonged to violent neo-Nazi groups. This included the three primary organizers: the locally-based Legio Hungaria, Germany’s Kampf der Nibelungen (also known as KdN), and Pride France. 

Founded in 2013, Pride France is part far-right lifestyle brand, part neo-Nazi fight club. According to its mission statement from 2014, Pride France “is a brand for nationalists that focuses on an underground range, sport wear, and pagan. Whether to go out, to train in the gym, or practice your boxing training ‘Pride France’ will be there to help you.”

The brand maintains an online store that sells streetwear, as well as fight gear such as rash guards, gloves, and shorts, all of which are emblazoned with neo-Nazi symbolism. Some of Pride France’s most popular clothing items included its HTLR women’s t-shirt, and others that include slogans like “White Division” and “Defend Your Tradition.” The brand even has a “Halloween” shirt depicting a smiling KKK caricature with a noose and a flaming torch, as well as a selection of children’s clothing with similar white supremacist slogans.

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The Indian wrestlers protest has lasted for nearly three consecutive weeks, with pressure mounting over the government’s inaction. The protesting wrestlers have filed an official police complaint against Singh, demanded that an independent committee investigate the allegations, and even threatened to boycott all future events until their requests were met.

“Women wrestlers have been sexually harassed at national camps by coaches and also the WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan,” Phogat—the only Indian woman wrestler to win multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships—said during a protest. “Some of the coaches appointed at national camps have been sexually harassing women wrestlers for years. The WFI president is also involved in sexual harassment.”

Singh has denied wrestler accusations

Singh, who is also a parliamentarian from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been accused of harassment by seven wrestlers, including a minor, but has denied all the allegations.

“I have not misbehaved with anybody or harassed anyone, nor have I done any injustice to anyone,” Singh said in an interview. “I have treated them like children of my own family. I gave them love and respect. Unfortunately, that is now becoming a problem for me.”

While Singh claims to treat wrestlers like his own family, footage from 2021 shows him slapping a male wrestler on stage after being confronted during a wrestling tournament. 

The 66-year-old is currently serving his third consecutive term as WFI president, having been elected unopposed in 2019. And while the next round of elections was scheduled to take place on May 7, India’s Sports Ministry last week that the elections should be considered “null and void” due to the accusations levied against Singh during the Indian wrestlers protest.

Then on Monday, May 8, Jantar Mantar witnessed dramatic scenes as a group of farmers broke down police barricades to join the wrestlers’ protest. 

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The Brazilian had signed an affiliation agreement with Kadyrov’s personal MMA fight club, Akhmat MMA. His deal consisted of frequent visits to Chechnya as an ambassador for the promotion and required him to conduct a portion of his future training camps there.

“Fabricio was happy to accept what ultimately was a very lucrative offer, but this deal is not just a financial arrangement,” Werdum’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told MMA Junkie at the time. “He was in Chechnya earlier this year, and he was treated like a king. It was an amazing experience for Fabricio, and the opportunity to partner with Akhmat Fight Club was something he didn’t want to pass up.

“Honestly, I think opportunities like this are something all managers should be looking for in the sport. With the changing landscape of sponsorship opportunities, you have to think outside of the box.”

Once the deal was struck, the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion was paraded around in the streets of the Chechen capital, Grozny, alongside a man accused of horrific human rights abuses that would only grow more sinister over the coming years.

Reporting on Kadyrov

I also happened to be in Russia at the time. I remember sitting at a cafe in Sochi, the resort town along the Black Sea, when the article appeared on my Twitter feed. I was already familiar with Kadyrov through my own experiences with his henchmen in Russia but had yet to write about the tyrant with a penchant for the fight game. I decided to strike while the iron was hot. 

My article was published a little more than two weeks later on the now-defunct Sports on Earth with the title “UFC Champ’s Complicated Russian Ties.” 

Though I have since done far more important reporting on Kadyrov, this article is significant because it was the one of the rare occasions where the UFC was willing to comment on the record. 

“It is important to note that UFC fighters operate as independent business partners, not employees, and that subject to their contractual commitments to UFC they are free to conduct business and to participate in activities as they choose,” Dave Sholler, who was the UFC’s vice president for public relations, told me in 2015. “We do expect, however, all fighters to be mindful that their actions reflect well on themselves, the sport and the UFC organization.”

This particular article also happened to be the first time that Ali Abdelaziz attempted to threaten me for reporting on one of the fighters he represented. I spoke to Bloody Elbow founder Nate Wilcox about this early experience with Ali during a recent interview, available here.

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Hasbulla—the social media sensation who amassed a huge following due to his unique appearance and charisma—has been detained in Dagestan, along with some of his friends, for violating traffic laws. The news was first reported by Dagestan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, which posted footage of Hasbulla and his entourage interfering with traffic. 

In the video posted on May 7, Hasbulla and his friends could be seen obstructing traffic and executing drifts with their vehicles on the highway. traffic and using their cars to drift across the highway. The footage also included a clip of the culprits after they had been taken into custody and charged with administrative violations.

“Unbridled wedding fun in Dagestan is known to many and extends far beyond the borders of the republic,” read the statement on the Telegram channel operated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Dagestan.”In the absence of other types of entertainment, such a primitive option is still extremely popular – blocking roads, burning rubber, smashing cars against each other and many other features that, in fact, have nothing to do with the celebration and holiday of the young.

“All participants of “wedding emotions”, as they themselves call it, were taken to the police, and in relation to them, employees of the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan drew up administrative protocols for all violations.”

Hasbulla’s rising stardom

Hasbulla rose to fame in 2020 with his pranks on social media. Born with a growth hormone deficiency that impacted his size and voice, the 20-year-old took advantage of his child-like appearance to create a persona that endeared him to millions of fans around the world.

Hasbulla has been featured in numerous media outlets around the world. He has also collaborated with other social media stars and celebrities, including former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. He also signed a five-year deal with the UFC to help promote upcoming fights and events.

However, Hasbulla’s recent arrest is not the first time the social media star has faced controversy. Last year, he was temporarily suspended by Instagram after alleged death threat towards woman. He also faced significant backlash following a recent video where he could be seen abusing his pet cat.

It was September 25, 2022. Salamov, dressed in a pair of black boxing shorts emblazoned with an emblem associated with Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov, was set to face a journeyman boxer from Namibia named Vikapita Meroro. The fight lasted less than 90 seconds, with Salamov dominating Meroro before landing a powerful liver shot that sent him crumbling to the canvas. The referee called off the fight and Salamov returned to celebrate with his cornermen.

During the celebration, one of the men handed him a phone. It was Kadyrov calling to congratulate him on FaceTime. The boxer thanked his benefactor and rounded off by chanting “Akhmat Sila,” a reference to the infamous battlecry used by Kadyrov loyalists that translates to Akhmat Power. Kadyrov smiled. 

Salamov was on top of the world. He had earned the feared warlord’s favor and was back to his winning ways following a loss to WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. Little did he know that his brief encounter with Meroro would be his last.

‘Kadyrov, do you know where to find him?’

Last month, Chechen dissident Tumso Abdurakhmanov revealed that Salamov had gone missing and hinted that Kadyrov was likely involved in his potential abduction. 

“Kadyrov, do you know where to find him? I’m sure you know,” Abdurakhmanov wrote on Telegram. “And you, and I, and many others, we all know where to look for it. But I’m at a loss as to what he did wrong to you? Won’t you tell? 

“I’m sure it’s an interesting story.”

Salamov has not been seen in public in several months and has not posted on his verified social media accounts since September 2022. The 28-year-old boxer’s last recorded interview took place in December 2022, when he told a local boxing website that he was interested in fighting Sergey Kovalev in the coming year. 

Abdurakhmanov’s claim about Salamov’s disappearance matches an earlier report from Chechen opposition movement 1ADAT, which revealed that Chechen officials had abducted 27 men, including Salamov, from the fighter’s native village of Alkhan-Kala on January 13, 2023 as part of a “cleansing operation.” The boxer was reportedly taken to detention facilities under the control of Chechnya’s Ministry of Internal Affairs—facilities that are rife with torture and other forms of abuse.   

Salamov’s abduction comes as a surprise given his status as one of Chechnya’s most successful boxers. He got his start as a professional fighter in 2012, when he signed a deal to fight for the boxing promotion owned by Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. Over the next few years, he continued to fight in Ukraine and compiled an impressive 14-0 undefeated record that got him noticed by Kadyrov. The dictator had just launched his MMA gym franchise in 2015 and was looking to expand into boxing. Salamov signed with the warlord’s Akhmat Boxing Club in 2016 and remained with the club for the remainder of his short-lived career. 

The dictator funded Salamov’s career as part of his contract with the gym. Apart from training in Chechnya, he funded Salamov’s move to Las Vegas, where he trained at Kevin Barry’s gym alongside the likes of former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker. The investment paid off, as Salamov signed with Bob Arum’s Top Rank promotion and won the vacant IBO light-heavyweight title in May 2016. And though Salamov would lose the title a year later, Kadyrov remained among his most vocal supporters. 

“Congratulations, dear BROTHER! We believed in you! And you justified the hopes of the fans,” the dictator wrote on VKontakte following Salamov’s victory against Emmanuel Anim in December 2018. “The evening ended with the triumph of Umar in the main fight! Umar Salamov once again proved that he is one one of the most experienced and invincible in his weight category in the world of professional boxing.” 

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Flanked by his brother, Abu Bakr Azaitar, as well as their father, the controversial Moroccan talent stepped into the cage opposite his American foe, Matt Frevola, while the Moroccan national anthem rang through the arena. 

The match-up was originally scheduled to take place at UFC 257 in September 2021 but was canceled when Azaitar was caught sneaking an unknown person and items into the Covid-19 isolation bubble that the UFC had established in the UAE’s Yas Island. 

Yet after years of anticipation, the fight was over in less than three minutes. As Azaitar came charging in, Frevola countered with a three-punch combination that sent Azaitar tumbling to the canvas. It was Azaitar’s first professional loss—a defeat that one prominent Moroccan newspaper labeled a “humiliation.”

While Azaitar’s defeat came as a blow to his legion of Moroccan fans looking to support their fellow countryman, the loss had little effect on his status as one of the king’s closest confidants. 

Ottman and his brother Abu have spent the last five years cultivating a friendship with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI—a unlikely alliance that has elevated the UFC fighters to elite status, expanded their influence within the palace walls, and emboldened them to build a controversial fast food empire.  

While the blossoming friendship between the UFC fighters and the Moroccan king may seem absurd, a recent expose published by The Economist suggests that a crisis is brewing in Morocco and the Azaitars may very well be part of the problem. 

UFC Fighters in the King’s Palace

Born in Frechen, Germany to parents who immigrated from Morocco, the Azaitar brothers attended the King Fahd Academy, a controversial Islamic school funded by Saudi Arabia and suspected of “attracting Islamists to Germany.” In 2003, the school was investigated for alleged ties to the terrorist network al Qaeda and other fundamentalist groups. That same year, Abu and Omar Azaitar—then known as the “brutal twins” in local media—appeared in juvenile court to face charges of inflicting bodily harm and gang theft.

Abu, who was 17 at the time, was accused of dousing a businessman in gasoline before stealing his Ferrari. He was sentenced in June 2004 to two years and three months in prison. He was released in 2006 but his issues with the law did not end there. 

Shortly following his release, Azaitar was accused of violently assaulting his girlfriend at a Christmas market and punching her repeatedly until her ear drum burst. 

By 2007, Abu Azaitar had pivoted towards mixed martial arts and began training to make his debut on the local German scene. Meanwhile, he made friends with local rappers and celebrities, and was reportedly associated with criminal clans. However, it was his unlikely friendship with King Mohammed VI that solidified the UFC fighter’s celebrity status.

The friendship began in 2018, shortly after the king quietly divorced Princess Laila Salma. According to Moroccan media reports, King Mohammed VI was keen to meet with Abu and Ottman because of their achievements in MMA (Abu was the first Moroccan national to sign with the UFC while Ottman had just claimed the Brave FC lightweight title and extended his unbeaten record to 10-0). The brothers became frequent visitors of the king, who took them on vacations and later allowed them to renovate one of the unused palaces in Tangiers into a sports club.

As the Azaitar brothers’ friendship with the king intensified, they began to take on more official roles within the Moroccan government. 

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A young French boxer was shot dead outside a shisha bar in a Parisian suburb. 

According to Le Parisien, Wilfried Florentin was injured after a brawl broke out on Sunday morning in front of L’Insolit e, a shisha bar in the Paris suburb of Bonneuil-sur-Marne.

“I’m stunned,” said Yohan Zaoui who was in contact with him, according to L’Équipe. “I am very sorry. Such a waste. He was the father of two children. The best French hope. A real drama. 

“He was working as a bouncer at this shisha bar. He got shot. Two bullets in the chest.”  

The 23-year-old French boxer was tended to by firefighters outside the establishment before being driven to hospital. He died from his injuries shortly thereafter, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The circumstances behind the incident have yet to be determined. An investigation for attempted voluntary homicide was entrusted to the departmental service of the judicial police.

A suspect is in custody for Wilfried Florentin’s murder

Meanwhile, the suspect was detained Monday at Brussels airport, on his way to Côte d’Ivoire, according to the Créteil prosecutor’s office. He was reportedly handed over to the French authorities by Belgian police. 

The 35-year-old suspect was already subject to a Europe-wide arrest warrant. 

Florentin was crowned European junior champion in the -91kg class in 2019. The French boxer subsequently won his first three professional fights by knockout, according to the reference site “boxrec”.

The boxer was expected to compete at the Paris Olympics

Florentin was expected to compete at the Paris 2024 Games. In September 2019, he won a gold medal at the European Youth Championships but failed to secure his spot at the Tokyo Games. He subsequently turned pro and won his first three bout by knockout. 

Florentin died shortly after celebrating his 23rd birthday. 

“A young 23-year-old boxing champion, the age of all possibilities, but also of the reality of a violent society,” the mayor of Bonneuil Denis Oztorun wrote on Twitter. “Our first thoughts and condolences go to his family and loved ones.

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“Things are being pushed to such an extreme that the cure is likely going to be just as extreme,” Shields added in a follow-up tweet. 

Shields’ post targeting people who support gender-affirming care for Trans individuals went viral and attracted a deluge of blue-checked Twitter accounts who eagerly lent their support to the call for mass killing of therapists, doctors, and teachers. 

“Absolutely. Hanging or firing squad,” read one of the blue-checked responses; “I volunteer to be the executioner,” read another. 

Twitter eventually removed the post for violating “the Twitter Rules.” However, the social media company also removed all the evidence of blue-checked accounts advocating for mass murder. 

Twitter even removed tweets that contained screenshots of the responses. Such screenshots now contain an empty square along with a message stating that an “error occurred loading this image.” 

It is evidently clear that Twitter is censoring posts that highlight the violent and bigoted rhetoric taking place on the site, especially among its precious Twitter Blue users. And while this isn’t the first time that Twitter’s current leadership has applied arbitrary censorship and targeted removals, Shield’s hate-fuelled posts mark the latest in Twitter’s long list of embarrassing cover-ups.

Ever since Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion (more than double what it is actually worth), the South African billionaire has presented himself as a champion of free speech. He oversaw policy changes that included the removal of legacy verified accounts as part of its overhaul of the Twitter Blue subscription model and antagonized journalists and news outlets over petty feuds. He even coordinated with journalists like Matt Taibbi to publish the “Twitter Files” that suggest the company was overly compliant with government requests to censor or remove content on Twitter. 

However, Musk’s changes have been unsuccessful at best and have helped shed light on how fabricated his “free speech” persona actually is. He banned several journalists from his platform, restored the accounts of far-right figures previously banned for violating Twitters ToS, and shared numerous conspiracy theories on his personal account. His new subscription model has become the laughing stock of the internet and has scared away most of his top advertisers while riddling the site with a cesspool of bigots, trolls, and cryptocurrency accounts willing to pay $8 for a blue check next to their name. 

The removal of legacy verified accounts, which were usually reserved for journalists, celebrities, and notable figures, has made it easier for bad actors to impersonate high-profile figures while making it difficult to verify the authenticity of information on the platform. Content from Twitter Blue users is also being promoted on the platform, which means that bots and bigots are becoming more visible on the site. 

Meanwhile, new reports suggests that Musk’s Twitter is even more compliant with government censorship and surveillance than the previous ownership. Since Musk took over, the company has received 971 government demands and fully complied with 808 of them, further shattering Musk’s crafted narrative that Twitter is a bastion of free speech. 

Despite having six months worth of embarrassing moments at Twitter, the social media company’s decision to censor Twitter Blue rallying behind an MMA fighter’s call for mass murder is among the worst moments in Musk’s tenure. It also emphasizes how the supposed free speech advocate is more than willing to authorize targeted removals and censorship when the content is embarrassing to him. 

In the meantime, while several of the commenters have been suspended, Shields continues to have access to his account. He recently challenged the “10 toughest trans men to a fight” and claimed that “Pedophilia is the next in line to be added to the LGBTQ agenda.” He also has a history of racist and bigoted comments on the social media platform.

Bloody Elbow reached out to Twitter for comment and received an auto-reply from its press email with a poop emoji. 

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A group of seven Indian wrestlers have filed a police complaint against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and longstanding politician Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual abuse. 

“Yes, absolutely (the complaint has been filed) – at Connaught Place Police Station,” Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia told ANi news agency in New Dehli. “We have taken this step as there has been no action taken since we lodged our protest with the sports ministry.”

In January 2023, several Indian wrestlers hosted a sit-in to protest the sexual exploitation taking place in Indian wrestling. Vinesh Phogat, a medalist at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, and Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were among the participants. 

Indian wrestlers demand independent investigation

The wrestlers demanded an independent committee investigate the allegations and threatened to boycott all future events until their requests were met. 

“Women wrestlers have been sexually harassed at national camps by coaches and also the WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan,” Phogat said during a protest. “Some of the coaches appointed at national camps have been sexually harassing women wrestlers for years. The WFI president is also involved in sexual harassment.”

Within a matter of weeks, a committee was established to probe the allegations of sexual abuse and was given a one-month deadline to complete the investigation. The committee has since completed its report, though the findings have not been made public. This has drawn ire from the wrestlers, who are planning to resume their sit-in and boycott. 

Singh has denied allegations

Singh, who is also an MP from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—the ruling party in India under Modi—has denied the sexual abuse accusations levied against him. The 66-year-old is currently serving his third consecutive term as WFI president, having been elected unopposed in 2019. And while the next round of elections was scheduled to take place on May 7, India’s Sports Ministry announced Monday that the elections should be considered “null and void” due to the acusations levied against Singh.  

“It is requested that a transitory or Ad-Hoc committee of the IOA to be formed to hold WFI elections within 45 days of the formation of the committee,” read the letter the Sports Ministry sent to the Indian Olympic Association. 

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The footage appeared to show former MMA fighter Maxim Ryndovskiy being abused by a group of unknown assailants. One of the videos showed the victim seated on a chair with a pool of blood at his feet, while a second one showed him with his hands tied behind his back. In both, the victim has a shirt duct-taped to his head, making it difficult to confirm his identity.

According to the Telegram channel that broke the story, Ryndovskiy was being tortured by Ukrainian “patriots” for associating with Akhmat MMA, the infamous fight club belonging to Ramzan Kadyrov, the dictator at the helm of the North Caucasus enclave of Chechnya. 

Ryndovskiy has not been seen in public since the harrowing video was published. Several unconfirmed reports suggest he was murdered by the assailants. 

Bloody Elbow has repeatedly attempted to contact Ryndovskiy, but has not received a response. 

Though Rynodovskiy’s torture was among the first examples of the role that combat sports has played in the ongoing war, it proved to be far from the last. 

Combat Sports and the Russian Invasion

In the 14 months since Russia launched its invasion, numerous athletes were forced to put their professional careers on hold to take part in the conflict. 

Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian Olympic medalist and heavyweight champion, joined the Kyiv Territorial Defense while fellow world champion and Olympic gold medalist Vasiliy Lomachenko gave up a title shot to take up arms for Ukraine. Bellator MMA champion Yaroslav Amosov also withdrew from a scheduled title defence to join a territorial battalion. All three have since returned to their professional careers. 

Vitali Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxing champion once known as Dr. Ironfist, has served as mayor of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv since 2014 and is now one of the country’s most recognizable symbols of resistance to Russian rule. 

However, while a handful of Ukraine’s most prominent fighters were allowed to leave the war, countless other athletes weren’t afforded the same privilege. Many paid with their lives, as more than 250 Ukrainian athletes have perished since the war began. Several were combat sports athletes. 

In March 2022, a kickboxing champion and member of the controversial Azov regiment, an ultra-nationalist unit of the National Guard of Ukraine that includes neo-Nazis, was killed while fighting in Mariupol. Three months later, Ukrainian boxer Oleg Prudky died on the frontlines of the war. 

A Polish MMA fighter named Tomasz Walentek who volunteered for the International Defense Legion of Ukraine was killed in August 2022 following Russian artillery shelling in the Donbas region. Maksym Galinichev, a Ukrainian boxer who was a medalist at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games, and  Ukrainian kickboxing champion Vitaly Merinov were both killed in action in March 2023. 

Meanwhile, several Russian MMA fighters are also participating in the ongoing invasion. AMC Fight Nights middleweight champion Vladimir Mineev is currently stationed in Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine that is under Russian occupation. 

The 33-year-old former paratrooper volunteered for the war on the condition that he be allowed to take part in one last kickboxing bout prior to serving. He trained for the bout in the occupied city of Mariupol in Ukraine and went on to defeat Brazil’s Fernando Rodriguez by TKO on Nov. 18, 2022. He joined the war shortly thereafter. 

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MSNBC host Chris Hayes shared a photo of the DeSantis ad, which consisted of a caricature of the 2024 presidential hopeful wearing a pair of red boxing gloves and standing over an unconscious man wearing a mouse nose. 

“When the world lost its mind…When common sense suddenly became an uncommon virtue…RON DESANTIS FOUGHT BACK AGAINST THE WOKE ELITES AND WON,” read the ad. 

The caricature is believed to be a nod to the famous photo of Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston during their infamous rematch in 1965. It is one of the most famous sports photos from the 20th century and was captured by photographers Neil Leifer and John Rooney. 

While the image appears to depict the violent conclusion of the fight, it is actually capturing Ali taunting Liston after dropping him with an awkward punch that has since become known as the “phantom punch.” “Get up and fight, sucker!” Ali yelled. 

Liston did get up and briefly resumed the fight. However, the referee stopped the fight after claiming that Liston had actually missed the count, raising concerns that the bout could have been fixed. 

The opponent in DeSantis’ ad is not meant to be Liston but a reference to Mickey Mouse and the governor’s ongoing feud with Disney World, Florida’s biggest private employer, over LGBTQ+ rights. 

DeSantis and the UFC

This is not the first time that DeSantis has attempted to rub shoulder or attempt to associate himself with combat sports. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Florida governor hosted two UFC events (UFC 249 and UFC 261) in an attempt to boast about his government’s handling of the pandemic. 

DeSantis, who is viewed as a contender for the Republican nomination in 2024, has been criticized for using his state’s limited Covid restrictions to increase his political clout. Hosting a capacity-crowd UFC show during a particularly difficult period during the pandemic was a clear show of defiance.

“Welcome to Florida. You guys aren’t the only ones looking to come to this oasis of freedom,” DeSantis said during the UFC 261 press conference. 

DeSantis also hosted Jorge Masvidal at a campaign event last year even though UFC fighter was facing felony battery charges after attacking a fellow fighter at a restaurant. 

The Florida governor has also recently come under fire for signing an extreme six-week abortion ban, which appears to have cost him significant backing ahead of the 2024 presidential elections. He also passed a series of bills restricting gender non-conforming expression, including a bathroom bill that bans businesses from using gender-inclusive bathrooms, a bill that allows the state to take action against businesses that host LGBTQ+ friendly shows or drag performances. 

DeSantis also passed a bill allowing trans children to be removed from their parents’ custody. 

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