The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan has formally banned blended martial arts (MMA), citing its incompatibility with Islamic regulation.

The Taliban Bans MMA in Afghanistan

An official from the Taliban’s sports activities authority defined to an area broadcaster that MMA is taken into account too violent and poses a threat of demise. This choice was made following an investigation by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Advantage and the Prevention of Vice, which discovered that MMA contradicts the teachings of Islam. The Taliban’s Basic Directorate on Bodily Training and Sport issued a press release to the AFP information company, stating that the game is problematic beneath Sharia regulation, resulting in the ban.

MMA has been a widespread sport amongst Afghan youth, gaining a major following over the 20 years earlier than the Taliban regained energy in 2021. The Combined Martial Arts Federation was established in 2008, and organizations just like the Afghanistan Combating Championship and Really Grand Combating Championship organized quite a few occasions.

Regardless of not being explicitly named in official decrees, MMA has confronted rising restrictions for the reason that Taliban’s takeover. In 2021, the Taliban enacted laws that successfully banned competitions by prohibiting “face-punching.” Some fighters have reported threats and harassment from Taliban officers.

For the reason that Taliban took over in 2021, many MMA fighters from the nation have already left attributable to security issues. These fighters face quite a few challenges as refugees, together with adapting to new cultures, discovering coaching services, and securing monetary assist. Regardless of these difficulties, they continue to be dedicated to pursuing their ardour for MMA.

In 2017, ESPN visited an MMA health club within the nation and reported:

“Fighters hope the game can succeed regionally and convey about change to a area the place something constructive could make a serious impression.”

MMA Fighters from Afghanistan

Afghanistan has boasted many fighters within the sport of MMA.

Siyar Bahadurzada – A retired MMA fighter who competed within the welterweight division of the UFC.

Nasrat Haqparast – An lively MMA fighter who has competed within the UFC.

Baz Mohammad Mubariz – Founding father of the MMA Federation in Afghanistan and organizer of the Afghanistan Combating Championship. He’s at present dwelling in Thailand attributable to security issues after the Taliban takeover.

Sayed Waris Hashime – A former club-level fighter in Kabul who received a number of newbie belts. He has since relocated to Europe because of the Taliban’s restrictions on MMA

MMA Organizations in Afghanistan

Combined Martial Arts Federation of Afghanistan: Based in 2008. Afghanistan Combating Championship (AFC): Established in 2018. Really Grand Combating Championship (TGFC), and Snow Leopard Combating Championship: Based in 2015, it was the nation’s first MMA event.