Karim Zidan
Karim Zidan

Karim Zidan is a investigative reporter and feature writer focusing on the intersection of sports and politics. He has written for BloodyElbow since 2014 and has served as an associate editor since 2016. He also writes for The New York Times and The Guardian. Karim has been invited to speak about his work at numerous universities, including Princeton, and was a panelist at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival and the Oslo Freedom Forum. He also participated in the United Nations counter-terrorism conference in 2021. His reporting on Ramzan Kadyrov’s involvement in MMA, much of which was done for Bloody Elbow, has led to numerous award nominations, and was the basis of an award-winning HBO Real Sports documentary.

Underground boxing in Ukraine as war rages on
Ukraine boxing event goes underground amid war 
15 months after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, boxing returned to the war-torn nation with a unique event held in an underground subway station.
Neo-Nazis have forgotten the first rule of fight club
Neo-Nazis have forgotten the first rule of fight club
Karim Zidan delves into the "European Fight Night" neo-Nazi event that took place last weekend in Hungary.
Wrestlers protest against sex abuse in India
Wrestlers protest against sex abuse in India
Indian wrestlers protest the rampant sexual abuse in local sports by staging a sit-in. A national crisis is looming as a result.
That time Ali Abdelaziz tried to kill my first big Kadyrov story
That time Ali Abdelaziz tried to kill my first big Kadyrov story
Karim Zidan looks back on some of the threats he faced from Ali Abdelaziz, MMA’s infamous manager.
Hasbulla arrested in Dagestan following ‘wedding celebration’
Hasbulla arrested following 'wedding celebration'
Hasbulla was detained by police in Dagestan, along with some of his friends, for violating traffic laws.
Kadyrov suspected in boxing champion’s disappearance
Kadyrov suspected in boxing champion’s disappearance
Former IBO light-heavyweight champion Umar Salamov disappeared shortly after his most recent boxing bout in September 2022. Kadyrov is likely responsible.
The case of the UFC fighter and the Moroccan king
The UFC fighters and Morocco's missing king
Two UFC fighters and brothers are embroiled in palace intrigue involving Morocco's King. Now a crisis is brewing.
French boxer shot dead outside shisha bar 
French boxer shot dead outside shisha bar 
French boxer Wilfried Florentin, 23, was killed Sunday morning following a dispute in a shisha bar in Paris.
MMA fighter’s call for public executions of Trans allies exposes Elon Musk’s Twitter Blue dilemma
MMA fighter’s call for public executions of Trans allies exposes Elon Musk’s Twitter Blue dilemma
Former MMA fighter Jake Shields asked his followers whether they would support public executions for Trans allies. Many blue-checked Twitter accounts did. Elon Musk was not happy.
Wrestlers in India seek justice against federation president for alleged sexual abuse
Wrestlers in India seek justice for alleged sexual abuse
Several Indian wrestlers have filed a police complaint against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, accusing him of sexual abuse.
Caught in the Crosshair: Combat sports in the Russia-Ukraine war
Combat sports in the Russia-Ukraine war
Combat sports has emerged as a tool for recruiting soldiers, platforming wartime propaganda, and as a target of international sanction.
DeSantis super PAC copies Muhammad Ali photo for ‘War on Woke’ ad
DeSantis copies Muhammad Ali photo for ‘War on Woke’ ad
A campaign caricature of Ron DeSantis shows the Florida Governor standing over his opponent like Muhammad Ali following Sonny Liston knockout.
American boxer looks to Putin for Russian citizenship
American boxer looks to Putin for Russian citizenship
An American boxer known as ‘Hillbilly Hammer’ revealed that he would be interested in meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure Russian citizenship.
Gender-bending Olympic boxer Harry Garside defends wearing dresses amid backlash 
Olympic boxer Harry Garside defends wearing dresses amid backlash 
Australian Olympic boxer Harry Garside admits he has been the victim of homophobia since he began embracing his feminine side.
Jeff Monson returns to Russia’s political arena 
Jeff Monson returns to Russia’s political arena 
Jeff Monson, the US-born MMA fighter, has registered as a candidate in the regional parliamentary elections in Bashkortostan, a federal subject of Russia.
Russian MMA fighter runs for office while serving in Ukraine war
Russian MMA fighter who volunteered for Ukraine war now running for office in occupied region 
Russian MMA fighter Vladimir Mineev is expected to participate in the election process for the People’s Council of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) while still serving in Ukraine war.
IBA rivals launch breakaway boxing association
IBA rivals launch breakaway boxing association
World Boxing, the breakaway boxing association that includes the U.S., the UK and several European allies, is aiming to salvage the sport’s Olympic future and rival the IBA.
US athletes declining fights in Russia for fear of arrest, MMA fighter claims 
US athletes declining fights in Russia for fear of arrest, MMA fighter claims 
Former Bellator MMA fighter Alexander Shlemenko has not been able to find an American opponent since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
How Andrew Tate used MMA and Islam to revamp his image
How Andrew Tate used MMA and Islam to revamp his image
Divisive social media influencer Andrew Tate is utilizing both MMA and Islam to revamp his image.
Donald Trump attends UFC 287 in Miami days after indictment  
Donald Trump attends UFC 287 in Miami days after indictment  
Former U.S. President Donald Trump was spotted cageside at UF 287 in Miami, Florida just days after his recent indictment on 34 felony charges.
Masvidal visits Trump at Mar-a-Lago hours after arraignment 
Masvidal visits Trump at Mar-a-Lago hours after arraignment 
UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago shortly following the former president’s historic arraignment.
As Trump faces felony charges, his WWE and UFC friends are making billions
As Trump faces federal charges, his WWE and UFC friends are making billions
The UFC and WWE merger coupled with Trump's indictment paint a poignant picture of the divergent paths that Trump and his longtime friends are currently embarking on. 
A neo-Nazi MMA fighter was arrested in Romania. What happens to his fight club empire?
A neo-Nazi MMA fighter was arrested in Romania. What happens to his fight club empire?
Robert Rundo, the founder of RAM & other neo-Nazi MMA fight clubs, is likely facing several years in prison if convicted on the federal rioting charges.
Ukrainian kickboxing champion killed in war with Russia
Ukrainian kickboxing champion killed in war with Russia
A Ukrainian kickboxing champion was killed while fighting on the frontlines against Russia's forces.
Russia turns to MMA gyms for Ukraine war-bound mercenaries
Russia turns to MMA gyms for Ukraine war-bound mercenaries
Wagner, the Russian paramilitary organization, is setting up recruitment centers for the Ukraine war in dozens of martial arts gyms and children's sports clubs across Russia.
Whatever happened to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC?
Whatever happened to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC?
Despite ambitious plans to contend with major MMA organizations in the United States, Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC appears to have joined the long list of defunct MMA promotions.
Youth Olympic boxing medalist killed fighting for Ukraine
Youth Olympic boxing medalist killed fighting for Ukraine
The boxer-turned-soldier was reportedly serving in the occupied eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk region when he died.
Khabib’s manager comforts alleged rapist and human trafficker Andrew Tate: ‘Stay strong, my brother’
Khabib’s manager comforts alleged rapist and human trafficker Andrew Tate: ‘Stay strong, my brother’
The controversial MMA manager comforted Tate after the kickboxer complained about prison conditions during Ramadan.
Vladimir Putin and Steven Seagal’s strategic bromance is stronger than ever
Vladimir Putin and Steven Seagal’s strategic bromance is stronger than ever
Fluctuating between political asset and personal stooge, Steven Seagal continues to prove his worth to his Russian overlord.
Steven Seagal launches Aikido centre to train Russians for military service
Steven Seagal launches Aikido centre to train Russians for military service
Seagal has been the head instructor of the Russian Aikido Federation since 2018.