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.
Henry Kissinger, the war criminal who preached peace through sports
Beyond his warmongering influence in Washington, Henry Kissinger also knew how to leverage sports as part of his diplomatic arsenal.
Dublin riots expose Conor McGregor’s role in stoking anti-migrant hate
The UFC’s biggest star, Conor McGregor is among the agitators stirring chaos and hate in Ireland. Now he is reportedly being investigated by Irish police.
Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou: Saudi Arabia's juggling act
While Saudi Arabia strives to captivate the world with its lavish events like Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou and lofty national aspirations, it remains unable to mask the stark challenges faced by the kingdom and the wider region
Saudi Arabia paying 'coach' Mike Tyson big money for Ngannou-Fury event
Karim Zidan breaks down the genesis of Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury, and Saudi Arabia's extravagant plans which includes Mike Tyson being paid big money.
UFC 294: Avoiding US sanctions on Chimaev, and censoring speech on Palestine
The UFC, so-called champion of free speech, found a way at UFC 294 to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Ramzan Kadyrov while simultaneously censoring pro-Palestine expressions within its platform.
Is Francis Ngannou turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia's abuse of migrants?
Francis Ngannou—an African migrant turned champion fighter—has partnered with a kingdom accused of mass murdering African migrants.
MMA fighter indicted in Donald Trump RICO case
Former MMA fighter Willie "Monster" Floyd got indicted as part of the Donald Trump GA RICO case.
How Russia's mercenary groups found their warriors in MMA gyms
MMA fighters were among the Wagner Group mercenaries who found themselves embroiled in an attempted uprising in Russia.
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
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
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
Karim Zidan looks back on some of the threats he faced from Ali Abdelaziz, MMA’s infamous manager.
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
Former IBO light-heavyweight champion Umar Salamov disappeared shortly after his most recent boxing bout in September 2022. Kadyrov is likely responsible.
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 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
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 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.
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 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
An American boxer known as ‘Hillbilly Hammer’ revealed that he would be interested in meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure Russian citizenship.
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, 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 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
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
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
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
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
UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago shortly following the former president’s historic arraignment.
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.