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.
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
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
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?
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
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’
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
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
Seagal has been the head instructor of the Russian Aikido Federation since 2018.
Kamaru Usman and other UFC fighters visited warlord Kadyrov. Now they’re headlining UFC 286
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and former interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje will be prominently featured at UFC 286 despite potentially violating sanctions.
UFC’s Russian broadcast partner censors MMA fighter for supporting Ukraine
On Saturday, Mar. 11, Merab Dvalishvili defeated former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan in a lopsided beatdown at UFC Vegas 71. Yet despite breaking the UFC record in takedown attempts and securing a career-best in significant strikes landed in a single fight, the Georgian fighter opted to use his post-fight speech in the Octagon to […]
Boxing faces uncertain Olympic future due to US-Russia politicking
Olympic boxing is facing an existential crisis.
MMA fighter Jeff Monson plans to renounce US citizenship: ‘I love Russia’
Jeff Monson—the former UFC title challenger who became a Russian politician and wartime propagandist—claims to be in the process of renouncing his U.S. citizenship. “I am in the process of renouncing American citizenship,” Monson told Russian state media outlet Tassru. “In the spring I will only have a Russian passport. I do not agree with […]
The UFC can help stop Ramzan Kadyrov’s MMA influence, if it cared to
Despite the recent scandal and mounting government pressure, Ramzan Kadyrov’s influence continues to loom large over the UFC.
‘No truth to this’ – Nate Diaz rep denies Chimaev’s claim that Kadyrov offered him $2 million
Nate Diaz’s representative Zach Rosenfield had denied a recent claim by Khamzat Chimaev that Ramzan Kadyrov, the dictator at the helm of Russia’s Chechnya region, offered Diaz an extra $2 million to accept their UFC 279 bout at a catchweight. “There is no truth to this,” Rosenfield told BloodyElbow, adding that the two fighters only […]
Oleksandr Usyk calls on IOC not to allow Russians to compete at Paris Olympics
Ukrainian world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk believes that any medals that Russian athletes win at the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris would be “medals of blood, death, tears.” Usyk’s statement came in response to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) attempts to facilitate the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the upcoming Games. […]
Russian MMA fighter sporting neo-Nazi tattoos awarded medal for role in ‘denazification’ of Ukraine
A Russian MMA fighter sporting neo-Nazi tattoos has been awarded a medal for his role in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Mikhail Turkanov was awarded the Order of Courage by the North Slavic Community, a self-proclaimed “military-patriotic society of modern Cossacks.” The group announced the news on its official social media page, along with a […]
UFC fighters train with Ramzan Kadyrov’s son and entourage in Thailand
A handful of UFC fighters are currently training alongside Ramzan Kadyrov’s 16-year-old son and entourage in Thailand, further emphasizing the dictator’s growing influence on the sport. In January 2022, Khamzat Chimaev arrived at the renowned Tiger Muay Thai training facility in Phuket, Thailand with a horde of fighters from Kadyrov’s infamous fight club, Akhmat MMA—an […]
Iranian karate champion given 15 minutes to plead case before receiving death penalty
Mohammad Mehdi Karami, a national karate champion who was executed in Iran on Jan. 7, was given a mere 15 minutes to defend himself in court before being sentenced to death. The 22-year-old was one of four men executed for their alleged involvement in nationwide protests in Iran four months ago related to the death […]
Beterbiev thanks dictator Kadyrov after Yarde TKO, says he is ‘proud to have such a brother’
On Saturday night, Artur Beterbiev extended his undefeated record when he stopped Anthony Yarde in the eighth round of a thrilling light-heavyweight title fight at the OVO Arena in Wembley, England. The Chechen-born boxer showed incredible resolve and determination to retain his WBO, WBC and IBF light-heavyweight world titles against an underdog who pushed him […]
MMA champ joins Russia’s war; now stationed in occupied Ukraine
A mixed martial arts champion has joined Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. AMC Fight Nights middleweight titleholder Vladimir Mineev is reportedly stationed in Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine that is currently occupied by Russian forces. The news was announced by AMC Fight Nights president Kamil Ghadjiev, who noted that Mineev was taking part in a […]
Indian wrestling champion accuses federation president with ties to Modi of sexual exploitation
Protests continue to intensify in India after one of the country’s most decorated athletes accused the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and ruling party MP of sexually exploiting women wrestlers. Vinesh Phogat, a medalist at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, revealed that at least 10 woman wrestlers confessed to her that […]
World boxing champ Usyk compares Putin’s Russia to ‘Third Reich’
As the invasion of Ukraine approaches its first anniversary next month, Oleksandr Usyk took aim at Russia, referring to the country as an incarnation of the “Third Reich.” Speaking in a video posted on his Instagram, the 35-year-old world heavyweight champion added that Russian president Vladimir Putin is furthering “Hitler’s work.” “The Russian Federation is […]
MMA fighter-turned-mercenary awarded medal from Putin for service in Ukraine
An Armenian MMA fighter who was later recruited as as a mercenary for the infamous Wagner Group has been awarded a medal by Russian president Vladimir Putin for serving in Ukraine. Hayk Gasparyan, 31, was awarded the Order of Courage by Putin himself during a ceremony in Rostov-on-Don, a city in southern Russia, earlier this […]
MMA fighter who appealed to Kadyrov to help locate missing aunt found dead on train
A Russian MMA fighter who appealed to Ramzan Kadyrov last year to help find his missing aunt in Chechnya has been found dead on a train. Georgiy Gagloev, 25, was reportedly found dead on board a train traveling from Moscow to Vladikavkaz. His body was discovered during a stop in Rostov-on-Don. A source who spoke […]
Khabib has no plans to pursue political career
Khabib Nurmagomedov has no plans to enter the political arena following his decision to leave his budding mixed martial arts coaching career behind. According to Russian state-run media outlet Tass.ru, the former UFC champion is likely to focus on other his other businesses outside of the sport. “Khabib does not plan to pursue a political […]
Report: Saudi Arabia in talks to buy WWE, expand sportswashing empire
In the wake of Vince McMahon rejoining the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) board of directors to begin a potential sale process for his company, Saudi Arabia has reportedly emerged as a potential frontrunner to purchase the world’s largest wrestling promotion. According to various reports, the controversial kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has shown interest in […]
D.L. Hughley and Jamie Foxx criticize media’s response to Dana White assaulting wife
Actors Jamie Foxx and D.L. Hughley are among the prominent figures concerned by some the media coverage of UFC president Dana White assaulting his wife. Last week, footage published by TMZ showed White slapping his wife, Anne, while the couple were at a New Year’s Eve party in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The next day, […]
Khabib Nurmagomedov retires from MMA coaching to ‘spend more time with his family’
After a successful year of coaching that saw him create several new champions, Khabib Nurmagomedov appears to have announced his retirement from mixed martial arts coaching. The former UFC lightweight champion shared an Instagram post that suggested he was leaving the sport. “The year certainly turned out to be a very busy and successful,” Nurmagomedov’s […]
Iran executes karate champion amid nationwide protests
Two men, including a karate athlete, have been executed for their alleged role in anti-regime protests in November. Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini were hanged early Saturday morning, according to the state-affiliated Fars News. The pair were were convicted of killing a Basij paramilitary force member during nationwide protests that started after the […]
Former UFC fighter charged after multiple assaults on girlfriend cause seizures
A former UFC fighter has been charged after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend on two separate occasions, one of which caused her to have a seizure. Cain Carrizosa—real name Cain Castillo—was charged in Washington County’s Fifth District Court with second degree felony aggravated assault and domestic violence, as well as robbery. According to ABC4.com, the first […]