Thread by @InsiderNews

MMA fighters in Afghanistan were already getting death threats before the Taliban took back power in the country. We followed two star fighters as they continued training in midsummer even as the Taliban approached Kabul.

Since the US first announced it would withdraw from Afghanistan, targeted killings of journalists, activists, and religious minorities have been on the rise. And now, there’s fear that athletes could be next.
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During the Taliban's rule, between 1996 and 2001, the armed group allowed some sports, but with heavy regulations on attire and with breaks for prayer. businessinsider.com/resurgent-tali…

But two star fighters, Wahid "The Stone Eater" Nazhand and Zaki "The Outlaw Scrapper" Rasuli, say they are fighting for peace in Afghanistan as much as anything. businessinsider.com/resurgent-tali…

The fight that ignited the popularity of MMA in Afghanistan came in December 2020, when Nazhand beat Rasuli. Though they fight for a living, they face violent threats against themselves and their gyms regularly.

Both fighters worry that things could get worse for them and MMA as the Taliban takes over. While both make money from sponsoring local products, they only receive $200 to $300 for each event, whereas UFC fighters can make at least $10,000 per fight.

Taliban rule could further complicate Afghan athletes’ ability to secure visas to train and fight abroad, while prejudice and misconceptions already affect their visits to other countries.

Nazhand makes most of his money from his gym, which sits on the edge of Kabul. He closed the gym the day the Taliban took the capital.

There's also the matter of television, which was forbidden during the Taliban rule. It remains to be seen if MMA fights would be broadcast, or if there would be TV stations left to air them.

While both fighters worry about the future, they hope that MMA can keep bringing people together — even just for small moments.

But MMA fighters are just one set of workers fearing for their lives as the Taliban take control again. Some Afghan war-time interpreters say they have been blocked from seeking asylum even though they face reprisals from the Taliban.
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In a country where Taliban control is impacting so many lives, safety is a serious concern for the women taking risks and speaking out as Gen Z influencers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

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