Hotak returns to Kabul after Belarus victory

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghan mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Ahmad Wali Hotak returned to the country on Sunday after defeating Russian opponent Saiged Zirkov in Belarus.

Hotak secured the win in the Global Series Open competition held Friday at Prime Hall Stadium in Minsk. Competing in the 70-kilogram weight class, he gained victory via submission.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, Hotak said he had prepared extensively for the bout, which played a key role in his performance.

“My opponent was strong, but I had developed a solid tactical plan,” he said. “I stuck to that plan and managed to defeat him.”

The victory marks Hotak’s first since returning to professional MMA after a three-year hiatus, improving his career record to 11 wins. It was also his debut match in the current Global Series Open.

Meanwhile, fellow Afghan MMA fighter Wahidullah Nazhand triumphed over his Tajik opponent, Faridun Shokhnazrov, in a separate bout held in Germany on Saturday night.

kk/sa