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MMA fighter who used sick ‘ISIS jihadi anthem’ for his walkout music is banned from the sport and fined £147,000

Martial artist's federation says that the fighter picked out the music without realising what it was

ISIS MMA fighter

A MIXED Martial Arts fighter has been banned after using a jihadi anthem to walk out ringside.

Fighter Aziz Karaoglu was also fined almost £150,000 for using the extremist music at an event in May.

The ‘Na’am Qaatil’ music Karaoglu used is regularly played by ISIS and Al Qaeda extremists.

 MMA fighter Aziz Karaoglu has been banned from the sport after using a jihadi anthem as his walk out music
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MMA fighter Aziz Karaoglu has been banned from the sport after using a jihadi anthem as his walk out music

His contract with Polish MMA group Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW Federation) was terminated today.

The sick music was blasted out at fans at the KSW 35 event on 27 May.

But it was only days later that Reddit users noted his odd choice of music.

MMA fans used sub-Reddit page r/MMA to discuss why Karaoglu decided to play the extremist tunes.

According to KSW, the music was a complete mistake.

 Karaoglu walked onto a fight to a tune used by ISIS and Al-Qaeda
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Karaoglu walked onto a fight to a tune used by ISIS and Al-Qaeda
 He was also fined almost £150,000 for the song choice
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He was also fined almost £150,000 for the song choice

The group said that the fighter had asked for the music without realising its extremist undertones.

KSW said in a statement: "The reason for the contract termination is the fighter’s behavior in violation of contractual principles set out in the agreement with KSW.

"Aziz Karaoglu breached the agreement, in particular, by violating accepted moral norms, forms of social behavior and mores, and by making statements that place the KSW Federation in a negative light, subjecting KSW to loss of its good name and to scandal, as well as by acting in a manner that insults public opinion and particular social groups.

 The wrestler's extremist faux-pas was discovered by Reddit users
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The wrestler's extremist faux-pas was discovered by Reddit users

"The KSW Federation would like to emphasise that it was Aziz Karaoglu who provided KSW with the controversial anthem “Na’am Qaatil,” which turned out to be the anthem of the jihadists, for the purpose of its broadcast during his entry into the ring at the 31st KSW Gala," their statement said.

"Aziz Karaoglu intentionally selected the controversial background music and failed to inform KSW about the anthem’s content."

 KSW Federation said that the fighter didn't realise the extreme undertones of the song
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KSW Federation said that the fighter didn't realise the extreme undertones of the song

The group also said that they "reject any and all negative and discriminatory messages associated with the controversial anthem broadcast upon the entry into the ring of Aziz Karaoglu at KSW 35."

Since starting as an MMA fighter in 2000, Karaogulu has fought throughout Europe in the Cage Fighting Championships.


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