Featuring 28 fighters
Najaf hosts international MMA tournament with Dragon Championship
NAJAF — The Dragon Championship for mixed martial arts unfolded in Najaf, drawing 28 fighters from across Iraq—including competitors from the Kurdistan Region—as well as participants from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Egypt.
The event featured 14 bouts across various weight classes, with fighters demonstrating their prowess before an enthusiastic crowd.
Tournament director Zaid Al-Bahash told 964media that this marked the fourth consecutive edition of the event in Najaf. “We brought in fighters from four countries in addition to participants from all Iraqi governorates and the Kurdistan Region. The event was truly outstanding,” he said, adding that two more tournaments are planned for June and November.
MMA fighter Hussein Fakher, one of the competitors, highlighted the high level of competition. “The tournament was at the highest level, and I prepared well for it. My opponent was from Kazakhstan, and I won in the first round,” he said.
