Bakhat Muhammad, a tea vendor hailing from Soldier Bazar in Karachi, got into the limelight at the international Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) scene with his recent victory at the Fight Night event in Tehran.
Muhammad clinched the MMA Champion title after an electrifying match against athlete Qasim Rahemi.
Muhammad embarked on a journey into international competitions after taking professional training at the Proficient Academy in Karachi. His journey to fame began in August 2021, with a victory over Ibrahim Muhammadi (65 kg) at the Khatri Fight Night (KFN) in Khost, Afghanistan, organized by the Afghan government.
Continuing his winning streak, Muhammad emerged victorious at the Asian Fight Night in Peshawar, defeating his 65-kg opponent, Umer.
Challenges faced by the MMA Champion
Despite his remarkable achievements on the national stage, including victories at the National Fight Tournament, Karachi Cage Fight League, Kick Boxing Fight, Kick Boxing Quetta, and Liyari Youth Fight, Muhammad faces challenges in securing sponsorships for international competitions.
Muhammad highlighted the difficulties of finding sponsors in a country where awareness about MMA is limited. He stressed the importance of educating people about the sport’s merits and health benefits.
“We need to make people more aware of this game, we need to tell them that it’s an interesting and healthy game,” he said.
The athlete recounted his struggles with sponsorship, often having to approach multiple individuals for support.
Despite facing rejections, Muhammad found backing from local businessmen Shoib Buth, Niamat Allah Emat, the Changazi Group, and some clubs.
Muhammad also underscored the disparity between the ease of financing available for local-level competitions through clubs and organizers and the challenges posed by visa and immigration issues for international tournaments.
“We have to face visa and immigration problems for international competition. Sometimes visas are not received until the date of the competition,” he said.
Background and daily routine of Bakhat Muhammad
In addition to his MMA pursuits, Muhammad is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering at Ilma University Karachi.
Despite belonging to a middle-class family, the 27-year-old works diligently at a tea shop to cover expenses related to his studies, family, and MMA club.
Muhammad’s daily routine showcased his unwavering dedication, beginning at 5 am at the tea shop, followed by MMA practice at 3 pm, university classes at 5 pm, and concluding his day at midnight. Though not financially supported by his family, Muhammad values their moral and psychological encouragement.
Expressing disappointment in the government’s cricket-centric focus, Muhammad called for greater attention to be given to other sports to nurture talents like his own.
He urged the government to provide facilities and support for athletes to shine on the international stage, emphasizing the immense mental and physical benefits that sports bring to individuals and the nation.