The Kurdish MMA star Namo Fazil secured a major victory at the Netflix MMA event in Los Angeles. On Saturday night, Fazil defeated Jake Babian during a welterweight bout with a D’arce choke submission in Round 2. The win drew attention from fight fans across the Middle East and beyond.
Fazil entered the arena carrying the Kurdish flag. Shortly after the victory, he raised the flag again while celebrating inside the cage. As a result, supporters across Kurdistan praised his performance online.
“I had a rough week, but we got the job done,” Fazil said after the fight during a Netflix interview.
The event took place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Moreover, Netflix streamed the competition to millions of viewers worldwide. Fazil appeared on the official fight listings alongside a Kurdish flag, which highlighted his identity on the global stage.
The Kurdish MMA star also gained praise from influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul. He described Fazil as a fighter with superstar potential.
“Namo put on a show,” Paul said after the match. “He has that special factor that few fighters carry.”
Fazil, widely known as the “Grandson of Saladin,” improved his professional record to 10 wins and one loss. Furthermore, ranking platforms currently place him among the top welterweight fighters in the Middle East.
On Sunday, Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, congratulated Fazil through a post on X. Barzani wished the fighter continued success and greater achievements in future competitions.
Before the event, Fazil shared an emotional message on Instagram. He described the fight as a moment representing Kurdish pride and identity.
“This is for every Kurd,” Fazil wrote before entering the cage.
Fazil has steadily built a loyal fan base across the region. Additionally, many supporters admire how openly he represents Kurdish culture during international competitions.
Ali Abdelaziz currently manages Fazil’s career. Abdelaziz also works with UFC champion Islam Makhachev and previously managed Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Fazil started martial arts training at 15 years old. Since then, he has dedicated himself fully to the sport. He previously earned victories in promotions including ONE Championship, UAE Warriors, and the Middle East Fighting Championship.
During an earlier interview, Fazil explained his demanding training schedule. He said he trains 16 times every week to stay prepared for every opponent.
The Kurdish MMA star also spoke about his family’s struggles and Kurdish history while discussing mental toughness before fights.
“We Kurds fought for years through hardship,” Fazil said. “That gives me strength before every fight.”
His latest victory now places him among the fastest-rising names in Middle Eastern mixed martial arts. Meanwhile, many fans believe Fazil could soon become one of the sport’s biggest international Kurdish figures.
