Mohamed Zarey, born in Sanandaj, Eastern Kurdistan (northwestern Iran) – also known as the “Kurdish Gorilla” – participated in the PFL Middle East and North Africa (MENA) 2 mixed martial arts tournament in Riyadh on July 4, in which he beat Egypt’s Ayman Galal in the quarter-finals.

According to PLF Mena, Zarey secured a victory over fighter Galal by unanimous decision in the PFL MENA welterweight division. “BFL, who is next for Kurdish power,” he said after the match, using a similar slogan to that Kurdish boxer Agit Kabayel used after he won the WBC Heavyweight Title.

Zarey will face the winner of the upcoming fight between Omar Hussein and Mohamed al-Aqraa in the semifinals. With this win, Zarey improves his record to 10-1, marking five consecutive victories in his PFL debut.

At 31 years old, the Norway-based Zarey has risen through the ranks to become the #3 Pro Men’s Welterweight in the Nordic region of Europe. 

Known for his strength and intelligence in the cage, he proudly carries the nickname “The Kurdish Gorilla.”

“I fight in one of the biggest organizations in the world – the PFL,” he told Kurdistan Chronicle.

“Right now, Kurdish athletes are taking over the sport, and we’ve worked hard to make that happen,” he added.

“My last fight was on July 4 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and my next fight is scheduled for September 27.”