German-Kurdish MMA fighter Cihad Akipa, known as “The Punisher,” signed an agreement with Visit Kurdistan on Sunday, becoming the third Kurdish combat sports athlete to serve as a Visit Kurdistan Brand Ambassador. Akipa hopes to become the first MMA fighter to represent the Kurdish flag in the UFC.

Visit Kurdistan has previously signed brand ambassador agreements with WBC heavyweight world champion Agit Kabayel and MMA fighter Namo Fazil.

Read More: Agit Kabayel Becomes First Kurdish WBC Heavyweight World Champion

“There have been some Kurdish fighters in the UFC before, but they didn’t represent themselves in the same way. I represent Germany too, but I mostly represent the Kurdish people,” Akipa told Kurdistan Chronicle.

“If you look at my Instagram, you see the Kurdish flag and everything. The other Kurdish fighters who entered the UFC didn’t really show or represent the Kurdish identity in the same way,” he said.

“I think it’s not allowed right now to show the Kurdish flag in the UFC, and I want to be the first one to represent the flag there.”

So far, Akipa has a six-fight winning streak and will have his next fight on January 16 in Stuttgart, Germany, where a lot of Kurds live, and which is locally also known as “Little Kurdistan.” 

“My record is 12–2, and I have a very big community. I think I’m in a very good position to get into the UFC right now.

“I just need to win one more fight, maybe two more fights. Then I think I can make it,” he added.

“For me, it’s very important to make Visit Kurdistan bigger and bigger, and to show the world that Kurds are here. It’s our time now. Maybe we can organize training camps with international fighters and support the younger generation. That would be a dream for me,” Akipa said during the signing ceremony with Visit Kurdistan.

“I want to reach the biggest stage in sports, the UFC, and represent Kurdistan and the Kurdish people. Our flag is not officially allowed [at UFC events], but I will fight for it until the end. I want to be one of the first UFC fighters to show the Kurdish flag there.”

Read More: Visit Kurdistan Selects MMA Star Namo Fazil as Official Brand Ambassador

In the last few years, Kurds have become more visible in fighting sports. “Before, it was very hard for us as Kurds to represent ourselves,” Akipa told Kurdistan Chronicle. 

“Wherever you went, you had problems and everything. But now, with fighters like me, Agit, and Namo Fazil, this is changing. People can show themselves with pride, dignity, and everything. And that’s the way — together, we are stronger.

“When I was a kid, around 12 or 13 years old, I got bullied at school and everywhere I went. I was very small and skinny, and I don’t know why people treated me like that. But whenever I told people I was Kurdish, I always had problems,” he said.

“So I started thinking that I wanted to defend myself. I started training in martial arts. The name ‘The Punisher’ came from my trainer. He heard about what had happened and gave me the nickname.”

During his current visit to the Kurdistan Region, Akipa has undertaken charity work, as he did during a previous visit to Kurdistan. 

“Last year, we came with a group of friends and organized everything together. We went to different places and helped people who needed it. We use our reach on social media to collect donations and help people out.

“Yesterday, we spent the whole day going to different places to buy things for children. We bought school supplies and things for babies, like diapers, milk, and other necessities, as well as toys,” he said.

In the future, Akipa hopes also to bring international fighters to Kurdistan. “It would be very nice if we could make training camps here and bring international fighters to this place, to show people what Kurdistan is really like,” he said.

“Because when people think about Kurdistan, they sometimes think it’s just a village or a very undeveloped place. But if you come to this place, it’s at the highest level. The Youth Hub and Erbil Avenue are crazy,” he added. 

“When I saw it, I thought it was so nice. Hopefully we can work together on a training camp next year.

“I think with entertainment, you can reach a lot of people. The best way to reach people is through entertainment, sports and this kind of thing. And I want to be a big part of that — bringing tourism from Germany to Kurdistan,” he concluded.