The capital’s Bashundhara Sports City recently witnessed a high-octane celebration of combat sports as the Zulkan Indoor Arena hosted the second edition of the international competition, ‘Zulkan Fighting Championship’ (ZFC). Organised under the banner of Tanvir Bashundhara Group (TBG), the championship—titled ‘ZFC 2: Pride of Bangladesh’—showcased a thrilling lineup of disciplines, including Muay Thai, traditional boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), and a historic first for the country: bare-knuckle boxing. The packed stands included prominent corporate figures, with Tanvir Bashundhara Group Managing Director Ahmed Ibrahim Sobhan and Sanvir Bashundhara Group Managing Director Emil Ahmed Sobhan watching the bouts from the VIP gallery.
Featuring five main championship titles alongside several high-profile international bouts, the event provided a formidable stage for young, emerging Bangladeshi athletes to test their mettle against seasoned fighters from across the globe.
The undisputed centerpiece of the evening was the country’s debut of bare-knuckle boxing. This raw, glove-free three-round spectacle pitted renowned American fighter Will Chop against Iran’s Mostafa Ashouri. Following an intense, hard-fought exchange inside the arena, Will Chop secured victory, marking a watershed moment that heralds a new professional era for combat sports within Bangladesh.
The night also yielded stellar performances from local and international contenders across various weight classes and titles. In the ZFC Muay Thai Championship, Bangladesh’s Mohammad Rashed hoisted the trophy after overcoming Malaysia’s Erwandi Kalai. Another standout international bout saw Manzur Alam of Bangladesh triumph over Philippines’s Philipus Ranga. Meanwhile, in the WMO Asia Muay Thai Championship, Bangladesh’s Masjidul Reza Omy secured a notable win against Thailand’s Thanapat Titham. In the ZFC Boxing Championship divisions, Bangladesh’s Sura Krishna Chakma emerged victorious against Indonesia’s Kundimang, though local contender Sirajul Rabbi fell short against Singapore’s Sean Raphael Sunny.
Beyond the sporting action, the arena buzzed with the vibrant presence of entertainment personalities and cultural icons. Cast members from the immensely popular television series ‘Bachelor Point’—including Ziaul Hoque Polash, Marzuk Russell, Chashi Alam, and Musafir Syed Bachchu, alongside director Kajol Arefin Omi—rallied the crowd from the stands. The VIP enclosure also welcomed notable actors like Tasnia Farin, singer Zeba Rahman, host Rafsan Sabab, and several leading local social media influencers.
Coming on the heels of the successful inaugural event, ‘ZFC 1: The Takeover’, held earlier this April, this sophomore edition has significantly advanced the landscape of combat sports in the country. By anchoring such large-scale international tournaments at Bashundhara Sports City, organisers are not only creating viable professional pathways for domestic fighters but also placing Bangladesh firmly on the global sporting map. Industry stakeholders remain optimistic that this rising tide of combat sports will serve as a robust launchpad for the nation’s youth to shine on international platforms.
Note: The growing popularity of combat sports among the younger demographic highlights a shift towards diverse athletic disciplines, bolstered by world-class infrastructure and private sector patronage in Bangladesh.
