Knockout win for Kurdish MMA fighter on Sweden main card

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A Kurdish Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter from Sweden extended his unbeaten run to 11 wins with a knockout victory over his opponent in his second professional fight on Saturday.

Serdar Altas (2-0-0) beat Jake Bond (1-2-0) from England in the flyweight division (125-lbs) on the main card of Fight Club Rush 3 at the Bombardier Arena in Västerås, Sweden.

After an even start to the bout, the Kurdish fighter came out on top with a knockout win toward the end of the first round (4:18).

He celebrated the victory, draped in the Kurdistan flag. “It’s always nice to represent the country you’re coming from,” Altas told Kurdistan 24 after the fight.

“It’s an incredible feeling to raise the Kurdish flag when you have won.”

Altas, born in a small village called Kerboran in the Kurdish-city of Merdin in southern Turkey, previously told Kurdistan 24 he was “going to put Kurdistan on the map.”

The Kurdish athlete is now on an 11-fight win streak, including amateur bouts. His last defeat was over two years ago.

Altas’ first professional MMA fight was in May at Superior Challenge 17, where he defeated opponent Juan Jashari Frantzen (0-1-0) via a round two knockout.

At Superior Challenge 17, the Kurdish fighter was on the preliminary card, but on Saturday, Altas’ bout was one of five main card fights.

Before making his professional MMA debut, Altas won gold at the 2017 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Championship, as well as titles at the IMMAF Africa Open and European Open in 2016.

The 23-year-old moved to Sweden in 2008 with his family where he was reunited with his father. He began training in 2013 as a hobby but quickly fell in love with the sport and has been involved ever since.

“I want to thank everyone that believes [in me] and supports me. That means the world to me,” he told Kurdistan 24.