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Iranian MMA fighter Aliakbari ranks 2nd in Rizin 2016 World Grand Prix

Iranian mixed martial artist Amir Aliakbari (file photo)

Iranian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Amir Aliakbari has exhibited amazing striking and grappling skills besides combat techniques at the Rizin 2016 Openweight World Grand Prix in Japan, and finished as the runner-up in the event.

On Saturday, the Iranian sportsman fell to 42-year-old Croatian heavyweight mixed martial artist Mirko Filipovic in the title clash at the multi-purpose indoor Saitama Super Arena in Saitama City.

The 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Champion and the 2012 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion landed a straight left on Aliakbari, and threw another powerful left before the referee intervened and stopped the fight.

Aliakbari defeated Brazilian Joao Almeida in the preliminary round. He beat Heath Herring from the United States by decision in the second round, before defeating Russian fighter Valentin Moldavsky in the semifinals.

Former Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler Amir Aliakbari snatched the 120-kilogram gold medal at the 2013 World Wrestling Championships at the László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on September 22 that year, making him a two-times world champion.

United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling, then banned Aliakbari for life in December 2013 after he failed his second doping test. He was subsequently stripped of his gold medal.

It is just about two years that he has entered MMA career, and currently fights at Rizin Fighting Federation.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows both striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground, using techniques from other combat sports and martial arts. 

The sport has seen increased popularity recently that rivals boxing and professional wrestling.


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