Umer Kayani becomes first Pakistani MMA fighter to sign for Bellator

Country set to have representation at world's second-biggest cagefighting promotion

KARACHI: Umer Kayani is set to become Pakistan’s first-ever mixed martial artist (MMA) to fight for Bellator, widely considered the second biggest MMA promotion in the world after the UFC.

Kayani, who fights out of the UK but has links with Jhelum and will be representing Pakistan from hereon, is on the preliminary card for the company’s May 19 event — Bellator 179 — in London and will enter the cage opposite compatriot Nathan Jones.

Nicknamed Bullettooth, Kayani endured a tough start to his career, losing three of his first four fights, before putting together six straight wins, per Tapology.com — a run that has brought his name among top welterweight prospects on the British circuit.

“I’ll be gunning for my seventh straight win Inshallah on May 19,” Kayani told The Express Tribune. “I’ve been out of the game for two years and also have to cut a lot of weight for this fight, almost 11kgs, but regardless, history will be made.”

Sheikh Sultan Shahid, the owner of Lahore's VCL gym where Kayani has previously trained, has full faith in Kayani's ability to pulling off a victory.

"He is a class guy, made like a bull," said Sultan. "I'm confident he will get the job done."

Synergy’s Bashir Ahmad, meanwhile, made sure the magnitude of Kayani's achievement is not lost on Pakistan's fight fans.

“To have somebody from a Pakistani background, someone who has been involved with our MMA community, fighting in a league like Bellator is a major milestone," said Bashir, a ONE FC fighter himself. "It’s going to do a lot to spread awareness about Pakistani MMA.”

Kayani’s bout with Jones comes on the prelims of a main card that features an array of ex-UFC fighters and other notable names, including welterweight standout Rory McDonald, French veteran Cheick Kongo and the ever-exciting Michael “Venom” Page.

Kayani is also notable for his public beef with Shah “No Pain” Hussain, another English fighter of Pakistani origin who has also fought on Pakistani soil.