Karim Zidan
Senior editor
Karim Zidan is a investigative reporter and feature writer focusing on the intersection of sports and politics. He has written for BloodyElbow since 2014 and has served as an associate editor since 2016. He also writes for The New York Times and The Guardian. Karim has been invited to speak about his work at numerous universities, including Princeton, and was a panelist at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival and the Oslo Freedom Forum. He also participated in the United Nations counter-terrorism conference in 2021. His reporting on Ramzan Kadyrov’s involvement in MMA, much of which was done for Bloody Elbow, has led to numerous award nominations, and was the basis of an award-winning HBO Real Sports documentary.
McCann won’t watch World Cup due to human rights abuses
"I’m not feeling the Qatar vibes."
Trans MMA fighter Alana McLaughlin chronicled in forthcoming documentary
The documentary will focus on McLaughlin’s MMA debut in 2021.
Former UFC fighter arrested in Bosnia sting operation
Denis Stojnić was detained as part of a series of mass arrests in Bosnia and Herzegovina last week.
Fedor: Russian athletes are treated like ‘hostages’ due to bans
The legendary heavyweight fighter appealed to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) to allow Russian athletes back into international competitions.
WWE returns to a Saudi Arabia at risk of ‘imminent attack’
Karim Zidan delves into the WWE’s latest foray to Saudi Arabia despite human rights concerns and threats of an "imminent attack" from Iran.
Former boxer charged in biggest cocaine bust in US history
Goran Gogic, 43, was arrested in Miami, Florida, Sunday night.
Makhachev says ‘no plans’ for Chimaev to train with Team Khabib
Despite the recent peace talks, the UFC lightweight champion does not expect Khamzat Chimaev to join his team anytime soon.
Investigation launched after MMA fighter dies of ‘poisoning’ in Russia
Aleksandr Pisarev, 33, and his wife were hospitalized after falling ill on October 30. The fighter died shortly thereafter.
UFC champ Islam Makhachev visits Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov
The newly crowned UFC lightweight champion was pictured alongside the Chechen dictator over the weekend.
Khabib’s protégée Islam Makhachev receives hero’s welcome in Dagestan
The newly crowned UFC lightweight champion defeated Charles Oliveira to win the title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi last weekend.