Desk Report:
Marking a new chapter in the history of combat sports in Bangladesh, the second edition of the ‘Zulcan Fighting Championship (ZFC)’—titled ‘ZFC 2: Pride of Bangladesh’—is set to take place this Friday (September 18) at the Zulcan Indoor Arena in Bashundhara Sports City. Organized by Tanvir Bashundhara Group (TBG), this international tournament features fighters from seven countries, including Bangladesh.
The competition was officially announced during a press conference held on Thursday afternoon (September 17) at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB). International fighters from Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, the USA, Iran, and Malaysia were present at the event.
During the press conference, the fighters underwent official weigh-ins and faced off against their respective opponents. This was followed by a lively Q&A session involving journalists and organizers. Ahmed Ibrahim Sobhan, Managing Director of Tanvir Bashundhara Group, was present at the event.
Following the successful ‘ZFC 1: The Takeover’ held last April, this edition will feature a total of 10 bouts, five of which are direct title fights. A major highlight of the tournament is the country’s first-ever ‘Bare-Knuckle Boxing’ bout, featuring a three-round match between experienced American fighter Will Chope and Iran’s Mostafa Ashouri.
In the main event, Bangladesh’s Masjidul Reza Omio and Thailand’s Thanapat Thitham will face off in a five-round bout for the WMO Asia Muay Thai title. The co-main event will see Sur Krishna Chakma compete against Indonesia’s Kundimang in a six-round fight for the ZFC Boxing title. Additionally, in the ZFC Muay Thai title bout, Bangladesh’s Muhammad Rashid will face Malaysia’s Erwandi Kalai, while Sirajul Rabbi will take on Singapore’s Sean Raphael Sunny for the ZFC Boxing title.
Other matchups include a Pro-MMA bout between Manjur Alam and Indonesia’s Philipus Ranga. In women’s professional boxing, Sanjida Jannat will face Malaysia’s Meredi Michael in a six-round contest. Other professional boxing bouts will see Rakib Hossain face Indonesia’s Dedi Imprax, and Gonadan Chakma fight against Singapore’s Donovan McIntyre. The day’s opening bout will feature a women’s semi-pro Muay Thai match between Gazi Arnaz and Shompa Islam.
With the exception of the women’s professional boxing match, all bouts will consist of three-minute rounds. There will be a two-minute break during the main event and one-minute breaks for the other bouts.
TBG authorities stated that the Zulkan Indoor Arena was constructed and this tournament organized with the aim of providing a world-class international platform for the country’s young fighters and representing combat sports on the global stage.
