MMA: freedom for US-bound Ezatullah Kakar but kick-boxer’s joy mixed with sadness as he leaves refugee friends behind
- The Pakistan-born fighter leaves Papua New Guinea for a new life in the United States after seven years of detention
- The former world championship runner-up says he will fight for the rights of refugees as he hopes to revive his MMA career in North Carolina
Kick-boxer Ezatullah Kakar has vowed to fight for the plight of refugees as he prepares to taste freedom for the first time in more than seven years – though his joy is tempered by the sadness of leaving many friends behind.
The 28-year-old on Thursday was one of three men who left their detention facility in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and began the journey to Raleigh, North Carolina, in the United States, where he hopes to start a new life and revive his mixed martial arts career at the Tapout Fitness gym of former UFC fighter Marcus Davis.
“I will soon be in the ring fighting on behalf of refugees all over the world,” Kakar told the Post before his flight. “I will never stop fighting for the rights of people who just want to have a normal life.
“My dream is coming true but at the same time I am heartbroken. I’ve seen more than 300 people gain their freedom during my detention and I’ve waited for my turn.
“Now I am also leaving behind some friends who I have been with for many years. They are very happy for me but I can’t see them any more. I don’t know when I’ll see them.