The Taliban government in Afghanistan has officially banned mixed martial arts (MMA), citing its incompatibility with Islamic law.
The Taliban Bans MMA in Afghanistan
An official from the Taliban’s sports authority explained to a local broadcaster that MMA is considered too violent and poses a risk of death. This decision was made following an investigation by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which found that MMA contradicts the teachings of Islam. The Taliban’s General Directorate on Physical Education and Sport issued a statement to the AFP news agency, stating that the sport is problematic under Sharia law, leading to the ban.