Over the past few years, there has been a clear trend of Central Asian migrants turning to mixed martial arts in the hopes of achieving a better life in Russia. Some of these migrants train with the ambition of becoming UFC fighters, while others do so in search of a sense of community in a foreign land. Dozens of underground fight clubs sprouted in near-abandoned buildings throughout Moscow, offering migrants a sanctuary to hone their craft, and to exercise as part of a community in a safe space. However, a new documentary have since revealed that these underground facilities also reportedly helped establish criminal networks throughout the Russian Federation.
Report: MMA fight clubs are being used to build criminal networks in Russia
