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Full coverage· Sports· Updated

Syrian and Lebanese Youth Fighters Boycott Israeli MMA Competitors at World Championship

At the 2026 World MMA Championship in Abu Dhabi, Syrian and Lebanese youth fighters refused to compete against Israeli children, resulting in technical victories for the Israeli athletes. The Israeli MMA Association condemned the boycott and reaffirmed their commitment to compete with pride.

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What happened

  1. 01Syrian and Lebanese youth MMA fighters boycotted matches against Israeli competitors at the 2026 World Championship.
  2. 02Israeli fighters Harel Levi (11) and Ben Bitan (12) advanced by technical victories due to opponents' refusals.
  3. 03The Israeli team includes about 40 athletes competing in Abu Dhabi until August 23.
  4. 04Ido Freinta, Israeli MMA Association president, criticized the boycott as harmful to all athletes.
  5. 05Eric Kaplan urged international sports bodies to penalize those refusing to compete against Israelis.
  6. 06Israeli athletes Karin Schwartz won a bronze medal on the first day of competition.
Translated and summarized by baba from N12, the latest report. Read N12’s original

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