The atmosphere inside Prime Hall in Minsk, Belarus, was electric on June 27, 2025, as MMA Series Russia teamed up with the Belarusian FC to host MMA Global Series 91. The event featured nine professional bouts and was streamed live via internet PPV at 12:00 PM ET.
Among the most memorable moments of the evening was a finish delivered by Afghan standout Ahmed Wali Hotak, who executed a jumping Kimura to submit Russian prospect Saygid Zirakov in the opening round.
Hotak, entering the bout with a 10-1 professional record, faced a rising talent in Zirakov, who held a 3-1 record prior to the contest. With thousands of fans in attendance and many more watching online, the bout quickly turned into one of the most talked-about performances of the card.
The opening round saw both athletes exchanging calculated grappling maneuvers, but it was Hotak who seized the moment. As the two engaged in a clinch, Hotak launched into a jumping Kimura, using the momentum to lock in the shoulder lock mid-air before dragging Zirakov to the ground.
“That’s a very dangerous hold,” one commentator said in Russian, translated live during the broadcast. “You can get caught here — and he just did.”
The submission came on fast, leaving Zirakov with no choice but to tap. The finishing move was as technical as it was theatrical — an airborne variation rarely seen at the professional level.
“He’s caught, yes,” the other announcer added.
“And just like that, it ends ahead of schedule — in the first round.”
With over 10,000 followers on social media, Hotak has already built a loyal fanbase, particularly in Afghanistan, where MMA is gaining traction despite being banned. This latest performance only enhances his reputation as a dynamic and dangerous finisher inside the cage.
The win at MMA Global Series 91 not only reinforces Hotak’s place among the region’s most promising stars but also adds a unique highlight to the evolving landscape of submission grappling in MMA.
