Iraqi Dhari Al-Obaidi withdraws from world championship in refusal of normalization

Iraqi mixed martial arts fighter Dhari Al-Obaidi announced his withdrawal from the World Championship after the draw pitted him against a fighter representing Israel, stating that the decision stems from a firm stance on the Palestinian cause and rejection of normalization. The decision sparked widespread praise from Iraqi and Arab audiences on social media.

Iraqi mixed martial arts fighter Dhari Al-Obaidi officially announced his withdrawal from the World Championship competitions after the draw pitted him against a fighter representing the Israeli occupation state. The Iraqi News Agency quoted Al-Obaidi as saying that he had secured qualification and a place in the tournament's golden square, but the draw results matched him with a fighter from the Israeli entity, leading him to make an immediate and decisive withdrawal without hesitation. He added that this stance stems from an absolute belief in the justice of defending the rights of the brotherly Palestinian people and a categorical rejection of recognizing the usurping Israeli entity, noting that the decision was made in agreement with his coach to be a clear message of solidarity. The player indicated that despite the great sporting ambition to continue and win a world medal, national and humanitarian principles remain above any sporting achievement. The decision sparked widespread praise from Iraqi and Arab audiences, with notable interaction on social media, affirming that the decision is a principled stance rejecting normalization. Commentators praised Al-Obaidi's decision, considering that he placed principle above personal achievement.