Shahzaib Rind: Pakistan’s Unbeaten MMA Star Yet to Receive Promised Recognition
On July 19, Pakistan’s mixed martial arts fighter Shahzaib Rind from Quetta, Balochistan, clinched the Karate Combat Lightweight World Championship by defeating his opponent just moments before the final round ended. Luis Rocha, once again. His explosive elbow strikes and rapid punches forced the referee to stop the bout just four seconds before the round ended, declaring Shahzaib the winner for the third time in Karate Combat.
Fighting in Miami, Florida, Shahzaib extended his undefeated streak to eight consecutive wins. Yet, despite his historic victory and dedication, Shahzaib voiced frustration over unfulfilled promises made by the Pakistani government — particularly a PKR 5 million cash reward that he claims he never received.
Unfulfilled Promises from the Government
Following his previous world title win in 2023, then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly announced a reward of PKR 5 million, along with a support fund of PKR 80 million for Shahzaib's training and future fights. But according to Shahzaib, none of these promises materialized.
“Not a single rupee was given to me. All those announcements were lies. Our politicians are corrupt.”
His candid remarks quickly went viral, forcing the government to respond. Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar issued a public apology, calling the delay a misunderstanding and pledged to resolve the matter immediately.
Official Response from the Government
Tarar tweeted:
He further added that such mistakes should not be repeated and that the government appreciates Shahzaib’s contributions to Pakistan’s global image.
Shahzaib’s Frustration Grows
Shahzaib explained that promises had been made not once but twice — first after defeating an Indian fighter in 2023, and again after securing his second world title later that year. Although follow-ups were made and meetings held with officials such as PM Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashhood, no tangible steps were implemented.
- Over 1.5 years have passed since the announcements.
- Multiple follow-ups resulted only in verbal assurances.
- He felt disappointed when the government failed to acknowledge his third-world title win.
Each time Bangladesh’s cricket squad comes out on top, our Prime Minister takes to Twitter to express his admiration and celebrate their achievement. But I brought home a world title and received silence,” said Shahzaib.
Representing Pakistan on a Global Stage
As the sole athlete from Balochistan to claim an international MMA championship, Shahzaib Rind has served as a remarkable representative for Pakistan. At just 27 years old, he has made waves in the combat sports scene:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shahzaib Rind |
| Hometown | Quetta, Balochistan |
| Age | 27 Years |
| Education | Bachelor's in International Relations |
| Karate Combat Record | 8-0 (Undefeated) |
| Titles | 3-Time World Champion |
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International Career and Achievements
Shahzaib began practicing martial arts at age 8 in Quetta. He spent eight years on the national karate team and was crowned national champion six times. He has participated in and earned medals across the following:
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Azerbaijan
- Nepal
- Iran
“I’ve always felt the pressure of representing Pakistan on such platforms. A poor performance doesn’t just affect me — it impacts opportunities for future athletes from our country,” he stated in a previous interview.
Fighting for Respect — Not Just Titles
While Shahzaib is proud of his achievements, he feels neglected by the very institutions that should be supporting him. The lack of recognition, both financially and symbolically, has left him disheartened. He said:
Still, Shahzaib remains hopeful. After the public apology from the government, he’s cautiously optimistic that this time, promises will be fulfilled.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Fighter
Shahzaib Rind isn’t only a champion inside the ring — he battles just as hard beyond it. Fighting for recognition, respect, and accountability, he represents the perseverance of countless athletes from underrepresented regions of Pakistan.
As the story continues to unfold, fans and citizens alike wait to see if this time, the champion will finally receive the honor, support, and reward he truly deserves.
— Published by PKSportsLive.com