Sweden’s mixed martial artists have been forced into an odd career choice if they want to keep fighting — they have to turn pro.
The country’s COVID-19 restrictions insist that only elite sports competitions can take place. Therefore, on Saturday night an hour from Stockholm, a group of athletes were preparing to make the irreversible step up, shown live on the UFC’s Fight Pass streaming service.
“I’m not sure, but I heard some of the fighters on the card are getting around 1,500 crowns ($174.99) for fighting tonight,” rising UFC bantamweight star Pannie Kianzad, whose partner Ilaz Zabelaj is first up on the card, told Reuters as he warmed up.
Joergen Hamberg, head coach at…
Keep on reading: Swedes go pro to keep mixed martial arts careers going