German based middleweight Aziz Karaoglu MMA fighter and pro boxer has been fighting since 2000, but had his contract terminated effective immediately by the Polish MMA organization Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW). Karaoglu had fought in all seven time for KSW.
His offense was using an “Al Qaeda anthem” for his walkout music at a recent fight, which caused an uproar on social media.
Jim Edwards writing for England’s The Mirror, reports that following an investigation, the federation concluded Karaoglu had used the jihadist’s Na’am Qaatil music at their KSW 35 event on May 27.
The organization released an official statement:
On June 7, 2016, the KSW Federation terminated the agreement with Aziz Karaoglu with immediate effect..
The reason for the contract termination is the fighter’s behavior in violation of contractual principles set out in the agreement with KSW. Aziz Karaoglu breached the agreement, in particular, by violating accepted moral norms, forms of social behavior and mores, and by making statements that place the KSW Federation in a negative light, subjecting KSW to loss of its good name and to scandal, as well as by acting in a manner that insults public opinion and particular social groups.
The KSW Federation would like to emphasize that it was Aziz Karaoglu who provided KSW with the controversial anthem Na’am Qaatil, which turned out to be the anthem of the jihadists, for the purpose of its broadcast during his entry into the ring at the 31st KSW Gala. Aziz Karaoglu intentionally selected the controversial background music and failed to inform KSW about the anthem’s content.
Aziz Karaoglu also made public statements that subjected the KSW Federation to loss of its good name, which statements indicated that KSW allegedly defrauded the fighter of his victory during his most recent fight. Further, in addition to the immediate termination of the agreement with Aziz Karaoglu, the KSW Federation has decided to use its contractual right and has requested from the Fighter contractual penalty in the amount of PLN 800,000.
The KSW Federation once again emphasizes that, as an organization which aims to constantly raise the standards of mixed martial arts, categorically rejects any and all negative and discriminatory messages associated with the controversial anthem broadcast upon the entry into the ring of Aziz Karaoglu at KSW 35.
Attachment to the statement – list of violation of the agreement.
As noted, in addition to being released, the fighter was also fined PLN 800,000, which is approximately US$200,000.
Karaogulu is yet to release a statement on the matter.
