Afghan-German UFC Fighter to Represent Morocco at Paris Event Amid Flag Ban

"I couldn’t find a better choice than the Moroccan flag, because Morocco has been supporting me wholeheartedly for a long time as a good athlete and Muslim," Nasrat Haqparast wrote in Persian on his Instagram account. The Afghan fighter will face Canadian John Makdessi on Saturday at UFC Paris. Prepared since 2019, the confrontation had been canceled twice before being finally confirmed at the Accor Arena on Saturday. This will be the first time in history that the UFC will promote an event in France, reports Asian MMA.

Haqparast was born in Germany to Afghan parents who came to the country as refugees. He who manifests his love for Morocco does not forget his country of origin. "The situation in Afghanistan breaks my heart but our hope is great. The flag of Afghanistan will always be deep in my heart and inshallah I will make this war-torn country proud on Saturday," he promised.