Bashir Ahmad: Meet the "God-father" of Pakistan's MMA scene

Published 1128 GMT (1928 HKT) February 18, 2016

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Bashir Ahmad is known as the "Godfather of MMA in Pakistan" after helping to establish the sport through his gym in Lahore. CHERYL TAY

Ahmad served in the U.S. army during the invasion of Iraq and turned to MMA to help him deal with the stresses of daily life. CHERYL TAY

Ahmad didn't start in the world of MMA until he was 23, taking on the Japanese and Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well as a street fighting class. He made his professional debut at the age of 30. One Championship

Ahmad fights in the One Championship franchise -- Asia's answer to Ultimate Fighting Championship. It's already taken Asia by storm and its popularity is rapidly expanding around the world. One Championship

Ahmad, who moved to the U.S. from Pakistan at the age of two, has been outspoken in his criticism of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his views on American Muslims. One Championship

Ahmad's next fight will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia in February. He has won three of his past five fights and will have huge support once again. Cheryl Tay