Najim M Wali: An Afghan-American MMA Story

By Matt Freeman/BJJ Podcast & Last Round Podcast

Najim M Wali was born in Afghanistan in a time of war and desolation. As a result, when he was only two months old, his family left everything behind and ran for safety. They ended up in Iran, which was also a country going through a war. Najim’s family stayed strong and close to each other throughout the devastating Iran-Iraq war that lasted for eight years. During these trying times of his childhood, Najim learned that he “needed to be tough and strong in order to survive in the world” as he witnessed bombardment, tragic destruction, and loss of human life.

In 1991, Najim and his family left Iran to seek a better life in Germany. He obtained his education and developed a passion for martial arts while there. He studied tae kwon do at the age of 13. Najim also found interest in weightlifting and bodybuilding, which he says gave him, “a better understanding of my body and importance of nutrition.”

In 1998, Najim’s family decided to make a move to the United States of America in pursuit of a new life and opportunities. This marked the most important and the final move of Najim’s family. “Being in a new country was difficult at first especially without the presence of many relatives and friends back in Germany, but life works itself in wonderful ways as only after a few months in the U.S., I met my Sensei, Nima Mazhari, who has become one of the most important and influential people in my life,” said Najim M Wali.

“My Sensei, Nima Mazhari was also new to the United States and was an active world-class full-contact fighter looking for someone to train with. I felt a deep honor to be selected by him for one-on-one private training. Our journey began in the basement of my parents' house and continues to this very day.”

Najim says that the quality of his Sensei’s and parents’ teachings, coaching and mentoring has been the utmost important factor in his growth and development as a martial artist over the years. “In the beginning of my tournament fighting, I lost and won many fights, but I never forgot the quality that he and my parents had instilled in me which was not to give up on my dreams even when the conditions are dire. Their motto was always, ‘pick your self up, brush the adversity off and move on, but be careful not to get too arrogant on the way to success.’

Najim M. Wali has been in many competitions and won the 2006 World Sabaki Challenge Heavyweight Division Championship as well as the 2009 & 2010 Muay Thai IKF World Championship. Finally he has also won two amateur MMA fights and one Pro-MMA fight.

When asked what his goal in life is, Najim relpied, “My goal is to be one of the greatest MMA fighters making my country, family, friends and coaches proud of me. To show the world the great fighter that adversity, struggle, hardship and perseverance has made out of me. To show the world the most amazing fights they will ever see. I want to leave a legacy behind, the legacy of Najim, “The Afghan Rock” Wali! Here I come world! Are you ready for the “Afghan Rock”?”

Q&A

MF: You haven’t fought since 2014, is there any concern that the game has changed so much that you might not be on the cutting edge of what's happening in MMA today?

Najim: I have been a student of martial art for 17 years and I have been practicing it for that long. I haven't fought, because of work reasons- but my training has been consistent. I also have a martial arts school and I’ve been teaching for 8 years now. I train with the best coaches and fighters in my area.

MF: How have you evolved as a fighter since 2014?

Najim: The biggest growth this year has to be my mental stage. I am much more focused and determined than ever.

MF: Why do you even want to fight?

Najim: As a martial artist, fighting and or competing, is the closest thing to a real life situation. To perfect my technique I need to test it. Fighting is the best test. Not shadow work, not pad work, not bag work, not light sparring, but only fighting is the best test. That is why I am fighting. I want to be the best martial artist I can be.

MF: Who would you like to fight?

Najim: My goal as a fighter is to fight my toughest opponent yet this far...whoever that may be.

MF: There are a lot of high level athletes that have reduced the amount of time they spend sparring due to brain injury, have you done the same thing?

Najim: I believe that hard sparring is very important. You can't train light and then go fight hard. It's just like a sprinter who jogs for training and then wants to sprint for competition.

MF: Can you make a living fighting and not be a UFC fighter?

Najim: I don't know. I don't fight for the money (laughter).

Najim M Wali’s next fight takes place on January 28th in Ohio at the Fairhaven Hall

To learn more about Najim, go to his website at http://najimwali.com/

Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/nwali

Or Twitter https://twitter.com/@najimwali