Last summer, he faced Dutch kickboxing pride Thian de Vries. In the ring of K-1 Beyond, Mahmoud Sattari was outclassed.

The pace was too fast, the blows too sharp. The defeat was obvious and painful. But that night in the ring pales in comparison to the fight he is fighting now.

This time, Sattari is not fighting with fists.

For four days, he heard nothing from his family in Iran. No phone calls. No messages. No sign of life. The connections were down, the silence deafening. Only when he finally regained contact did he himself break the silence. Not as an athlete, but as a son, as a brother, as an Iranian.

Mahmoud Sattari Midori Boss

“This is not a protest. This is a revolution,” he wrote.

His words came from Tokyo, but his thoughts were thousands of kilometres away. In Iran, where unrest is growing and regime pressure can be felt right into living rooms. Sattari, living in Japan and active as a K-1 fighter, publicly sounded the alarm this week. Through social media, he called on the world not to look away. People are oppressed, communication is deliberately blocked, families are losing each other.

“I could not reach my family for four days,” he wrote on X. “The world needs to know what is happening.”

In simple Japanese, he tried to make his message as big as possible. He shared images, photos, short texts. No grand political analyses, but raw cries for help. Look, listen. Don’t forget us.

Mahmoud Sattari& Thian de Vries

Sporting honours will have to wait.

Back in 2025, Sattari faced De Vries, the top Dutch talent who ruthlessly upset him. That match showed there was work to be done. Technical, tactical, physical. But where fighters normally put their focus entirely on the ring, Sattari’s fight now plays out in a way that has nothing to do with sport.

As he prepares for his next appearance, his head is spinning. Is his family safe? Who else can he reach? How do you train, how do you stay sharp, when your heart is on fire?

Mahmoud Sattari

He returns to the ring on 8 February.

At the iconic Yoyogi Arena, Sattari will fight international opponents in the -90 kg K-1 tournament. The pressure is high, expectations are high. But this time there is more at stake than a spot on the roster or sporting revenge.

Perhaps that is precisely why he is fighting harder. Because this is not a night of kickboxing. But a moment of staying power. A way to stand tall, far from home, while his country cries out to be heard.

This message Not with fists, but with words: the silent struggle of Mahmoud Sattari was first published on KnockOutNieuws.

However, his influence extends beyond his own impressive record. Known as a master trainer and mentor, Luc Verheye has already passed on his unrivalled expertise to several talented fighters. One of the most telling examples of this is Thian de Vries, who also managed to win coveted world titles under Verheye’s guidance. This success story highlights the quality and depth of training offered at his gym.

The future also looks promising, as Luc Verheye’s stable houses several more rising stars about to conquer the martial arts world. Names like Dawid Siek, of Polish origin, Thomas Lemaire, with his French roots, and Gabriel Souza, a talented fighter from Brazil, train intensively under his wings. They embody the international allure and diverse talents that come together in this top sports school. Knockout news was therefore particularly curious about the specific content of these world-renowned training sessions. What makes Luc Verheye’s method so unique and effective?

Driven by a healthy dose of curiosity and a touch of admiration, the Knockoutnews reporter worked up a sweat during one of the intense training sessions. What soon became clear was the inevitable focus on knockouts (K.O.’s). This was not training for the faint of heart; these were short, powerful and physically demanding sessions designed to push fighters to their limits and maximise their punching power and stamina. Each exercise focused on developing explosive power and precision, elements essential for achieving K.O.’s in the ring. The intensity was high, the breaks short, and the concentration of both trainers and athletes was palpable.

What also stood out, however, was the presence of an impressive generation of young, promising fighters who blended seamlessly with the experienced guard. These youthful talents, some still in their teens, already had a considerable number of K.O.’s to their credit, a testament to their innate talent and the effectiveness of the training sessions. The training sessions were aimed not only at the elite, but also at cultivating the next generation of champions. One of the most outstanding of these young talents was undoubtedly Branco Verheye, Luc’s own son. With his youthful energy and already proven punching power, he promises to be a worthy successor to his legendary father. His presence highlights the depth of tradition and passion for martial arts passed down from generation to generation in the Verheye family. The atmosphere was infused with discipline, respect and an unyielding will to win, traits inextricably linked to Luc Verheye’s philosophy. It was clear that the foundation for future world champions was laid in Aardenburg.

This message Knockout news on 24 November 2025 exclusive training session led by the legendary Luc Verheye. was first published on KnockOutNieuws.

The event, the high-profile Energy Fight Night in Wenden, Germany, provided the perfect stage for the young fighter to showcase his exceptional skills and insatiable ambition.

What sets Mohammed apart from his peers and even many experienced fighters is his unprecedented “hunger”. This is not a figurative term; it is a deep-seated urge to dominate, conquer and constantly push his limits. This mentality was evident when he took on a much more experienced opponent, a fighter who already had as many as eight B-class matches to his name. However, his opponent’s routine and experience seemed to leave Mohammed completely untouched.

From the moment the bell sounded for the first round, it was clear who would lead the charge. Mohammed El Haji plunged into his prey with unflinching determination. His thoughts were focused only on one goal: “finish and conquer”. The intensity and aggression with which he proceeded completely overwhelmed his opponent. The experienced fighter clearly did not know what hit him. Desperately, he tried to subdue, to “quiet” Mohammed’s rush, but every attempt to slow down the young fighter only seemed to make Mohammed “hungrier”. His will to win grew with every blow and every evaded attack, making him an unstoppable force in the ring.

In the second round, Mohammed’s dominance reached a climax. His opponent was completely gripped, powerless against the young kickboxer’s onslaught. With a series of precise and powerful punches, Mohammed finally managed to work his opponent completely to the canvas. It was a merciless demonstration of power and technique. The match ended in a convincing K.O., with the opponent’s trainer having no choice but to throw in the towel. This happened after Mohammed El Haji needed just 1 minute and 10 seconds of the second round to secure victory. The decision was unanimous and the message crystal clear: Mohammed El Haji is the clear winner, a rising star in the world of kickboxing who will undoubtedly make a lot of noise. His debut was a harbinger of a promising career, marked by his tireless fighting spirit and his unstoppable drive for success.

This message The future Mohammed El Haji, an extremely talented kickboxer of only 17 years 1st B match! was first published on KnockOutNieuws.