Myktybek
Orolbai is a beast of nature.
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The Kyrgyz mixed martial artist’s second-favorite sport is just as
challenging as MMA — if not more. Orolbai recently revealed that
his other love is the traditional sport of Kok Boru. Generated
among nomadic Asian tribes, Kok Boru is known as Kokpar in
Kazakhstan and Buzkashi in Afghanistan, where it is also the
national sport. Also played by Uzbeks, Tajiks, Uyghurs and other
tribes, the sport consists of two teams on horseback wrestling to
carry a goat carcass to the other team’s goal post. The competition
is usually fierce, and players cover themselves with thick gear to
avoid opponents’ whips and shoes.
While it is believed that a skilful Kok Boru player is usually in
his 40s, the 26-year-old Orolbai already claims to be champion of
the sport.
“Kyrgyz sport that’s called Kok Boru… It’s on horseback – Kok Boru.
I love that sport… There a lot of horses… You take a goat’s carcass
on your horse,” Orolbai recently told Red Corner MMA. “It’s not
big, around 60-65 [kilograms] and put it into the other team’s goal
— which is 100-200 meters away. And you get a prize. Yes brother, I
play it every time I’m in Kyrgyzstan. I played it last year. I’m a
champion in this sport.”
Orolbai came into the
UFC riding a six-fight winning streak. He extended it with a
submission win over Uros Medic
in his debut followed by a unanimous decision win over Elves
Brener. His winning streak was snapped by a potential “Fight of
the Year” split-decision loss against Mateusz
Rebecki at UFC 308
last month.