If you’re a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA) or simply appreciate the great sport, you’ve probably noticed that MMA is skyrocketing in popularity.
Recently, an increasing number of Jewish fighters are making a name for themselves in the ring.These up-and-coming fighters are challenging stereotypes and, in the words of his Israeli MMA fighter, Simon Smotritsky – Proving that “Jews are more than just lawyers and accountants.”
Here are some outstanding Jewish fighters who are proudly displaying their Judaism and making an impact on and off the mat. Unpacked spoke with three of these four fighters and here’s what they had to say.
Read more: 8 Jewish athletes to watch in 2023
natan levy
Nathan “Lethal” Levy He is currently the only active Jewish fighter on the UFC roster. For those unfamiliar, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is America’s premier mixed martial arts promotion company that hosts professional MMA competitions around the world.
As of 2022, it is also the largest MMA promoter in the world, hosting events in many countries and managing 12 weight classes (8 men’s weight classes and 4 women’s weight classes).
Levy boasts a 2-1 UFC record and an 8-1 record in the lightweight (155-pound) division.
Born in France and raised in Herzliya, Israel, Levi began his martial arts journey with Kung Fu, earning his black belt at the age of 17. At the age of 18 he moved to Japan and continued training in karate, again obtaining his black belt.
After returning to Israel, he opened a martial arts dojo in Tel Aviv. By the age of 22, he began his path to professional MMA, which has become his career. This path led him to great success and overcame numerous challenges both inside and outside of the Octagon.
Levy is also a vocal Jewish activist and frequently criticizes anti-Semitism. Most recently, he made headlines for criticizing Kanye West following his anti-Semitic comments. “Kanye, if you have a problem with me or my guys, come see me,” Levy said in the video, which was picked up by TMZ.
Levy also attracted a lot of attention for confronting neo-Nazi sympathizers online, which led to a physical confrontation. The video shows Levy eliminating Holocaust deniers with little effort. The fight went viral, garnering him over 250,000 views on YouTube.
Levi’s Jewish pride is undeniable. It shows in his activism, his fighting spirit, and his cultural advocacy.
You can learn more about Levy by listening to the podcasts “Soothing Semantic” and “Natan Levy – An Israeli MMA Fighter Joins The UFC.”
Eli Barzilai
Boasting an astonishing 8-1 victory, six of those wins were by technical knockout/knockout (TKO/KO). Eli Barzilai He is a force to be reckoned with in the MMA scene. The proud Jewish-Israeli fighter is 3-0 and undefeated in his professional debut, with two impressive sub-25 finishes.
Nicknamed “The Hype Is Real,” Barzilai is rapidly progressing towards the UFC. His most recent Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) victory was James Pleasant His split decision victory is a testament to his skill and determination.
LFA is a prominent American MMA promotion company. He is considered one of the upper level feeder leagues of the UFC and his penultimate step into his league.
Barzilai, just 22 years old, is a standout athlete at lightweight (155 pounds) and is currently ranked 76th out of 327 in the USA West Pro Lightweight division.
Born in Israel, Barzilai began training in martial arts early on and currently lives and trains in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he is the No. 1 amateur.
Barzilai is known for his Jiu-Jitsu. He was world champion number 2 until his 18th year and was also European champion. He loves to put pressure on his opponents, but he also has an extensive grappling and striking skill set.
In a September 2023 interview, Barzilai shared his views on what being a Jewish fighter means to him.
“For me, as a Jewish fighter and an Israeli fighter, I feel the need to represent my country and Jews around the world in the best possible way. We are inspired by the Fatherland, and we must fight to the end, just like our homeland, which has inspired all our fights to this day, and we must continue to fight, just like our homeland and the Jews around the world. .”
Ilay Barzilay is definitely a fighter to keep an eye on as he is gaining popularity in the MMA world.
nili block
nili blockOften hailed as Israel’s Muay Thai Queen, she has been training and competing in Muay Thai and kickboxing tournaments for over 10 years, starting when she was just 10 years old.
Brock’s accomplishments are impressive: he is a six-time Muay Thai World Champion, a four-time European Champion, and recently won a decision in Thailand.
Watch the block battle in Thailand here:
When asked about how Judaism relates to her martial arts career, Bullock said, “The essence of my Judaism keeps the fire burning within me to go out and fight and win. “I’m doing it,” he said.
She began her training after immigrating to Israel from America at a young age.
Block said fans are often surprised to learn that she represents Israel. She feels it is part of her influence to break down her preconceptions about Jewish Israelis and to encourage Jewish and Israeli people who embody her positivity, talent, and kindness. Showing women to the world.
Beyond her athletic ability, Brock’s life as a Modern Orthodox Jew raised, bilingual and a dual citizen of Israel and the United States adds to her unique story.
At the beginning of her career, she brought her own food when traveling overseas for competitions and was conscious of navigating the complexities of Sabbath in professional sports.
Having begun her career as an openly Jewish person, she felt pressure to maintain this persona over the years.
Slowly, she realized that her inner self had changed and accepted that she did not need to take on this persona for the media. Today, she remains a committed Jew and makes a conscious effort to go to Chabad on Friday nights, traveling and observing her Shabbat in her own way.
In addition to showcasing his martial arts talent, Brock proves that an observant Jewish man can still excel as a professional MMA fighter. Her mindset, her dedication, and her training suggest that she will continue to inspire and break down barriers.
Simon Smotritsky
Simon Smotritsy In August, he won an important victory fighting under FuryFC, a mixed martial arts organization that partners with the UFC to discover talent.
This win marks a significant step in his ascension to the top combat sports league, the UFC. Smotritsky, known as “The Assassin,” owns a 10-2 record, with his only loss coming in the highly competitive UFC Contender Series.
Smotritsky’s fighting style is characterized by quick, powerful strikes and mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, while being versatile and skilled in all aspects of combat.
When asked what keeps him going during games, Smotritsky said: I want to prove to the world that Jews can be the best not only in financial advisors, doctors, and lawyers, but also in sports, especially martial arts. ”
Smotritsky, a native of Holon Israel, competes at welterweight (170 pounds) and is currently ranked 45th out of 1,091 active professional welterweights in the United States.
If you watch the video above of Natan Levy fighting a Holocaust denier, you’ll see Smotritsky take over in the ring about seven minutes into the fight.
He concluded by saying: “Don’t he S#%$ talk about Jews, baby.” Smotritsky is not only a formidable competitor, but also a notable and proud Jewish fighter.
