Israeli MMA fighter Levy withdraws again from fight with Pakistani champion Shahzaib Rind

KARACHI: Israeli mixed martial artist Natan Levy has pulled out of a scheduled Karate Combat lightweight title fight against Pakistan’s Shahzaib Rind, marking the second time the bout has been cancelled.

The development was confirmed after Rind posted a video statement on social media in which he directly addressed Levy and expressed frustration over the latest withdrawal.

Rind said the fight had already been officially announced on Instagram and claimed that the Israeli fighter had again stepped away after previously withdrawing in February.

According to Rind, Levy had instead approached Karate Combat officials requesting to remain on the same fight card but against a different opponent. In his message, Rind alleged that Levy was avoiding a direct contest with him and questioned the timing of his withdrawal, saying injury concerns appeared only when the matchup was against him.

Rind also criticised Levy’s public persona, saying there was a gap between his social media presence and his willingness to compete. He further referred to Levy’s departure from the UFC earlier in 2025, where the fighter exited after recording three wins and two losses.

Despite the cancelled bout, Rind confirmed he will still compete on May 2 as scheduled, adding that he remains available if the original fight is reconsidered.

Shahzaib Rind remains unbeaten in Karate Combat with a 9-0 record and is the organisation’s first Pakistani world champion.

He won the title in Singapore in 2024 and has since defended it multiple times, including victories in Miami and Mexico City.

Outside Karate Combat, Rind has also competed in Wushu and kickboxing, holding a combined record of 75 wins and four losses along with six national titles.