Bashir Ahmad is a Pakistani-American Mixed Martial artist who is known as Pakistan’s ‘Godfather’ of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Raised in the US in a family of expats, he ended up joining the army after attending a recruitment course in college. Once he left the force he went back to school and completed his bachelor’s degree in political science from George Mason University and then went on to do his Masters in exercise sciences from California University.

His interest in MMA developed during his army tenure, where he developed an interest and started training. He started taking part in competitions to improve his skills and as they say rest is history.

Bashir laid the foundation of MMA in the country in 2007, with the aim to promote all branches of martial arts and combat sports as well. In Pakistan he has two gyms. Synergy is his commercial venture while Shaheen Gym, located in Chararpind serves as an academy for less privileged kids of the area, where they not only train but also get civic education to help mold them as a positive contributors to society.

Currently, he is signed with the ONE Championship.

Mashable Pakistan talks to Bashir Ahmed about his journey and future plans.