LAHORE: Pakistan’s godfather of mixed martials arts (MMA) Bashir Ahmad announced on Monday that he will be joining ONE Championship, Asia’s biggest MMA promotion, in a brand new management role. Bashir, who has fought six times under the banner of ONE, said on Facebook that he is honoured to be appointed Senior Manager of Industry Partnerships in the company and hopes to further transform MMA in Pakistan. “It’s official. I will now be working with ONE Championship in a brand new role. This is a milestone in my personal martial arts journey and another stamp of legitimacy for Pakistani martial arts. I look forward to taking the skills I have learned developing MMA in Pakistan and apply them to all of Asia. This is a game changer.” He said on his official Facebook page. The MMA veteran, who arrived in Pakistan to promote a sport unknown to its people in 2007, further added that his mission to bring about positivity in the country through the fight game has just started. “To Pakistan – my imperfect, struggling yet amazing Pakistan. You make me angry, you bring me to tears and you inspire me. I have sacrificed much for you, I have gained much from you and my mission to contribute positivity through martial arts has just begun.” Said the 34-year-old. In his ONE Championship battles against some of the world’s elite, Bashir accumulated three wins and equal losses with his last fight ending in a first-round submission victory against Egypt’s Mahmoud Mohamed. When asked about his new role conflicting with his fighting duties, Bashir said that despite the new responsibilities, he will continue to fight and fans will see him in the octagon soon.