Myktybek Orolbai is a beast of nature.
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.
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