Rajman, believed to be the only Orthodox MMA fighter, won several titles as an amateur before turning pro.
Yossi Eilfort recently threw his first punch to the face — and knocked out his mixed martial arts opponent. “I never knew a rabbi could fight!” trainer Thierry Sokoudjou exclaimed.
ENCINITAS, Calif. — An Orthodox Jewish rabbi hadn’t thrown a punch in his life until he wanted to enter an amateur MMA fight. Yossi Eilfort’s journey began six months ago when he joined forces with MMA fighter and judo specialist Thierry Sokudju of Cameroon and started training at Team Quest Gym in Encinitas.
Unless you follow the violent competitions known as mixed martial arts, you may not have noticed the frequent appearances of iron crosses and Nazi imagery on athletes’ T-shirts or on official merchandise.