Eelaf Nadeem Wins Second Pro Muay Thai Title as Maldives Takes Gold and Silver in Sri Lanka

Maldivian fighter Ahmed Eelaf Nadeem claimed his second professional Muay Thai title while compatriot Danial Ahmed Zaki finished runner-up at the MAIN CHAMPIONSHIP, held at the BMICH in Sri Lanka on 9 August.

The results gave the Maldives both a champion and a silver medallist at the international professional Muay Thai event, which featured 20 fighters competing across 10 professional bouts.

Eelaf defeated Sri Lankan fighter Isuru in the 76-kilogram middleweight division, securing another major international victory only months after becoming the first Maldivian to win a professional Muay Thai championship.

Danial, competing on the same card, faced Sri Lankan fighter Fahad in a closely contested bout. He ultimately finished as runner-up, adding another international medal to his growing record in combat sports.

The MAIN CHAMPIONSHIP brought together professional fighters representing Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, France, Australia, Iran and India. The event is designed to provide professional Muay Thai athletes with international competition, exposure and opportunities to progress within the championship series.

Success at the event can also provide fighters with greater international recognition and ranking opportunities.

Eelaf builds on historic first title

Eelaf's victory in Colombo marked his second professional Muay Thai title in Sri Lanka.

He made Maldivian sporting history in February at the Unleashed 002 Pro Fight Night in Sri Lanka, where he became the first Maldivian athlete to win gold at a professional Muay Thai championship.

During that event, Eelaf defeated Sri Lankan national champion Pradeep, a 16-time title winner, to secure the landmark victory.

The result also established Eelaf as the number one contender in Sri Lanka's 72kg Muay Thai division, representing a significant breakthrough in his professional career and for Maldivian participation in the sport internationally.

His latest victory at the MAIN CHAMPIONSHIP, this time at 76kg, further strengthens his emerging record on the regional professional circuit.

Danial continues rise in international combat sports

Danial Ahmed Zaki has also established himself as one of the Maldives' leading young combat-sport prospects.

He first represented the country internationally at the 2024 WBC Muay Thai Sri Lanka – Battle of the Titans, where he earned a silver medal and became one of the youngest Maldivian fighters to compete at that level.

Danial followed that achievement in 2025 by becoming one of the first and youngest Maldivian K-1 Kickboxing champions, winning the 57kg title at the CBJ Fight Night Pro Kickboxing Tournament in Sri Lanka.

His runner-up finish at the MAIN CHAMPIONSHIP adds another international result to his record as he continues his development in both Muay Thai and kickboxing.

Sri Lanka partnership supports Maldivian fighters

Both Eelaf and Danial train under Mohamed Shanas, head coach of the Maldives Muay Thai Academy and Fight Soul Maldives.

Ahead of the MAIN CHAMPIONSHIP, the two fighters completed their final preparation at a fight camp in Sri Lanka under Vimukithi Abeynayake of Vanquish Muay Thai and Fitness.

Maldives Muay Thai said its cooperation with Sri Lankan coaches and officials has played an important role in developing fighters from the Maldives and providing access to higher-level training and international competition.

The organisation also credited WBC Muay Thai Sri Lanka and its representative Miran Nilangana for continued technical guidance and development support.

“This journey represents something bigger than one team,” Maldives Muay Thai said, describing the cooperation between the Maldives and Sri Lanka as part of a wider effort to develop competitive Muay Thai athletes.

Muay Thai remains a developing combat sport in the Maldives, where international partnerships provide fighters with access to professional coaching, sparring and competition experience that is still limited domestically.

Sri Lanka's established Muay Thai and kickboxing circuit has increasingly provided Maldivian fighters with opportunities to train and compete against experienced regional athletes.

Maldives Muay Thai said the performances of Eelaf and Danial represent another milestone in the sport's development and thanked the fighters, coaches, supporters and training partners in both countries for contributing to the results.

With Eelaf returning home as champion and Danial as runner-up, the MAIN CHAMPIONSHIP adds another significant chapter to the Maldives' growing presence in international professional combat sports.