@danawhite / Twitter
UFC boss Dana White personally called President Trump to ask for help in saving an Iranian wrestling champ who is set to be executed … and POTUS has already taken action.
As we previously reported, 27-year-old Navid Afkari received TWO death sentences for allegedly participating in a peaceful protest against the government back in 2018.
Afkari is a decorated wrestler in Iran who has medaled in multiple national tournaments, according to several reports.
When White learned about the situation, the UFC honcho says he felt compelled to do something because “he’s one of us, could be any one of my fighters.”
“The only thing I thought to do was to call the President and see if he could help this man,” White says.
“[Trump] said, ‘Let us look into it, let me talk to my administration and see if there’s something we can do to save his life.'”
President Trump went to Twitter to address Iran’s leadership.
Hearing that Iran is looking to execute a great and popular wrestling star, 27-year-old Navid Afkarai, whose sole act was an anti-government demonstration on the streets. They were protesting the “country’s worsening economic situation and inflation”…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2020
@realDonaldTrump
“Hearing that Iran is looking to execute a great and popular wrestling star, 27-year-old Navid Afkarai, whose sole act was an anti-government demonstration on the streets. They were protesting the ‘country’s worsening economic situation and inflation.'”
He continued, “To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if you would spare this young man’s life, and not execute him.”
White also had a message for Iran — “I would just like to say that I too, respectfully and humbly, ask the government officials in Iran to please not execute this man and spare his life.”