Israeli UFC fighter, Natan Levy, urges Jewish people to defend themselves
Natan Levy, currently the only Israeli UFC fighter in UFC, appeared on the most recent episode of Podcast Against Antisemitism where he revealed that he used to defend his cousins against antisemites. Watch above.
In this episode, Levy also explains how he has used his platform as a martial artist to address antisemitism and his plans to auction off his ring gear and donate the proceeds to Holocaust survivors.
“With my cousins, we’d fly to France a few times a year and from a certain age, it would be, ‘Hey Natan, this kid took my kippa (skullcap), they took my bicycle.’ I’d be like ‘Who is it? Show me who it is.’ And we’d go take care of it.”
“I was never looking for fights but if there was a reason to fight, I’m not gonna back down. I might even be a little excited for it, a little bit scared, but I know what needs to be done.”
“Every Jewish person in the world should learn martial arts,” the fighter urged.
Levy earned his spot in the UFC while competing on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. He defeated Shaheen Santana that night by way of third round submission. Since then, 30-year-old fighter who now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and trains at Synidcate MMA, has picked up one win, and one loss with the promotion.
Levy will face Genaro Valdéz at an upcoming UFC Fight Night card on December 3.
Current lineup – Fight card subject to change
Derek Brunson vs. Jack Hermansson – 185 lbs
Tracy Cortez vs. Amanda Ribas – 125 lbs
Matheus Nicolau vs. Matt Schnell – 125 lbs
Clay Guida vs. Scott Holtzman – 155 lbs
Eryk Anders vs. Kyle Daukaus – 185 lbs
Francis Marshall vs. Marcelo Rojo – 145 lbs
Natan Levy vs. Genaro Valdéz – 155 lbs
Michael Johnson vs. Marc Diakiese – 155 lbs
Angela Hill vs. Emily Ducote – 115 lbs
