Mollaei fled to Europe after he criticized the Iranian regime's discriminatory actions, and even dedicated his silver medal win at the Tokyo Olympics to Israel in 2021, thanking the country for its support. Muki and Mollaei subsequently struck up a close friendship, and for the first time, they faced each other last year at the Budapest Grand Slam.

Mollaei won the fight, and the two men hugged, sending a powerful message that friendship knows no political bounds.