Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The Professional Fighters League has confirmed its return to the UAE as the third season of PFL MENA kicks off at the Coca-Cola Arena on May 24.
And this year, promoters of the popular fight series are adding the local flavour that was missing in the spicy affair so far. Titled “Pride of Arabia”, the season opener aims to solidify the region’s standing as a global mixed martial arts powerhouse and will feature prominent Emirati presence, led by local icons Mohammad Yahya and Zamzam Al Hammadi, among fighters representing 11 nations.
In the main event, featherweight star Mohammad Yahya will make his highly anticipated PFL debut in a quarter-final bout against Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi. Yahya, a former UAE Warriors champion and the first Emirati to compete in the elite Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), returns to home soil with a point to prove.
The spotlight will also fall on 18-year-old sensation Zamzam Al Hammadi, who makes history as the first Emirati female fighter to enter a major professional MMA promotion. A three-time world IMMAF youth champion, Al Hammadi represents a long-term investment for the league as she transitions from amateur ranks while still balancing her university studies and international jiu-jitsu commitments.
As Aletihad sat down to speak to the PFL MENA General Manager Jeremy Mazet to discuss the plans for Dubai, Al Hammadi had her sights set on a jiu-jitsu gold medal in Sanya, China. “It is a big moment for Zamzam because she is only 18 and this is her first fight ever,” Mazet noted.
Yahya made the step up to UFC but is yet to find a win in two attempts. Mazet views Yahya’s arrival as a significant milestone for the league’s regional development. “Mohammad Yahya to me is one of the most exciting and promising fighters in this region, said Mazet.
“He has proven it with a very dominant record, and his journey validates why we are here. It is a big gap to jump from a local promotion to the UFC without the right career growth, and that is where we stand. We want a championship where the best Arab fighters can grow over two or three years before graduating to a global league.
“We also chose Dubai because it is important to have those talents at home in front of their fans. Zamzam is a pioneer in this sport and this is just the beginning. It is our responsibility to make sure she has the right structure around her. This is a five-, 10-, or 20-year plan we have for her.”
The co-main event features an unbeaten lightweight prospect from Morocco, Salah Eddine Hamli, who faces the experienced Algerian veteran Ylies Djiroun. Mazet described the lightweight and featherweight divisions as more competitive than ever, noting that Hamli, who finished every opponent last year, now has a target on his back.
Since launching two-and-a-half years ago, the PFL has held over a dozen events in the Middle East, with Dubai serving as a key stopover. Mazet insists the promotion is no longer in a phase of mere brand awareness but is moving toward aggressive growth within a mature market.
“Last year was a pivotal year where we saw two sold-out events at the Coca-Cola Arena,” Mazet said. "This is just the beginning of the story. MMA is transitioning into a mainstream sport like football or tennis. In this region, it is still growing tremendously, and we are looking at a horizon for the next five to 10 years.”
The Pride of Arabia event has been designed to cater to the diverse expatriate communities within the UAE, featuring fighters from across the Levant and North Africa. In a departure from traditional late-night combat sports scheduling, the event will begin at 4pm on a Sunday to encourage family attendance.
“We have 11 nationalities represented, so Lebanese, Egyptians, Iraqis and Jordanians living here will have a fighter to cheer for. We want to see people from across the Emirates celebrating together.
"Tickets have been priced competitively, starting from Dh35, to ensure the arena remains accessible to a wide demographic, including students and families.”
