Dubai witnessed an exceptional night in the world of combat sports, where Emirati fighter Zamzam Al Hammadi stole the spotlight during the “Pride of Arabia” event after securing her first victory inside the PFL MENA SmartCage. The evening reflected the remarkable transformation taking place across the region as the Middle East embraces some of the world’s most prominent mixed martial arts competitions.
The 18‑year‑old Al Hammadi delivered an impressive performance against Egypt’s Abeer Mansour in an amateur strawweight bout, earning a well‑deserved unanimous decision victory. Her debut drew strong crowd reactions, showcasing the rapidly growing passion for combat sports across the Arab world.
Following her win, Al Hammadi said: “It was an incredible feeling… stepping into the cage in front of this crowd was unforgettable. The support I received gave me tremendous strength, and I look forward to returning stronger and achieving more victories.”
Earlier in the evening, Emirati fighter Butti Al Ameri opened the event with a dominant display, securing a unanimous decision win over Egypt’s Hamada Othman in an amateur featherweight bout. Al Ameri expressed his pride in representing the UAE, stating: “I’m very happy with this victory, and I feel that I’m improving every single day.”
The event, hosted at Coca‑Cola Arena in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council and the Department of Economy and Tourism, drew significant media and fan attendance. It marked the historic launch of the first season of PFL MENA in Dubai, featuring a series of high‑level bouts that brought together top fighters from across the region. The atmosphere underscored the accelerating rise of mixed martial arts in the Middle East and North Africa.
In the main event, Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi secured a hard‑fought split‑decision victory over the UAE’s Mohammad Yahya after three intense rounds. Meanwhile, Algeria’s Ilyas Djiroun delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises by stopping Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli with a first‑round technical knockout.
Bahrain’s Hamza Kooheji continued his strong run by defeating Morocco’s Taha Ben Daoud to advance to the semifinals, while Egyptians Basel Shaalan and Ahmed El Sisi, along with Iraq’s Mohammad Fahmi, booked their places in the lightweight semifinals following impressive performances.
In other matchups, Jordan’s Saher Qasmiya earned a split‑decision win over Bahrain’s Hamad Marhoon, and Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Albrahim secured a third‑round technical knockout victory against Egypt’s Ibrahim Mahmoud.
The evening was more than just a series of fights—it was a clear statement that combat sports have become one of the fastest‑growing athletic disciplines in the Middle East and the Arab world, with fans eagerly anticipating every new event. The strong organization and strategic partnerships between PFL MENA and Dubai’s sports and tourism institutions continue to reinforce the emirate’s position as a regional hub for major combat sports events, driving the sport’s growth to new heights.
