DUBAI: The “PFL MENA: Pride of Arabia” show is set to take over Coca-Cola Arena this weekend for two nights of world-class entertainment, live music, and elite cage action by fighters from across the Middle East and North Africa.
The event, held in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, will have fighters representing 11 nations across the region for the 2026 season opener.
The weekend gets underway on Saturday with live performances by Arab icons Mohamed Ramadan and Bader Al-Shuaibi at the ceremonial weigh-in, in anticipation of the fights on Sunday.
Mohammad “The UAE Warrior” Yahya (12-6) will make his PFL debut on home soil against Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi (6-2) in the featherweight tournament quarterfinal. A fighter who has competed at UFC level and is a former UAE Warriors Champion, Yahya is familiar with the spotlight.
“The pressure doesn’t really affect me. I’ve fought in many big events before, including main events. I’m just focused on my goal, and that’s winning this fight,” said Yahya. “I’m on point and I'm ready.”
Facing him is Saadi, who trains in Abu Dhabi and has framed the clash as a battle between two emirates. “It’s my hometown, so we will have a fight between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the 24th of May.”
The Tunisian, a former police officer in France, who credits the experience with giving him a unique mental edge, is confident: “My plan is to finish him in the second round but let’s see what happens. Anything can happen.”
Zamzam Al-Hammadi, the UAE’s first female MMA fighter to compete in a major regional promotion, makes her PFL MENA debut on Sunday.
At just 18, the IMMAF Youth World Champion arrives with a 2-0 amateur record and a deep family legacy. Her mother, Nada Al-Nuaymi, is a judo and jiu-jitsu practitioner, and her sister Ghala is also a decorated grappler and MMA fighter.
“We still train together, but now we’re having some challenges because I’ve caught up with her. Hopefully I’ll get the win for us too,” said Al-Hammadi of her mother Nada, who holds a brown belt in jiu-jitsu.
“She’s my biggest supporter, and everyone knows that. First and foremost I’m fighting for my country, and then for my mum. I just want her to be happy.”
Al-Hammadi faces Abeer Mansour (2-1) in the women’s strawweight amateur showcase.
In the lightweight tournament quarterfinal co-main event, Morocco’s Salah “Supersalah” Eddine Hamli (11-0), one of the region’s most feared finishers and reigning lightweight champion, faces Algeria’s experienced Ylies “Broly” Djiroun (24-9) in what promises to be a compelling stylistic clash.
In addition, Bahrain's Hamza Kooheji (14-4) takes on Morocco’s Taha Bendaoud (5-1) in the featherweight tournament, while the lightweight bracket features Mohammad Fahmi (6-1) versus Assem Ghanem (7-0), Ahmed El-Sisy (7-2) versus Harda Karim (5-2), and Georges Eid (11-6) versus Hussein Fakher (7-4).
