The UFC revealed last week that “Fight Island” is Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, which will host four events in July.
Although the location being in Abu Dhabi has come as a disappointment to most, the news is massive for the Middle East. The previously has visited Abu Dhabi on three occasions, most recently UFC 242 last September, when lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his title against Dustin Poirier in the main event.
Despite UFC 242’s success, one common complaint from fans in the Middle East was that the UFC didn’t sign any fighters from the region, many whom fans have been watching headline regional cards since 2012.
UFC 242 included many fighters of Arab descent such as Palestinian-American Belal Muhammad, Moroccan-German Ottman Azaitar, and Algerian-French fighters Nordine Taleb and and Fares Ziam, but none of these fighters were born and bred in the region and largely had not competed in the Middle East previously.
However, that now has changed. Mounir Lazzez, a Tunisian-born welterweight who trains out of Team Nogueira in Dubai, became the first Arab-based fighter to ever sign with the UFC. He will debut against Abdul Razak Alhassan on July 15.
So with Lazzez’s signing, this could potentially open the door for more Arab fighters to get their opportunity. After all, it will certainly be difficult for the UFC to find a late replacement to fly halfway across the world in time, making it a big possibility that an Arab-based fighter gets the call.
With that in mind, here are five Arab fighters who could make the UFC jump in July:
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Jarrah Al-Selawe (14-3)
Jordan’s Jarrah Al-Selawe is widely considered the No. 1 fighter in the Middle East. The current Brave CF welterweight champion and former Desert Force 170-pound champion has won eight of his last nine fights.
Although originally a kickboxer for the Jordanian national team, the 27-year-old has grown into a well-rounded mixed martial artist, with five of his pro wins coming by submission. He boasts arguably the strongest resume out of any fighter in the region with wins over tough competition across the board.
Hashem Arkhaga (5-0)
Hashem Arkhaga vs. Ibrahim El Sawi is one of the most important title fights in the history of the region. Arkhaga mounted an incredible comeback to win the Desert Force middleweight title, improving his record to 4-0.
The MMA pioneer returned after a seven-year hiatus in 2019 to knock South Africa’s Jeremy Smith out in less than a minute. A multiple-time NAGA North American grappler, Arkhaga is a tall, cerebral fighter who has developed slick striking skills to compliment his elite grappling.
Rami Hamed (9-3)
American Top Team’s Rami Hamed competed as recently as last month, when he picked up a unanimous decision win over Frank Carrillo at Titan FC 60.
The Lebanese striker has competed for both Middle-Eastern based promotions Desert Force and Brave CF, and is a former Titan FC welterweight title challenger.
Ali Al-Qaisi (8-3)
A 2015 and 2016 World Kung-Fu and Sanda champion, Ali Al-Qaisi had a rocky start when transitioning to MMA. After dropping his first two pro fights, Qaisi has won eight of his last nine and is on a five-fight winning streak.
Qaisi recently re-located to Dallas with his family to train with surging gym Fortis MMA under the guidance of coach Sayif Saud.
Omar Hussein (7-1)
Omar Hussein’s lone loss has come at the hands of one of the hottest young prospects in Max Rohskopf, who makes his UFC debut this weekend.
Apart from that, the Team Alpha Male and Gladiator MMA product has built a solid amateur resume before turning pro, competing multiple times for West Coast Fighting Championship where the likes of Josh Emmett and Andre Fili started out their careers.
Hussein is a well-rounded fighter, good everywhere and is touted to compete for the UAE Warriors welterweight title in the next few months.
Next page: Honorable mentions
Honourable mentions:
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (10-3) – Former Desert Force featherweight champion and former Brave CF lightweight champion
- Mohammad Fakhreddine (13-4) – Former Desert Force middleweight champion
- Mohammad Karaki (9-1) – Former Desert Force light heavyweight and middleweight champion and former Phoenix FC middleweight champ
- Izzeddine Al Derbani (9-2) – Former Desert Force featherweight champion
- Amin Ayoub (14-4) – UAE Warriors welterweight and lightweight champ
- David Bear (9-1)
- Ahmed Faress (16-3)
- Anas Siraj Mounir (7-2)
- Ahmed Amir (10-3-1)
- Hamza Kooheji (9-2)
- Ahmed Labban (9-4)
