Mixed martial arts continues to grow in Qatar. The Gulf region is a promising market for international organizations such as ONE and PFL.
There are combat sports fans across the Middle East and martial arts organizations like the One Championship group are keen to take advantage of the demand. The Qatar 365 team attended the debut of the historic ONE championship in Qatar in the front row.
During the action-packed night of fights at the Lusail Sports Arena, international fighters including undefeated MMA champion Anatoly Malykhin delighted fans with a world-class spectacle. Champions from the MENA region also participated in the event, including Iranian heavyweight Amir Aliakbari, who is considered the best asset to bring a gold belt to the Middle East.
Aadel Haleem spoke to ONE Championship founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who explained why he instills in his fighters the values of martial arts: respect, humility, resilience, integrity, courage, discipline and warrior spirit. Beyond the misconception of violence, he added: “Martial arts are one of the greatest platforms for unleashing human potential.”
Laila Humairah visited another MMA group, the Professional Fighters League. She met with up-and-coming PFL fighters and spoke with Biaggio Ali Walsh, grandson of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Biaggio is carving his own path in combat sports and says that although the pressure comes with the legacy of his grandfather’s career, he is not afraid of it. «Pressure leads to excellence. “I hope to become excellent one day because of the pressure,” he told Laila.
Laila also met Hattan Saif, the first Saudi woman to sign a contract with an international MMA league. Hattan is part of the PFL’s Middle East and North Africa squad. This 22-year-old fighter feels it is her duty to inspire and empower other girls to overcome social barriers.
