The Saudi champion, Hattan Alsaif, has achieved a historic victory in her first bout in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Championship for the Middle East and North Africa region.
Alsaif has knocked out Egypt’s champion Nada Faheem with a head kick in the second round of the bout held at Riyadh.
Uneasy Upbringing
Alsaif had a difficult childhood due to the death of her parents when she was only 10 years old.
She endured difficult times fighting sadness and depression in her teenage years. She intended to defeat her bad circumstances and find a meaning to her life. Accordingly, she sought solace in martial arts and competitions.
Passion for Power
While growing up, Alsaif had always loved extreme, adrenaline-fueled sports, and her passion to try something new brought her to a boxing gym in her local neighborhood.
“I love to do the things that have more power,” Alsaif told CNN Sport.
Then she realized that these boxing classes do not match her expectations and dreams due to lack of professionalism.
At that time, Alsaif was fond of watching videos of Saudi MMA fighter Abdullah Al-Qahtani on social media.
She decided to talk to him, and the pair exchanged messages. As a result, Alsaif was eventually invited to try the sport for herself.
A Courageous Heart
The 22-year-old has been so courageous and optimistic despite the painful fact that she is the first girl who attempts to forge a path never trodden.
During her interview with CNN Sport, Alsaif fearlessly declared that she has never been afraid of competing with men, stating that she is used to sparring with males.
As one of the few women at her gym in Riyadh, and the only woman aiming at fighting at an elite level, Alsaif had no other option but to train with and against her male counterparts. “I always spar with guys, I train with guys, I’m always with the guys in the gym. When I get a hit from a girl, I feel like, ‘Whoa, is this all you’ve got?’” Alsaif told CNN Sport.
A Great Journey Towards Professional Fighters League
Alsaif started to compete in Muay Thai – the stand-up, striking combat sport originating in Thailand.
She embarked on numerous prestigious competitions and won titles at the World Combat Games, the Saudi Games and the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) World Championships.
In January, Alsaif signed a contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), making her the first woman from Saudi Arabia to join a global MMA promotion.
Friday’s fight card in Riyadh marked the first chance of Alsaif to assess whether she was able to translate her Muay Thai prowess into success in an MMA cage.
Fortunately, Alsaif has achieved an overwhelming success in the first bout, featuring her first step towards leaving a legacy in the sport.
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