Zamzam Al Hammadi gave UAE fight fans a result to cheer at Coca-Cola Arena, as the 18-year-old marked her PFL Mena debut with a decision win in Dubai.
The Emirati teenager beat Abeer Mansour in a women’s strawweight amateur showcase on a night that carried plenty of local interest.
Al Hammadi was fighting in front of a home crowd, on a PFL card in Dubai, with her mother watching from the stands.
“It was fantastic fighting in front of my mum for the first time,” Al Hammadi said.
“I saw my shadow as I walked out and was astonished by the amount of support I had at the Coca-Cola Arena. I can’t wait to get back in the Smartcage again in the PFL and hopefully I can get another victory.”
Her win gave the UAE one of the clearest positives from the Pride of Arabia card.
Yahya lost a split decision to Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi
Mohammad Yahya, the country’s most recognisable MMA figure on the night, was less fortunate in the headline bout.
Yahya lost a split decision to Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi in their featherweight quarter-final after three hard rounds. The Emirati had promised an aggressive fight, and he delivered on that, staying in the contest until the final bell.
But two judges scored it for Saadi, ending Yahya’s night in frustration in front of the Dubai crowd.
Saadi paid respect to the UAE fighter afterwards.
“It’s difficult to describe this sensation,” Saadi said. “Yahya was a very tough opponent, so I feel amazing to have come out victorious and I’m proud of my performance.”
The result was a setback for Yahya, but not a flat performance. He pushed the pace and gave Saadi problems across the fight. On another night, the scorecards may have told a different story.
