Emirati fighter Zamzam Al Hammadi wins debut PFL MENA bout

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Emirati fighter Zamzam Al Hammadi wins debut PFL MENA bout

May 25, 2026

DUBAI,— Emirati fighter Zamzam Al Hammadi picked up her first win in the Professional Fighters League Middle East and North Africa (PFL MENA) SmartCage on Sunday at the “Pride of Arabia” card staged inside Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

Emirati athlete Butti Al Ameri also delivered an early win for the UAE at the opening of the card.

Al Hammadi, 18, defeated Egypt’s Abeer Mansour by unanimous decision in an amateur showcase strawweight contest after a closely contested bout that received strong reactions from spectators during her first appearance in PFL MENA.

After the fight, Al Hammadi said competing in front of supporters in Dubai was an “amazing feeling.”

She said she was overwhelmed by the level of support after entering the cage and added that she hoped to return to PFL and secure additional victories.

Zamzam Al Hammadi after her win, interviewed by The Mettleset, YT.

Earlier in the evening, Al Ameri earned a unanimous decision victory against Egypt’s Hamada Othman in an amateur showcase featherweight matchup. His performance highlighted his position among the UAE’s emerging fighters in the competition.

Al Ameri said he was proud to represent the UAE and display his abilities before fans in Dubai. He added that he enjoyed the result and believed he was continuing to improve.

The event drew large crowds and media attention during the first PFL MENA season opener to be hosted in Dubai.

Organizers brought together several leading mixed martial arts competitors from across the Middle East and North Africa in what was described as an atmosphere reflecting the sport’s ongoing development in the region.

In the main event, Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi secured a split decision victory against the UAE’s Mohammad Yahya after three rounds in the featherweight division.

Algeria’s Ilyas Djiroun defeated Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli by technical knockout in the opening round of their lightweight quarterfinal contest.

Emirati fighter Zamzam Al Hammadi wins debut PFL MENA bout, Dubai, UAE, May 24, 2026. Photo: WAM

Bahrain’s Hamza Kooheji advanced to the tournament semifinals with a unanimous decision victory over Morocco’s Taha Ben Daoud.

Egypt’s Basel Shaalan and Ahmed El Sisi, together with Iraq’s Mohammad Fahmi, also progressed to the lightweight semifinals after victories during the event.

Jordan’s Saher Qasmiya and Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Albrahim earned additional wins on the card.

One major upset came when Djiroun ended Hamli’s winning streak with his first round technical knockout victory in Dubai during competition.

(With files from WAM)