RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and mixed martial arts are two extremes as falconry, Arabian horse and camel racing dominate the societal moods but in recent years, a visible shift has been witnessed and the torch-bearers are none other than two rising Saudi martial arts stars who will be making their debut in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Riyadh’s Abdullah Al-Qahtani and Jeddah’s Mostafa Rashed Neda will square off in separate Professional Fighters League playoff bouts today (Wednesday).
Saudi Arabia’s interest in the sport began in 2014, as a regional desert force competition generated a great deal of public attention and its fame has grown since then resulting in establishment of the National Mixed Martial Arts Foundation to harness and hone Saudi talent.
Al-Qahtani, known as “The Reaper”, said he is more than ready to take on American David Zelner at featherweight, despite limited training opportunities. “This is an old-school gym,” he said of the place where he works out, whose walls are decorated with cartoons of boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
“It’s not the best and it doesn’t have the best equipment, but it has very good fighters.
Neda was forced to use YouTube to learn the basics of MMA, and his first proper sparring partner was an American English teacher who showed him the basics of jiujitsu.
Inspired, Neda decided to introduce MMA to other Saudis and eventually formed his own club. “It was a tough time, but thank God, MMA has grown a lot in the last four or five years,” he said.
Like Neda, Al-Qahtani is also awaits his New York debut. “This fight will seal my fate… it’s a sacred place for us,” he said. “God willing, I’ll make everyone proud and win.” I’m not afraid, but I’m looking forward to it.”
