PFL Mena stars continue to train for new season for amidst Ramadan
With a second season of PFL Mena just around the corner, some of the best stars from the Middle East are gearing up to get back in action inside the PFL SmartCage.
For some of the league's top stars however, training for the new season presents some challenges, as it falls during the blessed Ramadan season, which entails fasting. The act of sacrifice, of course, leads to a number of obstacles for athletes who regularly train, including reduced energy, less sleep, and disruption of training routines.
PFL Mena Featherweight Champion Abdullah Al Qahtani, PFL Mena Welterweight Champion Omar El Dafrawy, and PFL Mena Women's Atomweight star Hattan Alsaif have all shared their experiences when training during the blessed Ramadan season.
'Yes, I do train during Ramadan. I make sure to get in a solid training session both before and after Iftar while prioritizing recovery,' Qahtani shared.
'Even while fasting, my focus remains on my next fight—I'm constantly preparing. It's not just about technique and conditioning but also about discipline and hard work. Fight camp is all about grinding, and I'm putting in the work,' he continued.
Qahtani turned in an impressive first PFL Mena season, capturing the league's inaugural 145-pound championship and cemented his status as Saudi Arabia's biggest MMA star.
The 27-year old is now looking forward to Season 2 of PFL Mena and plans on keeping the PFL Mena Featherweight Championship firmly in his grasp.
I'm ready for PFL Mena season two. I know every fighter has their eyes on me, like I'm the prey—but I'm not. I'm the hunter. And I will hunt down every opponent,' 'The Reaper' boldly claimed. 'Last season taught me one thing: never give up. Stay focused on your goal and go after it.'
While Qahtani comes into the season as the reigning titleholder, it looks like he's got a few names in his crosshairs.
'I'm excited to fight Alhyasat again—I want to smash him,' Qahtani shared. 'I also want to fight Islam Reda and Taha Bendaoud. These three guys—I want them!'
From one champion to another, PFL Mena Welterweight king Omar El Dafrawy also continues to keep himself in peak condition, even during Ramadan.
'Of course, I stay in shape during Ramadan,' Dafrawy said. 'I actually have a solid routine. I usually break my fast with something light like dates, and go for my first training session, and then I have my second training session later on at night.'
Dafrawy was one of PFL MENA's biggest surprise stories, as he pulled off a massive upset in the Welterweight Finals of season one, taking out title favorite and veteran Jarrah Al-Selawe.
Dafrawy further explained what his training sessions are like during Ramadan.
'I have my regular camp schedule, but usually the first session right after Iftar is more about technicality, while the second session is the one that's more intense.'
'I usually have one meal after every workout session, plus I make sure to take my vitamins and supplements as well to maintain my energy output,' he continued.
Looking to build off his successful debut PFL Mena season, Dafrawy is excited to see how the second season of PFL Mena will play out.
'I'm excited for PFL Mena 2 and I hope that there can be some exciting storylines like in the first season for my weight class,' he said. 'I'm interested to see what's gonna happen because I know there will be some guys from the previous season that are top contenders to take the belt home this season.'
For Saudi Arabian women's MMA trailblazer Hattan, a schedule is necessary when it comes to training during Ramadan.
'Yes, I train. I have a schedule for Ramadan,' she said. 'It's about the camp, not the time, so I do what needs to be done.'
2024 was a massive year for Alsaif as she made a successful PFL debut after making history as the first Saudi Arabian woman to sign with a major MMA promotion. In three appearances inside the PFL SmartCage, Hattan is 3-0 as an amateur, with all of her wins coming by second-round stoppage.
Alsaif says that she likes to cook during Ramadan so that she has control of what she gets to eat.
'I love to cook my own meals during Ramadan so that I can pick them carefully.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
12-05-2025
- Broadcast Pro
Unlock future of media at CABSAT 2025 Content Congress
Bringing together key players from across the media, entertainment and technology ecosystem, the congress will explore the forces reshaping the industry and provide valuable insights into the future of television, video and content distribution. Dubai is set to become the global hub for media and entertainment innovation as the CABSAT Content Congress returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 13 to 14, 2025. Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving industry, this two-day conference will bring together global experts, policymakers and innovators to explore how artificial intelligence, personalised streaming, virtual production and cross-border co-productions are transforming the way content is created, distributed and consumed. As part of the wider CABSAT 2025 event, the Content Congress will serve as a key forum for examining the transformation sweeping across the media and entertainment landscape. With themes centred on digital disruption, new content formats and emerging technologies, the conference promises attendees access to vital insights and strategies to stay ahead of industry trends. Day one, themed Trends, Technology & Transformation, will open with an exploration of how MENA's media sector is being reshaped by government initiatives and innovation. This includes an in-depth look at the region's Ramadan drama boom, which continues to dominate seasonal viewership. The agenda will also dive into the world of virtual production and cinema, focusing on the use of LED walls, real-time rendering, and AI to streamline and elevate the filmmaking process. On the second day, Digital Disruption & New Formats takes centre stage. Panels will delve into MENA's burgeoning $38bn connected TV market, dissect the content strategies of major digital players such as TikTok and YouTube, and explore how regional platforms are carving out their space. One of the most anticipated sessions will spotlight the rise of vertical micro-dramas—short-form content of just one to three minutes—which has grown into a $5bn global trend and presents a major opportunity in the Arab world. Next-generation sports broadcasting will also be a focus, with discussion on how AI, virtual reality and over-the-top (OTT) platforms are revolutionising fan engagement in a sports rights market valued at $6.5bn. Other sessions will tackle the challenges and opportunities in children's programming, highlighting the fact that 80% of MENA's kids' content is currently imported and exploring how local creators can take a leading role. Additional insights will be provided into film commission incentives, including Abu Dhabi's 50% rebate and Dubai's expanding production infrastructure, both of which are helping to position the UAE as a major global production destination. A lineup of speakers will bring diverse expertise to the stage. Among them are Karim Sarkis from Strategy&, who will address AI's growing role in MENA media; Dan Hu of Tencent Cloud, who will explore the future of streaming; and Anuj Samtani of STEREOVISION, who will present on AI applications in cinematography. Actor and comedian Danish Sait will share insights on brand storytelling in the digital age, while Manoj Abraham Mathew from Dubai Studios will speak on co-productions and regional content distribution strategies. Following the main sessions, a third day of bonus programming on May 15 will offer an Emerging Tech Showcase, where startups shaping the media industry's future will present their innovations. Workshops will also provide hands-on learning in content creation, monetisation, and digital strategy.
Gulf Today
24-04-2025
- Gulf Today
Emirati trailblazer Zamzam takes next big step with PFL Mena signing
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most innovative sports league in the world, announced the signing of Zamzam Al Hammadi, a fast-rising Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star from the UAE. 'I'm happy that I've signed with PFL MENA and it's a pleasure for me to be part of the PFL family,' said Zamzam. 'I'm happy to represent my country on a global stage like the PFL and Inshallah, God will help me to achieve all my dreams.' The 17-year old Zamzam is a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA competitor with championship victories at the IMMAF Youth World Championships and the JJIF World Youth Championships in 2023. She currently has a 2-0 record in amateur MMA. Zamzam comes from a family of martial artists, as her mother, Nada Al Nuaymi, is a judo and jiu-jitsu practitioner, while her sister Ghala is also a decorated grappler and MMA fighter. 'We're thrilled to bring in one of the fastest rising young stars, not just in the Middle East but also in the world, in Zamzam Al Hammadi,' said Jerome Mazet, General Manager of PFL Mena. 'At such a young age, Zamzam already has world championship experience, and we're excited to have her on the PFL MENA roster. One of the goals of PFL MENA is to be able to showcase homegrown talent, and there's no better example than Zamzam, who's going to be a huge inspiration to all the aspiring young talents from the UAE and the Middle East. We cannot wait to see what she can do inside the world-famous PFL SmartCage.' Zamzam is expected to showcase her world-class skills in amateur showcase bouts in the upcoming PFL Mena season. She follows in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia's Hattan Alsaif, who became the first female from the country to sign with a major MMA promotion in 2024.
Campaign ME
24-04-2025
- Campaign ME
Mashreq's SMASHREQ TikTok padel game smashes records, connects with Gen Z
Mashreq has revealed details behind the success of its latest SMASHREQ campaign, which was rolled out in the form of an augmented reality (AR) game on TikTok, connecting Mashreq with the padel community. Reportedly, the first-ever padel game on TikTok, SMASHREQ has officially claimed the title of TikTok's top AR sensation, outperforming more than 40 other games released during the last two years. The campaign was launched to raise awareness about of Mashreq's long-standing association with padel and to reinforce the bank's involvement in sport and wellness. In addition to connecting with youth through digital engagement and padel gamification, the brand also aimed to establish relevance, strengthen Mashreq's positioning as a 'premiere padel brand'. Using creative, entertaining content, Mashreq reflected padel as a dynamic, social sport that resonates with both existing followers and new audiences, thus, creating a community and establishing a network of Padel enthusiasts. Mashreq also created a hook advertising film to aggressively promote the trending game. Rollout of the SMASHREQ campaign The game went live on TikTok from 25 March 2025 to leverage from Ramadan's social traffic. The game has already been on the platform for 30 days, as of 25 April 2025, and will remain on the platform for another 30 days. Mashreq has ensured relevance and reach through a programmatic push combined with digital PR. Additionally, through this period, Mashreq had influencers endorsing the game, paid social content to promote the game, and even incentivised the game itself to increase engagement. TikTok also noticed that content creators have organically picked up the game, played it, and promoted it on their channels. The campaign was supported by collaborations with some of the UAE's top padel players who promoted challenges around the game such as goading people on to beat their high scores. Top players from the UAE Padel Association (UAEPA) and the Egyptian Padel Federation (EPF) advocated for the game. Success of the SMASHREQ campaign While most TikTok content garners attention for approximately 70-90 seconds, Mashreq, quite literally, smashed it with a commendable dwell time of 200 seconds, which is a whopping 143 per cent above the norm. 'Players can't get enough. With an average of 2-3 returns for another round, it's clear that SMASHREQ is the game everyone's talking about,' said Suad Merchant, Global Head of Brand, Partnerships, and Corporate Communications at Mashreq. The campaign, which was the brainchild of Mashreq's Manager of Brand and Partnerships, Saba Oomer, witnessed incredible success, highlighted in its performance metrics: UAE brand campaign performance (Within 10 days) Impressions : 10.20 million : 10.20 million Reach : 6.09 million : 6.09 million Views : 9.75 million : 9.75 million Clicks: 278,000 Egypt brand campaign Performance (Within 10 days) Impressions : 15 million : 15 million Reach : 10.36 million : 10.36 million Views : 14.5 million : 14.5 million Clicks: 860,000 If the numbers are anything to go by, SMASHREQ has not only captivated gamers and Gen Z social media scrollers, it has also become something of a cultural phenomenon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mashreq Egypt المشرق مصر (@mashreqegypt)
