Latest news with #ZamzamAlHammadi
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Zamzam Al-Hammadi: UAE teen fighter making history in the cage and beyond
Riyadh: At just 17, Zamzam Al-Hammadi is rapidly emerging as one of the Middle East's most promising athletes and a trailblazer for women in combat sports. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Emirati martial artist recently took center stage at the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, where she joined an elite panel of regional sports pioneers to discuss the evolving role of women in athletics. The summit, hosted at the St. Regis Riyadh, was aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and brought together more than 125 influential women from across sectors. Al-Hammadi spoke during the 'Playing to Win: Women, Sports, and Breaking Barriers' panel alongside motorsport driver Mashael Al-Obaidan, boxing advocate Rasha Alkhamis, and Aalia Al-Rasheed, head of the women's football department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. A decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts competitor, Al-Hammadi has already clinched global youth titles under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and JJIF World Youth Championships. Now, she is poised to make history as the first female fighter from the UAE to sign a professional MMA contract with the Professional Fighters League. 'Joining the PFL is a dream come true,' Al-Hammadi said. 'Being a part of the PFL MENA roster means that I'll be competing on a bigger platform, and more eyes will be on me. That reach opens the door for global sponsorships, endorsements and partnerships, and that's going to be a massive deal for me and my family.' Her rise reflects a broader momentum in women's sports across the region. With an unbeaten amateur record and a growing following, Al-Hammadi is set to debut in the second season of PFL MENA, a league that has already reshaped the regional MMA landscape. Being the first female fighter from the UAE to become a professional in MMA comes with a responsibility, Al-Hammadi said. 'I want to be one of the best to ever step foot inside the PFL SmartCage. I want to become a champion, and I want to be able to inspire young athletes, young girls like myself, to follow their dreams and work toward achieving their goals, especially in an industry where there aren't a lot of female fighters that come from the Middle East.' Al-Hammadi's passion for martial arts runs deep. She comes from a family of fighters, with her sister Ghala also training in combat sports and her mother, Nada Al-Nuaymi, a seasoned judo and jiu-jitsu practitioner. This generational dedication emphasizes her position as both a pioneer and a role model. Speaking at the summit, Al-Hammadi highlighted the rapid growth of MMA, particularly for women. She said that the sport has never let them down. 'Now, if we watch, all around the world, the fans are cheering for the females more than the males, so this is something good,' she said. She also praised SURJ Sports Investment, whose partnership with the PFL has been central to the success of the league's expansion into the Middle East. 'For me, SURJ Sports Investment is really helping the PFL to organize, especially now that we have four events in the Middle East,' Al-Hammadi said. 'When it comes to martial arts, most people are thinking outside of the Middle East, but now after seeing and discovering the talent that we have here in the Middle East, and also in Africa, for me it's just awesome.' As she prepares for her professional debut in the PFL SmartCage, Al-Hammadi remains focused on both performance and purpose. Her goal: Not only to win titles but to pave the way for a new generation of female fighters in the Arab world. 'More than just making history,' she said, 'I want to make an impact.'
Gulf Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- 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.
Khaleej Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Meet the first Emirati girl signed by a pro MMA league at just 17
It's not every day that a 17-year-old makes history. And yet, here she is — Zamzam Al Hammadi, the name now etched into the record books as the first Emirati woman to be signed by a professional MMA league, the Professional Fighters League (PFL). From the local mats of Abu Dhabi to the global arena, Zamzam's journey isn't just her own. It's a collective one — carrying the hopes of a generation, the weight of a legacy, and the dreams of countless young girls in the GCC who, for the first time, can see themselves in her. 'When I received the news, I immediately thought of how far the journey has taken me, from local competitions to a global stage,' Zamzam says, pausing with a smile. 'Being signed by PFL wasn't just a personal milestone. It was a moment of prominence, pride and a deep sense of gratitude. It was a signal that the world has started to recognise the potential of Emirati women in MMA.' That recognition, though, didn't come overnight. Zamzam's life has never followed the path of least resistance. Raised in a household that defied expectations, with a mother — Nada Al Nuaymi — who herself fought against societal norms and stage 2 cancer, and a younger sister, Ghala, who trains alongside her, Zamzam has grown up surrounded by strength, and pressure, in equal parts. Her mother's eyes welled up when she shared the news of her PFL signing. 'But it wasn't just tears,' says Zamzam. 'It was tears of joy. She told me, 'You've made our whole family proud, but more importantly you've made history for your country. And Inshallah you're going to achieve more to be the pride of the country, and a name in the world that no one is going to forget.'' An Emirati dream In the Middle East, the power of such representation is not only crucial but can also be felt in more ways than one. The sight of a young Arab woman walking into a professional MMA cage doesn't just challenge stereotypes, it shatters them for generations to come, and Zamzam is fully aware of that weight. 'For the future, it serves as proof that all Emirati girls can achieve what I've managed to achieve and even more,' she says. 'It is a door opening for every girl who dares to dream big.' Her journey mirrors that of Hattan Alsaif, the first Saudi female to sign with a pro MMA league. Where Hattan opened a door in the Kingdom, Zamzam is now kicking it down in the UAE. Together, it marks the beginning of something bigger for the region. 'I know it comes with pressure,' Zamzam admits. 'But it also comes with purpose. Because I know how I'm going to carry myself, how I'm going to fight, and how I'm going to lead. And it is not a burden. It is an honor, to be honest. To be the one who is going to shape this for others, especially for young Emirati girls who are out there dreaming the same dream I have.' From amateurs to the cage The leap from amateur circuits to the professional league is steep, even for the most gifted athletes. So, what does it take for a teenage girl to do it as a first in her country? 'The transition wasn't easy,' says Zamzam. 'The pace, the intensity, the selection in the pro league — it's on another level. But the defining moment came when I looked across the cage at a seasoned fighter and I didn't feel fear. I felt prepared. That's when I knew I was ready to take that leap of faith.' However, this grit and readiness comes from years of dedication — years where she and her sister trained together, fought together, and most importantly, failed and rose together. '[Ghala and I] study our mistakes together, we celebrate each other. Working on this path together side by side is a blessing. Inshallah, we're going to stay on this path, and we're going to achieve more and more in the future,' she adds. 'Maybe she'll even take two steps ahead of me and I'll cheer her on all the same.' The anatomy of a fighter Signing with a league like PFL means the game has now changed for the teen athlete. Training isn't just about strength anymore, it's as much about building an entire ecosystem around her. When asked what she's done to level up accordingly, she responds, 'My routine now is way more advanced. It's about mastering strategy, nutrition, recovery, and mindset. I now train with a full team — coaches, a nutritionist, mental performance specialists. Every detail counts at this level.' But what hasn't changed is the heart. 'The kind of fighter I want to be known as is smart, fearless, and technical,' she adds. 'Someone who brings heart and discipline. My fans can expect sharp striking, relentless pressure, and a spirit that doesn't back down.' A philosophy she recalls being instilled by her mother from a very young age. 'My mother always says, 'You don't just fight for yourself. You fight for your community. Your country.'' A country that's ready If you ask her what's surprised her the most since the signing, Zamzam doesn't hesitate. 'The support,' she says. 'From my gym to the federation to the fans. The encouragement has been overwhelming. It surprised me how ready the community was to embrace this step. It shows the UAE is truly invested in building champions, across all levels.' And that investment truly makes all the difference because change rarely happens in silos. It happens when institutions, families, and young women move in sync, building just enough momentum to keep pushing boundaries. The signing of this contract comes as the fruit of the sustained movement the Hammadi family has nurtured over many years. Before this record-breaking moment, Zamzam and her younger sister had already carved a name for themselves on the amateur circuit — staking their claim long before the professional spotlight found them. Together, the sisters were known for dominating competitions at national and international levels, often facing and defeating more seasoned opponents. Zamzam previously captured the spotlight when she took the title off a Ukrainian champion who had held it for two consecutive years, while the younger sister stunned audiences with a record-setting fastest submission IMMAF World Championships (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation). For the girls who dream But beneath all the accolades and adulation, what really matters most to the young fighter is building a legacy for her nation. 'Your dreams are valid,' says Zamzam. 'Whether it's in the cage, the classroom or anywhere else. Just don't let fear hold you back. You have the strength of generations behind you, and the future is yours to shape. Inshallah, you're going to achieve what you want, if you put it in your mind.' And that's the thing about dreams like hers. Once one girl does it, it doesn't stay her dream alone. It becomes a shared vision, an invitation to others to join in and become part of a movement. Because somewhere, soon enough, another little girl in the GCC will slip on a fresh pair of gloves for the first time, watching Zamzam step into the cage and thinking — not 'maybe I could' but 'I will'. And when she does, perhaps that will be a 'bout' already won!
