5 of the best Middle Eastern fighters of all time

As I delve into the lives of these two extraordinary fighters, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of admiration and respect for their journeys. Both Belal Muhammad and Mansour Al-Bazi have faced adversity, yet they’ve risen above it all to become beacons of inspiration in the world of MMA.

The Middle East is rapidly emerging as a hub for mixed martial arts (MMA). Major UFC events such as UFC Saudi Arabia held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and fight island cards on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates, along with the integration of top regional talent into major MMA promotions, are fueling the growth of this sport in the region. As a result, MMA is quickly gaining popularity as one of the most dynamic sports in the Middle East.

In 2016, Brave Combat Federation (Brave CF), a mixed martial arts (MMA) organization based in Bahrain, was established and has since risen to prominence as one of the top promoters nurturing Middle Eastern talents. Meanwhile, UAE Warriors, founded in 2012, also highlights promising newcomers, contributing to the expanding popularity of MMA.

Major fight promotions are just starting to tap into the abundant fighting talent in the Middle East. While the number of notable fighters is continuously increasing, the region’s influence on the sport becomes clearer with each passing event.

As an increasing number of skilled combatants from various martial arts disciplines make their mark in organizations like the UFC, it’s high time the MMA community acknowledges this fresh crop of gifted competitors. MMA is a sport that transcends borders, and it’s heartening to see a region that has traditionally been underrepresented now boasting top-tier talent. Here are some of the most impressive Middle Eastern fighters who have made their way into the octagon.

5. Mohammad Fakhreddine

Lebanon’s Muhammad Fakhreddine, with a record of 16 wins and 5 losses, is quickly becoming one of the Middle East’s most prominent MMA fighters, even though he is still building a reputation beyond his home region. He holds a unique title as the first MMA fighter of Arab origin to become a double champion. This accomplishment was made in 2022 when he defeated Mohamed Said Maalem (12-6) to claim the Brave CF light heavyweight title. Prior to this fight, Fakhreddine was already the middleweight champion, and he knocked out his opponent early into the second round after claiming the light heavyweight title.

Fakhreddine built his reputation in the now-defunct Middle Eastern league, Desert Force. Later, he shifted to Brave CF, enhancing his status as an impressive knockout specialist. So far, he has amassed 13 wins, mainly in well-known fighting organizations.

In the U.S., Fortis MMA’s 40-year-old product hasn’t yet gained stardom. During the 2023 PFL season, he faced Marthin Hamlet (12-5) and was defeated in the first round by a submission hold on his face. This unfortunate turn of events is all Western audiences have seen of Fakhreddine so far, yet he’s known for his impressive knockout abilities.

Fakhreddine’s achievements and regional victories should not be underestimated; this formidable striker stands among the most notable talents in the Middle East. With time, we’ll discover if he’ll get additional chances to shine beyond his home region. Yet, there’s no question that his triumphs and MMA skills will motivate other athletes from the Middle East to explore mixed martial arts.

4. Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady

Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady, aged 29 and sporting a record of 15 wins and 4 losses, competes for Palestine with great pride, matching the intensity of any fighter the Octagon has hosted. Despite losing his UFC debut to Loik Radzhabov (18-6-1), he remains one of the most thrilling up-and-coming talents in a division brimming with skill.

Al-Selwady was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but moved to Jordan at 13. His interest in MMA grew in childhood and by the time he left Jordan for Dallas, Texas, a career in professional fighting was his goal. He made his pro-MMA debut in 2012 with Desert Force and hasn’t looked back. Brave CF was Al-Selwady’s next stop and he made the most of his time there, earning the lightweight title by defeating Lucas Martins (22-7) in 2018. Further stints in Fury FC established Al-Selwady as a budding star.

In 2023, he managed to secure a place in Dana White’s Contenders Series due to his solid reputation. Living up to the expectations generated around him, he clinched a UFC contract after triumphing over George Hardwick (12-2) via unanimous decision.

Despite Al-Selwady not yet reaching his full potential, he is still a formidable opponent with great promise. It remains unclear if he will live up to the expectations set for him, but his past achievements have placed him among the most prominent fighters to emerge from the Middle East so far.

3. Reza Madadi

Born in Iran but primarily residing in Sweden, Reza Madadi (14-6) is among the pioneering UFC fighters of Middle Eastern descent who’ve made a significant impact. Throughout his MMA journey, he fought as a lightweight contender. His wrestling style, characterized by smothering techniques, resulted in eight submission wins and 11 overall finishes. Remarkably, Madadi never suffered a knockout in his 20 career fights from 2006 to 2019, showcasing his impressive durability.

Madadi’s journey into combat sports was kickstarted by wrestling. Throughout his adolescence in Iran and beyond when he moved to Sweden, he participated in this sport extensively. His exceptional talent earned him two Swedish national wrestling championship titles in 2002 and 2003. This grappling prowess paved the way for Madadi’s natural progression into MMA. In his first 13 professional bouts, he emerged victorious on eleven occasions, eventually joining the UFC in 2012. His debut fight with the UFC was at UFC on Fuel TV 2 held in Stockholm, Sweden, where he submitted Yoislandy Izquierdo (13-5) using a second-round guillotine choke.

Madadi’s UFC journey was varied, with a record of 3 wins and 4 losses, and his last fight was in 2017. A notable victory for him was against Michael Johnson in 2013, where he secured a third-round d’arce choke to win (22-19). Madadi entered MMA relatively late, leaving us wondering how much more triumph he might have experienced if he had discovered the sport earlier.

2. Amir Albazi

As an enthusiastic fan, I can’t help but marvel at the impressive journey of Amir Albazi, a combat athlete of Iraqi descent who is making waves today. He currently holds the prestigious third spot in the UFC flyweight division, a testament to his skill and determination. Known for his mastery of submissions, he has earned nine such victories in his career so far, showcasing his slick techniques that have won him recognition.

30-year-old Albazi was born in Baghdad, Iraq, but due to seeking refuge as a child along with his family, they moved to Syria and later Sweden. In his youth, he was often bullied which resulted in numerous physical altercations. During this period, mixed martial arts (MMA) caught his attention, seeming like an ideal channel for the budding combatant. Brazilian jiu-jitsu served as Albazi’s introduction to MMA. He refined his submission techniques and won titles across Europe before making his professional debut at just 15 in 2009. With each victory came increased fame, drawing interest from organizations like Brave CF and Bellator.

2020 marked a significant milestone for Albazi, being the inaugural Iraqi fighter to compete in UFC. He made an impressive debut, defeating Malcolm Gordon in the first round via a triangle choke. Since then, he’s been on a winning streak within UFC, with five consecutive victories. His latest triumph came against Kai Kara-France in a closely contested main event decision during his 2023 fight.

Unfortunately, Albazi was unable to compete in his UFC Fight Night 237 matchup against former champion Brandon Moreno (21-8-2), but his status as a top contender remains unchanged. With each win, Albazi’s reputation continues to grow, and he is approaching becoming the most prominent Iraqi MMA fighter in history.

1. Belal Muhammad

Among all mixed martial artists who have ever competed in UFC history, none has carried the pride of Palestine or the Middle East as vividly as current welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad (24-3)(1). Born in Chicago, Illinois to Palestinian parents, Muhammad faithfully embodies his roots. He waves the Palestinian flag into the Octagon whenever possible and dedicated his UFC 304 title win over Leon Edwards (22-4)(1) to his fellow countrymen. In his post-fight interview, he expressed, “This fight is insignificant compared to what my family and people in Palestine are going through. They’re waging the true battle.”

At Bogan High School, Muhammad excelled as a strong wrestler. It was during this time that he developed an interest in martial arts, a passion that would later lead him to his professional MMA debut in 2012. After periods with Bellator and Titan FC, he amassed a record of 9 wins without a loss. This impressive streak eventually caught the attention of the UFC, and they signed him to their roster in 2016.

An inauspicious start accompanied Muhammad to the Octagon, as he dropped two of his first three fights before winning 14 of his next 16 including his eventual title victory. Muhammad has taken out some of the most deadly welterweights fighting today including Gilbert Burns (22-7), Stephen Thompson (17-7-1), and Sean Brady (16-1). The results of diligent training and game planning are evident. Muhammad’s camps with the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) have only made him a more well-rounded athlete.

In the year 2021, Muhammad drew significant attention when he stepped up at short notice to face Edwards in a highly anticipated matchup for both emerging contenders. Unfortunately, Muhammad sustained an eye poke in the second round that forced him to withdraw from the fight. However, his determination was evident as he went on to win five consecutive bouts, setting up a rematch with Edwards. He succeeded in his following two main event appearances, defeating Vicente Luque (22-10-1) in 2022 and claiming the UFC championship title in the main event of UFC 304.

As an ardent admirer, I’d say: Relentless wrestling, unyielding speed, and a spirit that fills arenas to the brim have crowned Muhammad as the premier welterweight contender of today and the greatest Middle Eastern fighter in history. He faces numerous challenges ahead, but at 36 years young, there’s still plenty of room for him to solidify his legendary status even more.

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2024-08-03 22:14