First Emirati UFC fighter gears up for Fight Night comeback

UFC is coming back to Abu Dhabi next month.

On August 3, Mohammad Yahya, the first Emirati to make it to the mixed martial arts (MMA) big leagues, will take on Brazil’s Kaue Fernandes in the Octagon. The two opponents will compete in a lightweight battle at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN vs. NURMAGOMEDOV at the Etihad Arena.

“Train your hardest in silence and let success raise your voice. This is all I ever wanted and I’d rather die than not get my hand raised on August 3,” he wrote on Instagram.

Headliners for the night will be American Cory Sandhagen and undefeated Russian Umar Nurmagomedov as they battle it out in the bantamweight division. UAE fans are familiar with the athletes as they have fought in Abu Dhabi before.

Yahya made his debut with the world’s biggest MMA organization last year in October at UFC 294: MAKHACHEV vs. VOLKANOVSKI 2. He holds an overall record of 12-4 and is an experienced fighter in the region, particularly with UAE Warriors. The home crowd will certainly be cheering him on while he tries to earn his first win in one of UFC’s most competitive divisions.

A lot is at stake for Fernandes as well, who holds an 8-2 record, as he hopes to bag his first finish during his second UFC performance.