Mohammad Al Aqraa will step into the spotlight for the first time in more than 18 months when he takes on Youcef Ouabbas in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Mena 2 in Riyadh on Friday.
Al Aqraa was last seen in action at the UAE Warriors 40 in Abu Dhabi on March 2023. The California-based Kuwaiti is undefeated in five professional fights and takes on Ouabbas, the Algerian fighting out of France, who is also undefeated in three appearances.
It will be an interesting contest to see who keeps their unblemished record intact in the co-main event in the 11-fight card headlined by the middleweight clash between Rashed Neda and Abdel Rahmane Driai.
Al Aqraa trains at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) under long-time head coach Javier Mendez and former UFC champion Cain Velasquez. He also has trained with former UFC middleweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and said it was an “honour” to sign up with PFL.
“They did a really good thing with PFL Mena to put all the best Middle East fighters in one tournament to find out who is the best out of the lot,” Al Aqraa told The National.
“So, it's nice. It’s really cool. I'm so happy to be there, to be part of this amazing thing.”
Having started his combat sports journey in judo and kickboxing in Kuwait, Al Aqraa moved full time to MMA after joining AKA in 2017 at age 17.
There, he was pushed into the deep end straightaway to face Nurmagomedov and the current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
“In my mind, I do believe iron sharpens iron,” he said of his training with arguably two of the best MMA fighters of the past decade.
“When you surround yourself with good environments, good people who push you to your limit, this is so important.
“I have to keep improving. I do believe you don't stop training when you don't have a fight. My last fight was a year-and-a-half ago, but I never really stopped training. It is like, every day is like I have a fight.”
Al Aqraa believes PFL Mena offers him a chance to prove that he is the best mixed martial artist in the Middle East.
“When they trying to find me a fight, they couldn't,” he pointed out. “When PFL came in, my coach Javier was like, 'this is the best thing for you'. He has been always telling me that ‘you are the best fighter in the Middle East’ but no one actually knows that.
“No one is going to believe it until they see it in the ring or the cage. So, when I saw PFL Mena, I was like, this is my time to shine.
“That's why I signed with them because the fights are already set. You have a fight right now. When you finish this fight, you go to another one, then a third. At least I'm going to have three fights this year, which is amazing.”
Al Aqraa said training with the likes of Nurmagomedov and Makhachev has instilled in him an unshakable discipline and given him an insight on what it takes to be the best.
“Khabib doesn't know anything about mercy. He doesn't know what stop means. He doesn’t understand it," Al Aqraa said. "I think he pushed us so hard that we are that close to passing out. I'm not even kidding about that.
“I think he goes this hard on us because he cares about us. We’re learning it from him every day. And whenever I have a question, I text him and at the same time he answers and he helps me. Because if I have a question about grappling, who should I ask other than the best in the world?"
On sparring with Makhachev, he added: “You learn a lot from Islam especially because he's the most well-rounded fighter in the world or in the history of this sport, to be honest.
“I used to follow him when he was a UFC contender, he wasn’t a champion at that time and I saw him becoming a champion. It's like when you believe something and you see it with your own eyes, it's different.
“It's not like some guy who just achieved this goal. It’s your friend who achieved his goal. You have seen him while he was growing up and becoming a champion.
“I remember when he became a champion, that day I didn't sleep. I was just smiling the whole time. ‘He made it. I will make it’ was my thought. I was so happy for him.
“Many things I can take from him, Islam and these top guys, they know all the smallest details because they're the best. I'm so happy I'm surrounded by them.”
Al Aqraa left his home for the US at age 17 to study – he graduated in industrial system engineering from San Jose State University last year – and pursue his MMA career full time.
He made his MMA amateur debut in the West Coast Elite 3 and Dragon House 32, winning both his fights in California.
Al Aqraa made a winning start against Mexican Rodrigo Reyes in his first professional appearance in the Ultimate Warrior Challenge in February 2021 before stretching his winning streak to five after four appearances in the UAE Warriors in Abu Dhabi from February 2022 to July 2023.
“I’m grateful to UAE Warriors for providing me the platform. The PFL Mena for the regional fighters is a big thing,” he added.
“I do believe Arabs and the Middle East, we have really big talents, but you just need to put the lights on them.”
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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Griselda
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Company%20Profile
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
RESULT
Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
3%20Body%20Problem
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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