'I want to win for my mother': UAE's first pro female MMA fighter Zamzam Al Hammadi on signing for the PFL

At 17, Zamzam Al Hammadi already knows what it means to fight through adversity.

Zamzam had to overcome the pain of the death of her father while her mother was pregnant with her younger twin siblings, a loss she still struggles with.

It meant her mother had to raise Zamzam and her young siblings as a single parent. No effort was spared, every need catered for. Zamzam repaid a small chunk of the sacrifices her mother has had to make last week when she signed with the Professional Fighters League – becoming the first female Emirati to join a lead MMA promotion.

Zamzam has inherited her mother Nada Al Nuaymi’s fighting spirit, herself an accomplished mixed martial artist who earned a black belt in judo and brown belt in jiu-jitsu in her youth.

Her mother's fighting genes are strong in Zamzam. Despite her past achievements, Zamzam says nothing exemplifies her mother's "warrior" soul than her ongoing battle against cancer.

“She was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and has resurfaced every now and then. It got a bit worse in January and [she] has been undergoing chemotherapy and treatment but she always makes a point to tell me to go ahead on my journey,” Zamzam told The National during a training session at a gym in Abu Dhabi.

“She consoles me by saying not to think too much about her but to go out there and win the fights that will make her feel better. I will always remember that as I prepare to fight in the cage while she fights for her life.

“My mother is a warrior and has been fighting this dreaded disease for nearly eight years. We four in the family are very close to each other and it is very hard for us because of her plight. She’s been a pillar of strength for us, looking after us until now.

“My mother has told me to take responsibility of my siblings which I definitely would because of the sacrifices she has made to educate and bring us to a level where we can look after ourselves.”

Zamzam’s journey into combat sports came earlier than most. As a young child, she would watch her mother train from the sidelines. She wanted to follow in her footsteps. At the same time, she was just taking her first steps in life.

“People don’t believe me when I tell them I started martial art sports at two and-a-half [years old]. My mother was a black belt in judo and brown belt in jiu-jitsu. I use to watch her train others and then she used to teach me since I was a baby,” she said.

That habit has caught on in her younger siblings. Ghala and Zayed are also rising stars on the UAE martial arts scene. Ghala won gold at the IMMAF World Youth Championship in 2023 and trains in both MMA and jiu-jitsu while Zayed is a member of the UAE youth jiu-jitsu national team.

It stands to reason: in mother and older sister, they have the perfect role models.

Zamzam has won many titles and competitions in jiu-jitsu, including gold medals in the JJIF World Youth Championship. She became the first Emirati female to win gold at the IMMAF Youth World Championship in 2023. She replicated her success the following year, too.

Zamzam’s skills were clear for all to see early on and noticed by many who know their way around the mat. After winning gold at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2016, Brazilian-American jiu-jitsu practitioner and UFC fighter Mackenzie Dern wandered over to watch the young Emirati in action. A clearly impressed Dern told Zamzam she was a "star in the making”.

“Those words from Mackenzie ring in my ears even now. She was watching me compete in the World Juniors and walked up to me to say that. It was awesome to hear those inspiring words from a champion,” Zamzam said.

Talks with the PFL began in December and continued on the sidelines of the inaugural Road to Dubai fight card, headlined by the lightweight title fight between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes at the Coca-Cola Arena, in January.

Last week, Zamzam made history, becoming the first female Emirati to sign with one of the world's top MMA organisations, a source of huge pride to her and her family.

“My mum, once she heard about it, she was like, 'Oh Zimzim, now it is time you create history. I made her proud. This was very important thing for me, to make my mum happy,” said Zamzam, who is undefeated in amateur MMA competitions, twice winning World Youth titles.

“She tells me not think about her, but for me, I think about her. Because if I make her proud, of course I'm going to make my country and our rulers all proud too.”

The hard work starts now for Zamzam. Though no date is set for her debut, she knows she must begin to train for a more elite level of opponent than she was previously used to. She must also balance her studies as she completes her final year of high school.

“Signing a professional contract is a commitment that I have to honour with performances. Meaning I have to spend longer hours in training but I’m sure I can manage my time doing both, my profession while completing my academics,” she said.

“I’m not sure of my first fight in the SuperCage but I have already started preparing to take on anyone at any time.

“I’m not sure when I will make my debut but I would love to have my first fight in Dubai for the home fans. I want to break barriers and want to raise my country’s flag, and above all, I want to win for my mother.

“She has never attended any of my MMA fights but I’ll insist her to be at my side as an inspiration when I make my PFL debut.”