Hadi Omar Al Hussaini left behind a comfortable managerial position and a decent income in a leading business conglomerate in Dubai to pursue his passion as a full-time MMA fighter.
A late starter in the sport at the ripe old age of 30, little did he realise how tough that journey was going to be, particularly in raising funds for his training camps and other expenses as a professional athlete.
His friends and colleagues were surprised when he told them that he was quitting his job to pursue his MMA dreams. Some even laughed.
“Fortunately for me, my entire family stood behind me in support. If not for them, I wouldn’t have continued chasing my dream,” Al Hussaini, now 33, told The National of his struggles in changing careers.
“To be honest, my biggest support is my family. My father, my uncles, my cousins. If not for them, I wouldn't be doing this. As an athlete, it's very tough to go and prepare for a professional fight.
“Most people think [because] I’m an Emirati I have a golden spoon in my mouth. That’s not actually the case.
“I had a very hard time to get any kind of support, especially when you have a big cost to prepare for a fight, pay for a camp. I told everyone I had this dream, but they all closed the door on me. Nobody believed in me, only my family."
Al Hussaini is the only Emirati on the 12-fight card of the inaugural PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series, headlined by the world title contest between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes, at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday.
Flyweight Al Hussaini (5-1-1) takes on Ruel Panales of the Philippines (6-2), who returns to action after a defeat in the Road to UFC Season 3 semi-finals in Las Vegas last August.
“I want to win this for my family because they did everything for me to be able to go and train with some of the best coaches in a camp in California,” Al Hussaini said.
Al Hussaini was undefeated in his first six fights, recording five wins and a draw in the UAE Warriors and the Middle East Fight Championship before suffering his first defeat in the PFL Mena 2 in Riyadh last July.
“This fight in Dubai is going to be different for me," he said. "First, fighting in the PFL is an honour as it is one of the biggest promotions in the world. And fighting in my city in front of my people, in Dubai, where I was born and raised.
“For me, this is the most important fight in my life. A very big opportunity. I'm the only local fighting in this event. It's just going to be huge for me. This means a lot.
“It’s just a proud moment for me to be able to raise my nation’s flag and represent my country in a very big stage that's considered one of the biggest MMA cards in the history of Dubai.”
Al Hussaini believes a victory for him would open many doors to continue his journey as a professional fighter.
“I want to do this for what I love, my passion and hopefully this can be the turning point to open several doors for sponsorships and contracts, and to continue my journey,” he added.
Al Hussaini had been training in various sports, mainly for fitness, and dabbled in martial arts like jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing and MMA. He was offered a fight at the UAE Warriors in June 2021, a journey he has continued.
“The UAE Warriors called me to try a professional fight, and I did it. I loved it. I quit my job and did it. So, it's just something I fell in love with, and I kept doing it.
“PFL approached me after my sixth career fight as they wanted an Emirati fighter and took my signature for Mena 2 and included me for the Road to Dubai Champions Series.
“I want to remain in this promotion and obviously want a good result. It’s going to be a close fight with Ruel. I am ready for a stand-up game and a ground game. I am ready for 15 minutes of work. Hopefully, everything goes as planned and we get the victory.”
Al Hussaini said the PFL putting on a show in Dubai is "huge" and that the region can become the "Las Vegas of MMA".
Everyone wants to fight here," he added. "Every fighter now dreams to fight in Abu Dhabi or Dubai or Saudi Arabia.
“All the big names in combat sports want to fight here and the big opportunities are in this region. It's going to be big and hopefully I'm going to write history and build my legacy starting 25th of January.”
