UAE’s Hadi Omar Al Hussaini aims to become a ‘role model for our youth’ after historic PFL victory in Dubai

Flyweight fighter becomes first Emirati to win in MMA promotion after emphatic defeat of Ruel Panales

UAE's Hadi Omar Al Hussaini after defeating Ruel Panales in their flyweight contest during the PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series at the Coca Cola Arena. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini defeated Ruel Panales by unanimous decision at the Coca Cola Arena

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini became the first Emirati to win in the PFL

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini started his MMA career late in life, having spent much of his time in the corporate world

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini pins Ruel Panales to the mat at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini defeated Ruel Panales in their flyweight contest at the PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini is “on top of the world” after fulfilling his dream on the biggest stage of his MMA career.

The Emirati celebrated a unanimous decision over Ruel Panales of the Philippines in a flyweight contest in front of his family and fans during the inaugural PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series at the Coca-Cola Arena over the weekend.

The euphoria that followed was not surprising for a man who left a comfortable managerial position to become a professional fighter at the age of 30.

Three years down the line, he has become the first Emirati to win a contest in PFL, creating history during an event that was headlined by the world lightweight title contest between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes.

“It’s a night that I’ll cherish forever. I wanted to put up a show in front of my family and fans in Dubai where I was born and grew up, and to achieve that was a great accomplishment,” Al Hussaini told The National.

“Everything went to plan and I’m so happy to be a winner in the biggest fight in my life. I believe what’s ahead for me is Allah’s wish but I feel on top of the world right now.

“I began a journey leaving a position where I could have been very comfortable, to follow my passion. I have no regrets that I moved on despite many people doubting my abilities.

“Nothing can be better than what I have achieved in one night. The chanting of the fans, screaming 'Hadi, Hadi, Hadi' is still ringing in my head.

“When I walked out from the Arena, fans and kids surrounded me and everyone posed for a photo with me. I can re-live this moment every day in my life. It was awesome.”

Aside from his family members, also present at the cage-side was Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, who sat at Al Husseini’s corner for the entire three rounds of the contest.

“I was surprised to see him right in front of me when I had Ruel pinned on to the canvas. His presence gave me an extra boost. I just couldn’t feel better inside the cage,” Al Hussaini added.

Al Hussaini is content with what he has already achieved and wants to continue fighting as long as possible.

“This is for Allah to decide,” he said when asked about his future as a pro fighter.

“If Allah has written for me to continue with my passion, things can change. But I’m a very simple person and I’m not doing this for an earning. Alhamdulillah, I’m content with what I have and I know I’ll not starve.

“I want to bring honour and a name for my country. I want to leave a legacy of an athlete and become a role model for our youth.”

Al Hussaini, who is a coach and mentor of students at MindBase Education, a family business who are also his sponsor along with American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), has a contract with PFL and hopes to appear in one or two fight cards until the year end.

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“I have come out of this fight unhurt and ready for a call up anytime in the next two or three months,” he explained.

“This is a hard sport and usually a fighter would go through two to three fights per year, if coming out without any injuries from each contest. I would be looking for a similar number but then I have to wait for the promotion’s proposal.

“Right now, I’ll take a short break and then back in the gym. The PFL is not a one-time card in Dubai, I presume.

“I’m not sure of their schedule for the year but hopefully they’ll return to Dubai or stage a couple of events in the region. I’ll be ready for any call-up in the coming months.”

Al Hussaini went all out in the opening round. He had the Filipino challenger pinned to the canvas and delivered elbow blows to his head and face to take that round.

“The plan was to go on the offensive for a stoppage in the first round. I thought the referee would stop when he sees the damage I did to Ruel but he didn’t see it that way and carried on,” Al Hussaini said.

“I knew I had the first round and went into the next more relaxed and tried to finish him off in the third round, but he survived. But I knew I had done enough for the win.”