Tarek Suleiman says it was fate that led him to mixed martial arts. And so it has proven as he completes eight years in the sport.
Born to a Lebanese mother and Syrian father, Suleiman is the oldest of three siblings. He was in his final year of university when war broke out in Syria.
"It became tough for my parents to support me with my university fees and other expenses," Suleiman, who features in the main fight on Friday's UAE Warriors 11 card at the Mubadala Arena, told The National.
“I had to find another source of income to support myself. I earned through part-time work and one of them was MMA.
"I was asked if I would be interested to fight in Cage Warriors 3 in Lebanon in 2012 and I accepted it.”
Suleiman meets Brazilian Juscelino Ferreira in the catchweight 90kg category – the main draw in the 10-fight card of the UAE Warriors 11 that will be held behind closed doors and telecast live on Abu Dhabi Sports.
“It’s a new experience for me and I believe for others as well,” Suleiman said of their preparation in isolation for the event.
Suleiman is undefeated in two UAE Warriors appearances. He stopped UFC veteran Englishman Oli Thompson in the second round of the light heavyweight title fight in May 2019 and scored a similar victory over Steven Kennedy of Australia in November.
“I feel good coming out of the lockdown and then training in isolation,” Suleiman said of his two-week preparation in Abu Dhabi.
“I did what I can do with what was available. I trained hard with the limited resources available. Even finding a training partner wasn’t possible. The preparations were very challenging.
“I’m seeing my opponent for the first time since we made our UAE Warriors debuts in May 2019. I’m here to do my own thing and it doesn’t matter to me what my opponent does. I’m here to put up a good show.”
Suleiman, who began his MMA career with two amateur victories, holds a 9-6 record as a professional.
He also holds a double degree in Agricultural Engineering and Business Management from the American University of Beirut.
“Living in Lebanon when the war broke out became hard for me,” he said. “After my first MMA fight, I was offered a second in the Cage Warriors 5 in Jordan two months later with double the appearance money.
“I won that too and then the CEO of Desert Force approached me with a good contract. That was how I got into MMA full-time."
Suleiman travelled a lot while growing up and spent a few years in England where he attended school. He returned to Syria in 2006 before moving to Lebanon for his university education two years later. But sports always remained a part of his life.
“My father put me in swimming class but we had outdoor pools and the water got too cold for swimming during the winter,” he said.
“He then allowed me to go with my friends for boxing classes. So I did boxing in the winter and swimming in the summer. I liked boxing because of the competition and atmosphere.
“When I moved to Lebanon for my university education I got into body-building and weight-lifting, and that’s the time one of my friend’s invited me to try kickboxing.”
After completing his education, Suleiman found it hard to lead a decent life without a regular income in Lebanon.
“After I received the contract from Desert Force I decided to move to Thailand,” Suleiman, who is also a black belt in jiu-jitsu, said.
“I have been living in Thailand since 2013. I work there as a muay thai and jiu-jitsu instructor. I made my base there to train as well as work, plus make and save some money.”
Suleiman says tries to lend a voice to the suffering of the Syrian people.
“When I win, I make it a point that the world hears about the suffering of the ordinary Syrian people because of the war and sanctions.
“I have always raised my voice for my people. A majority of them back home are suffering. They can’t think of doing anything else apart from how to find their next meal.
“My parents and sister are back in Syria where the situation isn’t good. My brother is studying for a PhD in India. Mentally, I’m shattered whenever I think of my family.”
Suleiman has a huge following among his compatriots in the UAE but this time he will not have them behind him.
“My motivation and goals are not just the fans,” he said. “Of course, if fans are present, they spice things up on the fight days.
“I know my fans will be watching on television or on YouTube. They are active on social media. However, my motivation is to go out there and win for my people.”
