ONE of Bahrain’s mixed martial arts’ brightest prospects flyweight Hussain Ayyad takes on Jason Vergara of the Philippines at ‘Brave 22: Storm of Warriors’ today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.
Ayyad is used to fighting at home and is coming off a win over Mohammed Abo Ali at Brave 18 in Manama.
However, it will be a altogether different environment and task tonight when he faces Vergara in the “opponent’s territory”.
But Ayyad was unfazed yesterday at the prospect of having to fight against the crowd’s favourite in his own backyard.
“Personally, the challenge of fighting an opponent in front of his own fans makes me give a stronger push to win,” said Ayyad.
“I shouldn’t let the crowd affect me. I think it’s the opposite. I think it affects him. When I catch him with something, I’m sure his fans will blame him, and not me,” he said recently in an interview with Bahrain TV. “Iron” Ayyad admits he’s much more worried about the game plan and his preparations than his opponent’s fans.
Opportunity
For Ayyad, the opportunity to represent Bahrain on Filipino soil is a responsibility, one that he takes seriously.
“I always research my opponents and it wasn’t different with Jason Vergara.
“However, I couldn’t find enough videos on him, but from what I saw, I feel he trusts his striking game and uses a lot of his muay thai skills,” said Ayyad.
Ayyad’s fight today can be watched live at Abu Dhabi Sports in the MENA region.