MMA – BAHRAIN’S mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Hamza Kooheji is preparing for his debut appearance in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Mena.
Kooheji will be competing in the featherweight tournament of PFL Mena 9, which gets underway on May 24 in Dubai under the banner ‘Pride of Arabia’.
Kooheji will first be facing Moroccan Taha Bendaoud in the quarter-final stage of their competition, which features prominent Arab MMA athletes in their weight class. The ensuing rounds are slated for later in the year.
Kooheji is considered as one of the most prominent fighters in the kingdom and across the Arab world, and he enters the championship following a series of high-profile participations and combat sports experiences on the international and regional stages, in addition to his prominent role as a member of KHK MMA team – one of the most prominent MMA outfits in the region.
Kooheji emphasised that participating in an event of the stature of PFL Mena represents an important step in his professional career, and highlighted his enthusiasm to enter the cage against an elite group of the best fighters from the region.
“Representing Bahrain in PFL Mena is a great honour for me and for every Bahraini,” he said. “My goal is to showcase the level of the Bahraini fighter and our ability to compete and achieve victories against the best in the Arab world.”
Kooheji has been gearing up for the event with a training camp that has been different from his previous preparations, as he decided to spend the entire period inside the kingdom alongside Bahraini fighters.
“This time, I focused more on recovery, rest, and body care, because the balance between hard work and recovery is what makes a complete fighter,” he explained.
Kooheji praised KHK MMA team, which he said has played a major role in developing his level and refining his experience.
“KHK MMA has proven itself on the world stage through numerous international championships,” he said. “What distinguishes the team is its mentality, discipline, and professionalism – everyone pushes each other to improve every day.”
Regarding his opponent, Kooheji affirmed his complete respect for Bendaoud’s capabilities, especially with his ground game and jiu-jitsu.
“I am ready for any scenario inside the cage, whether the fight is standing or on the ground, and I am confident in my style and the work I have done during the preparation period,” said Kooheji.
Other competitors in the featherweight tournament of PFL Mena 9 are Mohammed Yahya from the UAE, Elias Boudegzdame from Algeria, Ahmed Tarek from Egypt, Mehdi Saadi from Tunisia, Rachid El Hazoume from Morocco, and Hussein Saleem from Iraq.
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