Fighting in my hometown Dubai is a dream come true, says Hadi ahead of PFL bout

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini bore the weight of childhood insecurities.

Growing up, he was an overweight child and was often mocked in school, which left him shrouded in self-doubt with no clear direction or passion to colour his world.

In 2010, the Dubai-based Emirati’s life took a 360-degree turn when he enrolled at the UAE University in Al Ain and stumbled upon a world of sports and martial arts.

Hadi’s journey into sports began humbly but passionately at Al Ain Club, where he first embraced wrestling. What started for him as a newfound interest quickly blossomed into a deep love for martial arts.

The discipline and challenges of wrestling sparked a fire, propelling him to explore other combat sports like jiu-jitsu and boxing.

In jiu-jitsu, Hadi found a calling that resonated deeply with his spirit. The mats became a stage for his determination and grit, and his dedication soon saw him competing on an international scale.

From bustling arenas, Hadi represented his craft with pride and tenacity, earning accolades across borders. Over the course, the rising UAE fighter’s relentless pursuit of excellence bore remarkable fruit — he claimed more than 50 medals.

While balancing the demands of sports and academics, Hadi graduated with a degree in Business Management and gained over seven years of professional experience in various industries.

Even with the responsibilities of a full-time job, Hadi’s unwavering passion for training and competing never faltered.

Fuelled by an insatiable drive to deepen his connection to the world of athletics, Hadi embarked on a new academic chapter — a master’s degree in sports management.

Fast forward, a life-changing opportunity arrived as the Emirati received an invitation from UAE Warriors to compete in a professional MMA event in 2021. Stepping into the ring, Hadi embraced the challenge and competed in two bouts that ignited a fire within him like never before.

The experience was a turning point. Driven by an unrelenting desire to chase his dream, Hadi made a bold decision — he left the security of his job to dedicate himself entirely to his passion.

“Following two competitive bouts with UAE Warriors, I made the pivotal decision to resign from my job and dedicate myself fully to pursuing my dream. To elevate my skills and reach the highest level of performance, I relocated to California to train at the renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA).

“Widely regarded as one of the top gyms in the world, AKA provided me with the opportunity to train under world-class coaches and refine my abilities alongside elite athletes,” he added.

Hadi’s hard work paid rich dividends as he stands as the sole Emirati competitor on the highly anticipated 12-fight card of the inaugural Professional Fighters League Road to Dubai Champions Series.

The much-anticipated event is set to take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday, with the spotlight on the world title showdown between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes.

The event is organised by the PFL in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council.

“Since then, I’ve represented the UAE in seven professional MMA fights, leading to signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), one of the world’s premier MMA organisations. Now, I have the honour of fighting in my home city on Saturday,” Hadi said. Hadi will square off against Ruel Panales of the Philippines.

The UAE fighter was undefeated in his first six fights. He won five bouts in the UAE Warriors and one at the Middle East Fight Championship before suffering defeat in the PFL Mena 2 in Riyadh last year.

“Fighting in a major promotion like PFL, in my hometown of Dubai, is a dream come true. It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase my skills on a global stage while representing my country in front of my home crowd.

“This fight is not just about personal achievement; it’s about inspiring others in my community to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles they face,” Hadi signed off.