Ayeni Olusegun
Qatar Tribune
Training and grappling with some of the best in the mixed martial arts (MMA) business, undefeated Kuwaiti fighter Mohammad Alaqraa will have the opportunity to prove his mettle against Youcef Ouabbas in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) MENA on Friday (July 12).
Preparing out of Kislovodsk and Dagestan, Russia, at Nurmagomedov Gym, Alaqraa heads into his promotional debut in Riyadh with confidence, believing he is the future of the sport in the region.
“I’m the future of this sport for sure,” Alaqraa said in a recent interview as he prepares for the welterweight showdown.
“The hard work is almost done, and my only focus is on the game plan, the cardio, and the weight cut. I have improved my training because I know I have the best grappling in the Middle East. My striking, clinch work, and kicks have all advanced. I showed that in my last fight, and now they’ll see a different animal.”
Learning from AKA head coach Javier Mendez and training with some of the greatest fighters in MMA history, including Khabib Nurmagomedov and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Alaqraa described the experience as iron sharpening iron. He added that training with these top fighters has taught him that fighting is about knowledge and science, making the game as straightforward as possible.
“Islam and Khabib opened doors to new possibilities whenever I thought I had learned it all,” Alaqraa said. “They make me ask questions, and I wonder how I didn’t know about these situations before. They have more skills than me and are the best in the world. They’re pound-for-pound fighters who help me a lot.
“When you train with monsters, you’re going to be a monster, but when you train with sheep, you’re going to be a sheep. The more you train with good guys, the more they’ll help you improve and reach the next level. These guys I train with now, like AKA, are the best in the world. They have champions from everywhere: the past, present, and future. They helped me fix my weaknesses, improve my strengths, and sharpen my arsenal,” he explained.
With a nutritionist and dietician by his side, perhaps his most significant challenge will be overcoming the urge to break his strict diet as he prepares for Ouabbas, who he said will be a “dead man” after their fight.
“He’s done, he’s dead,” Alaqraa emphasized. “I see all my opponents in the brackets. I’m happy they’re there and happy to be part of that because I believe they’re the best in the Middle East. But I’m the best in the Middle East. Competing and fighting them and winning easily will show how good I am.” Preparing for his fight, Alaqraa called it a dream come true, reiterating his belief that he is the best in the Middle East and hopes to prove it on July 12.
“I always told myself and the people around me that I’m the best in the Middle East. Right now, I have to show that I’m the best in the world. I have to put my words into action and go to PFL MENA to dominate everyone,” he added.
Commenting on the growth of MMA in the region, Alaqraa said that while the sport isn’t at the top yet, it is on the rise. He stressed that many countries are willing to invest in the sport, which was once seen only as violent.
“Now, they see the impact the sport can have on society and the nation. Countries in the Middle East and the GCC have invested in this sport, especially in Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. I believe in the future, we will have a big presence and more people in martial arts.”
On PFL MENA, he said, “It’s going to give opportunities for fighters to shine. In the Middle East, we have talented people who want to compete. They can be good fighters, but they need a platform to shine, and I think PFL has given them this right now.”
