Kurdish MMA fighter to compete in three-day national tournament

TENNESSEE, United States (Kurdistan24) – A Kurdish Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter will compete in the three-day UMMAF National Championship starting on Friday.

Ahva Abdurrahman, 18, defeated opponent Ben Brown last month to qualify for the championship hosted by Valor Fights.

The United States Mixed Martial Arts Federation (UMMAF) tournament begins on May 26 where top amateur prospects around the country will compete for a chance to represent Team USA abroad.

Speaking to Kurdistan24, Abdurrahman said he modified his training regime to prepare for the challenging tournament.

The Kurdish MMA fighter explained that his training sessions were “harder and more intense…to mimic the grueling three-day span of the tournament.”

The young prospect holds an amateur record of four wins and one loss, and victory in the tournament is vital for his promising career.

Despite the pressure, the Kurdish teenager said he welcomed the challenge and was ready to show his potential.

“I feel no pressure, but I’m going to be the one applying the pressure,” a confident Abdurrahman told Kurdistan24. “I’m ready to perform and take it to the next level.”

Kurds in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, as well as around the world are beginning to notice the talented fighter.

“I’m gaining exposure, and I expect to gain even more,” he said.

While confident in his skills, Abdurrahman reminded fans he was grateful for their support.

“Thank you all for the support,” he said. “We’re about to do it again!”

Abdurrahman was born in Nashville after his parents moved to the US in the early 1990s from Dohuk Province in the Kurdistan Region.

Editing by G. H. Renaud