Kurdish MMA fighter: Support from Kurds ‘humbling’

NASHVILLE, United States (Kurdistan24) – After his latest victory on Feb. 11, a Kurdish Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter said the support from the Kurdish community was “humbling.”

Ahva Abdurrahman, 18, competed in his fourth amateur fight this past weekend at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Sports Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Kurdish teenager said he was pleased with the backing from Kurds around the world, and particularly in Nashville, his hometown.

“I have noticed the support, and I’m grateful for it,” he told Kurdistan24.

Abdurrahman defeated opponent Tyrell “Ace” Hill after a split decision following all three rounds of the Bantamweight (135 lbs) bout.

The Kurdish fighter was able to bounce back after a narrow defeat in his previous fight.

He told Kurdistan24 he had prepared for Saturday’s fight by focusing on his abilities.

“[The defeat] taught me to focus on myself more than anything,” Abdurrahman said.

“Instead of worrying about what my opponent was going to do, I just focused on myself,” he added.

The victory on Saturday took his amateur MMA record to 3-1-0.

The Kurdish teenager revealed his desire to “make a run at a national title,” something he was on the verge of in his narrow defeat.

Moreover, Abdurrahman said he was aiming to take his career to the professional level and compete in the UFC one day.

“The UFC is the ultimate goal, but I still have a few years until then,” he stated.

“I’m just going to keep [collecting] wins until I’m ready to turn pro and take my career to the next level,” Abdurrahman explained.

The teenager was optimistic of the future of Kurds in the sport, particularly the younger generation.

“There is a new wave of talented Kurdish fighters coming up,” he said. “We’re the next generation.”

Editing by Ava Homa