Debut victory for Kurdish MMA fighter

A Kurdish teenager from Nashville, Tennessee, recorded his first victory on his amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut on Saturday.

NASHVILLE, United States (Kurdistan24) – A Kurdish teenager from Nashville, Tennessee, recorded his first victory on his amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut on Saturday.

Ahva Abdurrahman, 18-years-old, was born in Nashville after his parents moved to the United States in the early 90s from Duhok, Kurdistan Region.

The fight, organized by Valor Fights, was scheduled for three three-minute rounds but ended in the first through a submission.

Abdurrahman recovered from an early shake-up and forced his opponent to tap after catching him in a rear-naked choke after 2:13 of the first round.

The Featherweight fighter said he was confident going into the fight but “felt some of the pressure during the warm-ups.”

“I was not super nervous during the fight,” he said. “I had some debut jitters, but at no point did I doubt my ability. I believed I was going to win.”

There was some tension between Abdurrahman and his opponent, Leo Woods, during the official weigh-ins a day before the fight.

Abdurrahman said that the two were messaging back and forth on Facebook, but he wished the argument only “entertained” viewers before the fight.

“Too many fighters are dull and have no personality. I want everyone to expect a show when I fight,” he said.

After the bout, the two shook hands and demonstrated respect. Abdurrahman revealed that Woods congratulated him on the win.

“He told me that I had some hard leg kicks and that we had a good fight,” the teenager told Kurdistan24.

“I had no negative emotions towards him before or after the fight. Hats off to [Woods] for a great fight,” he added.

Abdurrahman expressed his gratitude to everyone for their support and said he was “humbled” by the experience.

He also discussed his future after his victory on Saturday and said he wants to conquer the entire division.

“We have a few things in mind, but nothing set yet. I’m planning to take all of the Featherweight belts in the state,” he concluded.

 

Editing by Ava Homa

Ahva Abdurrahman walks out before his fight against Leo Woods, Tennessee, United States, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Photo: Valor Fights)
Ahva Abdurrahman walks out before his fight against Leo Woods, Tennessee, United States, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Photo: Valor Fights)
Ahva Abdurrahman during his fight against Leo Woods, Tennessee, United States, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Photo: Valor Fights)
Ahva Abdurrahman during his fight against Leo Woods, Tennessee, United States, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Photo: Valor Fights)
Ahva Abdurrahman during his fight against Leo Woods, Tennessee, United States, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Photo: Valor Fights)
Ahva Abdurrahman during his fight against Leo Woods, Tennessee, United States, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Photo: Valor Fights)
Ahva Abdurrahman during his fight against Leo Woods, Tennessee, United States, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Photo: Valor Fights)
Ahva Abdurrahman during his fight against Leo Woods, Tennessee, United States, Saturday, June 25, 2016. (Photo: Valor Fights)