Kurdish MMA fighter remains undefeated

A Kurdish Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter extended his unbeaten run on Saturday after defeating his opponent by majority decision.

MEMPHIS, United States (Kurdistan24) – A Kurdish Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter extended his unbeaten run on Saturday after defeating his opponent by majority decision.

Ahva Abdurrahman, an 18-year-old teenager from Nashville, Tennessee, United States, defeated his opponent AJ Cunningham after three rounds at the V3 Fights event.

Following his debut victory on June 25, Abdurrahman told Kurdistan24 that he prepared differently for this fight.

“My team and I watched a lot of tape on my opponent and trained specifically for his style and body type,” he said.

The Kurdish teenager stated that the fight was a “huge step in competition” compared to his previous challenge.

Abdurrahman explained that Cunningham held a 7-1 record coming into the contest compared to Leo Woods, whom he fought in June, with a 1-0 record.

“My biggest challenge during the fight was his overall size advantage,” Abdurrahman told Kurdistan24.

“He was stronger, taller, and had a longer reach than me,” he added.

Despite all of these challenges, Abdurrahman said he was confident going into the fight and embraced the challenge.

“I did feel some pressure for this fight, but nothing I could not handle,” he said. “Pressure makes diamonds.”

Additionally, the Kurdish MMA fighter said he was humbled by the support he received from the Kurdish community in Nashville.

“It can’t be put into words how humbling it is to have so many people wish me luck before and congratulate me after my fights,” he added.

Abdurrahman was born in Nashville after his parents moved to the United States from Duhok in the Kurdistan Region in the early 90s.

Regarding his next venture, the teenager says this victory puts him in contention for a title fight.

However, he hopes his next opponent is in his bantamweight class (135lbs) considering his last two opponents were taller and heavier than him.

Though, Abdurrahman says his next fight won’t be until “sometime in the future.”

“As for right now, I’m gonna eat about 20 donuts and sip on some chai,” he smiled.

 

Editing by Ava Homa

Ahva Abdurrahman sits with the flag of Kurdistan draped on his lap after his victory at the V3 Fights event in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, Aug. 6, 2016. (Photo: Ahva Abdurahman)
Ahva Abdurrahman sits with the flag of Kurdistan draped on his lap after his victory at the V3 Fights event in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, Aug. 6, 2016. (Photo: Ahva Abdurahman)