Saudi Arabian fighter Eithar Hayyan is set to make her amateur mixed martial arts debut at the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) MENA semifinals in Riyadh, making her only the second Saudi woman to compete in the league.
The decorated Taekwondo fighter will face Egypt’s Marwa “Bad Kitty” Abdelmonem in an amateur women’s strawweight showcase bout scheduled for September 27 at The Arena in Riyadh.
Hayyan’s debut will follow in the footsteps of Hattan Alsaif, who fought in the PFL last year.
Hayyan has long been recognized as one of the Kingdom’s top martial arts athletes.
She has represented Saudi Arabia in international Taekwondo competitions and captured gold in the 49-kg division at the 2024 Saudi Games in Riyadh.
“The road to the PFL has been carved through sacrifice, pain, and relentless discipline,” Hayyan said in a statement shared with Al Arabiya English.
“Life’s hardships shaped me into a fighter who refuses to surrender, and now I rise – ready to step into the cage on September 27, not just to compete, but to begin a new chapter,” she added.
PFL MENA semifinals lineup
The Riyadh event will also showcase semifinal bouts in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions, with winners advancing one step closer to PFL MENA championship gold.
The event will be streamed live on Starzplay across the MENA region and on the PFL app in the United States.
