Emirati UFC Fighter's Discipline

The first thing you notice when meeting Mohammad Yahya is his intense, focused expression. 

After a sparring session at the UFC Gym in Dubai Marina, Yahya confidently handled media interviews, seamlessly switching from Arabic to English.

For someone who has been fighting since he was 14, it was surprising to see him smile and pose with an Arabic reporter.

Yahya made history last year as the first UAE fighter in the UFC and now aims to bring joy to Emiratis at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi by winning against Brazilian Kaue Fernandes.

In an interview with City Times, Yahya discussed the sacrifices he made to reach the UFC, the world's leading platform for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Your second bout as the first Emirati in the UFC is coming up. How excited are you?

I am very excited because my last fight didn’t go as planned; I narrowly missed winning.

That still haunts me. My preparations this time have been excellent. I had a very intense training camp. It’s been over a year now, and I am ready.

I have a strong opponent, so it will be great to showcase my skills in front of my people.

How does it feel to fight on home turf?

It’s great; you get the home advantage. I have fought in these settings many times before. Kaue Fernandes is coming into my territory. I won’t let him leave with a win over me.

How many months of preparation are needed for an event like UFC Fight Night?

I never stop training. Since I turned 14, I’ve never really taken time off, except for injuries. I’d say 12 weeks of rigorous training is more than enough to be in the best shape and ready for a fight.

Youngsters dreaming of becoming elite fighters would be curious about your training schedule…

This sport requires a lot of sacrifices and lonely nights. I wake up, have breakfast, and start my first training session around 9.30 AM. I warm up and then go into wrestling or boxing and sparring.

After that, I go home, rest, eat, sleep, and then return to the gym for specific training. It’s hard work and taxing on the body.

Sometimes, you don’t want to wake up and train, but discipline is crucial at the highest level... you basically turn into a machine.

Combat sport isn’t for the faint-hearted. What attracted you to it as a young kid, and how did your parents react?

My parents were actually happy when I got into the sport because they saw positive changes in me. I became more disciplined and focused.

After seeing me win amateur fights, they knew this was what I wanted to do. They are very supportive.

I've always told them I would make it to the UFC, and now I’m here.

My last fight didn’t go well, so this upcoming fight is the biggest of my life.

I’ve made many sacrifices, like not going out with friends. At 14, while my friends were enjoying weekends, I was running and training.

Now, instead of socializing on weekends, I focus on recovery, massages, ice baths, and saunas to prepare for the next week.

Tell us about your diet.

It’s very strict. Two weeks before the fight, I need to lose 10 kilos. I eat a lot of protein and avoid sweets and chocolates, even though I love them.

Hopefully, after my win on Saturday, I can have a treat.

Any sporting background in your family?

Not really. No one in my family is into sports, not even my brother. I’m the first one to take sports seriously.

You’re also the first from the UAE to enter the UFC. What advice do you have for young Emirati fighters?

I started at 14 and always aimed for the UFC. I never gave up despite knowing it wouldn’t be easy. There would be ups and downs, but persistence is key.

I’d tell young fighters to dream big, work hard, and make the sacrifices needed. If I can do it, anyone can.

Many young fighters from the Arab region, including female fighters, are now emerging. How does it feel to see the sport you love become so popular?

It’s great to see the Arab region rising in combat sports.

Representing the UAE on such a significant platform is an honor. There are many MMA competitions for Emirati kids to participate in.

What are your goals now that you’re in the UFC and preparing for your second fight?

My immediate goal is to win this fight since my first UFC fight didn’t go as planned. I aim to knock out my opponent and deliver a strong performance.

After this fight, I want to be part of the next card in October in Abu Dhabi. I want to keep fighting back-to-back and winning.

Do you follow other sports, and do you have any heroes from different fields?

I don’t really watch other sports. Growing up, I wasn’t interested in sports. I love MMA because it’s about two people fighting in a cage, seeking glory. It’s like being a gladiator.

How do you mentally recover after a defeat, considering your first UFC loss still affects you?

Setbacks are often better than wins because winning can make you overconfident. Losing makes you hungrier, especially when it’s by a small margin.

I lost my last fight by two or three points. Now, it’s about creating a game plan to win this fight, and hopefully, I’ll get a knockout on Saturday night.

Source: khaleejtimes

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