Mohammad Yahya makes history as first Emirati to win MMA title

Lightweight stops Algerian Yazid Choufane in second round at UAE Warriors Arabia

Mohammad Yahya celebrates after his victory in the UAE Warriors Arabia lightweight title at Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhani on Friday, September 4, 2021. Courtesy Palms Sports

Mohammad Yahya lands a high kick on Yazid Choufane. Courtesy UAE Warriors

Mohammad Yahya avoids a punch from Yazid Choufane. Courtesy UAE Warriors

Mohammad Yahya celebrates his title win. Courtesy UAE Warriors

Mohammad Yahya with Palms Sports chairman Abdulmunam Al Hashemi. Courtesy Palms Sports

Rashed Dawood on the attack against Laith Kayali. Courtesy UAE Warriors

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini takes down Egyptian Emad Arafa

Mohammad Yahya created history when he became the first Emirati fighter to win a mixed martial art title on Friday.

Yahya stopped the France-based Algerian Yazid Choufane in the second round of their lightweight contest in the UAE Warriors Arabia 4 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena.

Yahya floored Choufane with a right and then launched a barrage of punches when his opponent was on the canvas before the referee stopped the contest 4 minutes 48 seconds into the second round.

“I feel on top of the world,” Yahya said while celebrating the biggest night of his MMA career.

“I have many people to thank as I celebrate this moment. Firstly, the UAE Warriors for providing me with this opportunity, my coaches, family and my fans.

“It has been a long and hard journey but I have loved every moment of it until now. This is a moment I have been waiting for so long and this success is not only for me but my country and its people.”

The exchanges were even between the two fighters until Yahya landed a straight right to Choufane’s face that sent him crashing down. The Emirati then took advantage to quickly finish the contest.

In the other title battle, Moroccan Badreddine Diani clinched a split decision over Abdullah Al Boushehri of Kuwait for the welterweight belt.

It was a memorable night for the Emiratis as three others joined Yahya’s victory march.

Rashid Dawood won a split decision over Jordanian debutant Laith Kayali in the welterweight to stretch his unbeaten run to three.

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini outclassed Egyptian Emad Arafa in their featherweight fight in the second round with an arm triangle choke to make it two out-of-two and Abdulla Aldabal made a winning debut, ending the contest in round one with a triangle choke on Egyptian Mohamed El Leboudy.