UAE's Ilyass Habibali aims to regain golden touch at Muaythai World Championships

Emirati, who won gold in 2018, meets Enis Yunusoglu of Turkey in quarter-finals of championships in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday

The UAE's Ilyass Habibali at the IFMA Muaythai World Championships at Adnec in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ilyass Habibali won gold at the 2018 World Championship in Mexico when the UAE made their debut. Courtesy UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation

The UAE's Ilyass Habibali at the IFMA Muaythai World Championships in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ilyas Habibali is flanked by Stephen Fox, vice president of the World Muaythai Council, and Abdullah Al Neyadi, president of the UAE Muaythai and Kickboxing Federation. Courtesy UAM

Ilyass Habibali lands a flying-knee on Haroun Baka en route to victory in the inaugural K-1 Combat at Festival Arena in Dubai on Friday. Courtesy UAE Muaythai and Kickboxing Federation

Ilyas Habibali, right, is looking to replicate the success he enjoyed at the start of his career. Courtesy UAE Muaythai and Kickboxing Federation

The UAE's Ilyass Habibali is hoping to replicate the success he enjoyed at the beginning of his career as he aims for glory at the Muaythai World Championships.

Habibali stunned the martial arts world when he won gold at the 2018 IFMA World Championships in Mexico, where the UAE was making its debut at the top level.

Since then, the Emirati has appeared twice in the World Championships – in 2019 and 2021 in Bangkok – but hasn’t been able to replicate his gold medal-winning performance.

Habibali, 30, believes that all could change this time at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

After getting the better of his first opponent, Veejaye Agathe of Mauritius, by unanimous decision, he is confident of going all the way in the 81kg light heavyweight division in front of home fans.

“Competing in familiar surroundings as the host nation, I feel I’m going into this world championships in the best possible physical shape and mindset,” Habibali, who faces Enis Yunusoglu of Turkey in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, told The National.

“I have had three successful outings in the lead-up and trained hard over the last two months for this World Championships.

“I have cleared my first hurdle, the first fight is never easy. It was like a final for me. To get that behind me was a relief ... to get over the nerves. My focus now is on the second opponent.”

Habibali took part in three fights in the lead-up to the World Championships. He won the World Muaythai Council (WMC) intercontinental light heavyweight belt, defeating Spaniard Angel Marquez, at Muaythai Pro 6 Championships in Dubai in June 2021 to earn a ticket to the World Games in the US, which will take place from July 7-17 this year.

His victory over Marquez was followed by wins over Haroun Baka in the K-1 Combat, also in Dubai in July last year, and American Aaron Ortiz during the Super Four at Expo 2020 Dubai in February.

“They were one-off contests, unlike the World Championships in which you need to go through a few fights in a very short period of time. But nevertheless, the preparations were all the same,” Habibali, who also won gold at the 2019 IFMA Asian Championships in Abu Dhabi, said.

“These competitions have kept me in good shape. So, yes, I feel I’m in the best shape to aim for gold at this championships.”

Hosts the UAE have the biggest contingent with 18 participants, including four women for the first time ever in the World Youths (U23), which run in parallel to the senior event.

“Muaythai is spreading like wildfire in the UAE and across the region,” Habibali added.

“The support we have received from our federation has been amazing. We now have kids and youth squads for both males and females, aside from the senior squad.

“That’s very encouraging and brings more competitiveness among the country’s youth. We have a very strong squad entered in both the seniors and youth in this world championship.

“The objective is for everyone to reach the medal rounds. All our fighters so far have won their opening contests in the first two days of the competition.

“They are all confident and hungry for medals, and I would like to think that all of them could reach the medal rounds and bring success to this amazing nation.”