Training in a cage ring at Champs Sports Club in Dubai.
Mohammad Yahya is the first Emirati mixed martial arts champion. He defends his title at UAE Warriors Arabia on Sunday at the Etihad Arena. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
'My favourite training is pad work, which is when I practise my striking.'
Yahya won five of his first six MMA fights.
Mohammad Yahya won the lightweight title by beating Algerian Yazid Chouchane in September.
A quick rest after the pad work with MMA coach Khusan Majlimov.
'Leading up to a fight my diet is very healthy.'
Yahya says his pre-fight diet 'consists of a lot of vegetables and green proteins'.
The fighter says his diet will 'include carbohydrates, depending on how much I am weighing.
'Using the sledgehammer helps get more power to my punches, as well as my core.'
'The battle ropes help build my endurance.'
Mohammad Yahya training at Champs Sports Club in Dubai, with MMA coach and fighter Ibrahim Elnagashy.
'The week before a fight is for recovering.'
During that final lead-up to the fight 'my preparations are massage and stretching', Yaha says.
Training in a cage ring at Champs Sports Club in Dubai.
Mohammad Yahya is the first Emirati mixed martial arts champion. He defends his title at UAE Warriors Arabia on Sunday at the Etihad Arena. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
'My favourite training is pad work, which is when I practise my striking.'
Yahya won five of his first six MMA fights.
Mohammad Yahya won the lightweight title by beating Algerian Yazid Chouchane in September.
A quick rest after the pad work with MMA coach Khusan Majlimov.
'Leading up to a fight my diet is very healthy.'
Yahya says his pre-fight diet 'consists of a lot of vegetables and green proteins'.
The fighter says his diet will 'include carbohydrates, depending on how much I am weighing.
'Using the sledgehammer helps get more power to my punches, as well as my core.'
'The battle ropes help build my endurance.'
Mohammad Yahya training at Champs Sports Club in Dubai, with MMA coach and fighter Ibrahim Elnagashy.
'The week before a fight is for recovering.'
During that final lead-up to the fight 'my preparations are massage and stretching', Yaha says.
Training in a cage ring at Champs Sports Club in Dubai.
Mohammad Yahya the first Emirati MMA champion – in pictures
