Hattan Alsaif has signed with the PFL, becoming the first women in history from the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia to sign with a global MMA promotion.
The historic signing comes just weeks after PFL announced their mammoth PFL vs Bellator CHAMPS card, set for part of the Riyadh Season, which will feature a host of current and former PFL and Bellator champions & prospects, as well as Alfaif’s team mate, Abdullah Al-Qahtani.
Although yet to compete in mixed martial arts, Alsaif is no stranger to combat sports. The 22-year-old claimed gold at the 2023 International Federation of Muay Thai Associations World Championships whilst simultaneously being crowned the ‘Breakthrough Female Athlete’ at the same event. In an extremely successful year for Alsaif, she also took first place at the Saudi Games and the World Combat Games.
Alsaif becomes the latest signing to join the PFL, looking to compete in PFL MENA, the promotion's second regional league outside of the United States.
Alsaif is now one of several stars that’ve made the move from a different combat sport discipline to join the PFL and pursue an MMA journey. Discussing the signing, President of Fighter Operations of PFL Ray Sefo said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Hattan Alsaif, a truly groundbreaking athlete to the PFL.”
“In collaboration with our partner, SRJ Sports, PFL is dedicated to discovering exceptional fighters like Alsaif and championing the cause of women in MMA in the region. Our goal is to provide them with a global platform to showcase their skill sets.”
Along with the announcement, Alsaif expressed her gratitude at such an opportunity. She said: "Receiving a contract from the PFL is a dream come true."
"Being the first Saudi Women to be signed with PFL is a true honour. I won't take this lightly, and I will do the best to represent my country. I hope to inspire all of the female fighters out there.
“Being with PFL means competing at the highest level and platform. Finally I will be thankful to my god, my coach, my team and for sure, I am thankful to the PFL for giving me this great opportunity!”
The exclusive, multi-fight deal will see Alsaif learn her craft on the amateur scene with PFL and although there is no date set in stone for her amateur debut, all parties involved are hoping she will make the walk to the Smart Cage before 2024 is out.
