Mohammad Yahya Vows Redemption in High-Stakes UFC Bout Against Steven Nguyen
So here’s the story—Emirati UFC fighter Mohammad Yahya is stepping into what might be the most important fight of his life, and it’s all going down in Abu Dhabi. This Saturday, he faces off against Steven Nguyen, an American striker, in a battle where both men are still chasing that elusive first UFC win. For Yahya, though, it’s more than just another fight. It’s about proving that he belongs on the world’s biggest MMA stage.
Now, Yahya’s UFC journey hasn’t exactly been smooth. He debuted in October 2023 at UFC 294, also in Abu Dhabi, but nerves and the magnitude of the moment seemed to get to him. He lost by unanimous decision. Then came his second bout in August 2024—arguably even worse. Just 30 seconds into the fight, he fractured his shin checking a kick and was finished by TKO in the first round. That kind of start could break any athlete. But for Yahya, it lit a fire.
He’s spent the past year not just recovering physically, but transforming himself as a fighter. He dropped from lightweight to featherweight, trimmed what he called "dead weight," and revamped his training. Perhaps most significantly, he brought in a new coach from the legendary Dagestani camp that produced Khabib Nurmagomedov. That move, he says, has elevated his mindset, technique, and overall game.
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This upcoming fight against Nguyen isn’t just about personal redemption—it’s also deeply tied to national pride. Yahya is the first and only Emirati in the UFC, and he’s keenly aware of what that means. He’s not just fighting for himself; he’s carrying the hopes of a country that has only recently started building a real MMA infrastructure. He remembers a time when there were no MMA gyms, no local events, nothing. Now, Abu Dhabi hosts massive UFC cards, and young Emiratis are dreaming big because of him.
He admits that the support from fans is both motivating and a little heartbreaking. After his last two losses, he received messages from kids who were devastated—not for themselves, but for him. And this time? He says he’s determined not to let them down.
As for Nguyen, Yahya isn’t underestimating him. He knows every fighter in the UFC is elite—after all, no one gets here by accident. But Yahya feels this version of himself is the best yet. He’s quicker, smarter, and finally, fully prepared.
Asked what’s next if he wins, Yahya kept it simple. No big celebration. Just a training camp in Thailand. Even on vacation, he wants to keep grinding.
He ended his interview with a quiet confidence: “I can promise to be a different athlete. A different person. A different fighter. This will be my best performance yet.” The rest, as he says, is up to God. Inshallah.
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