Palestinian American Ramsey Nijem says he is honoured to be competing on Arab soil when the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Abu Dhabi this Friday.
Nijem, 26, faces Iran’s Beneil Dariush as the UFC Fight Night main card gets under way at du Arena with an all-Middle East lightweight contest.
The California-born competitor is proud of his Palestinian heritage and is eager to take on a bout in the UAE this weekend.
“It’s really important to be competing,” he said. “It’s definitely good to be representing my people. “I was a little bit nervous to do this but now I feel confident about my skill set. And I am excited to be here fighting in the Middle East.”
Nijem has endured a mixed start to his professional career, claiming nine wins at the cost of four momentum- sapping defeats. His most recent bout, however, saw him claim an unanimous decision in January against former welterweight Justin Edwards.
He faces a fearsome opponent on Yas Island, with Dariush boasting a flawless 7-0 record in mixed martial arts. His burgeonining reputation has been enhanced by the fact those victories have included a well rounded two knockouts or technical knockouts, four submissions and one decision.
Dariush’s fearsome skills have been honed in the United States since moving there as a child from Goetapeh. But like Nijem, he places great significance in UFC holding an event in the region.
The 24 year old said: “It is amazing to be here. My hometown is two hours flight away in Iran.
“I have not even fought yet, but if I got another chance to fight here I would jump on it.
“I used to come out to the Middle East every summer. But in Iran there is a draft for military service, and I have since been unable to come out.
“It has been eight years since I was last in the region. “Back then, nobody out here knew what grappling was, or UFC. Now people from Iran talk to me about it for hours on Facebook.”
Dariush comes into the weekend meeting as the red-hot favourite and he was positive about his chances of success.
“I am feeling very confident,” he said. “I feel like I will win, for sure. “It is another step forward. For me, to get to the UFC was such a big deal, I worked so hard for it.
“To get here is something even bigger, as to stay in UFC is harder than getting in it.”