Conor McGregor and Jon Jones inspired Hattan Alsaif; the record-breaking first female MMA fighter from Saudi Arabia

Hattan Alsaif has big shoes to fill in her plot for MMA stardom after a blistering start to her amateur career.

The Saudi Arabian star has started her career in the PFL with two wins, having transitioned from a world championship career in Muay Thai. And she wants to emulate some of the brightest stars in the game as she chases gold in the cage.

Alsaif has already established herself as a big name in her native Saudi Arabia, gracing magazine covers and having more than 102,000 followers on social media. And her star will rise even further when she opens the show at Friday night's PFL Championship event.

Hattan Alsaif was inspired by UFC legends for his MMA journey

Ahead of her third outing under the PFL banner, Hattan Alsaif told Bloody Elbow how she was inspired to make the transition to MMA by watching some legends compete. She compares herself to Conor McGregor and is also a big fan of Jon Jones.

“Not being able to fight at the last event made me hungry for the future and I'm really excited about this event,” she explained. “I feel sharp, wild and aggressive, everything is good Inshallah.

“This is my first year in MMA and I'm glad I started in the sport because my transition from Muay Thai was really something. But I was really proud and happy that I could do this.

“Conor McGregor is my favorite fighter, but I have more than one favorite fighter in MMA. I have a few fighters that are my favorite because I like to punch and I see Conor McGregor punching being the best.

“Abdullah Al-Qahtani is also the best, and Jon Jones, did you see his kickback against Stipe Miocic the other day? Amazing. So I really like a few fighters.

Hattan Alsaif motivated to grow MMA in Saudi Arabia with star-making fights

In her short career so far, Alsaif has already broken records with her victories. On her debut in February, she recorded the fastest win in PFL MENA history by 41 seconds, earning her a Guinness World Record.

And she is keen to help MMA grow in the region, where boxing has become a stronghold alongside football in recent years. “What motivates me to perform at a level worthy of this occasion is competing on home soil and in front of my Saudi fans,” she said during a promotional video.

“Who comes from all over the Kingdom to cheer me on as the first Saudi woman to participate in a global event within the PFL season. The Saudi audience is undoubtedly my source of strength, whether I compete within or outside the Kingdom.

Photos by PFL MMA

“I have competed in world championships abroad – I am the Muay Thai world champion in Bangkok and the Arab champion in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I am very proud and happy with the enormous support from the leadership and people of the Kingdom.

“This gives me a feeling of strength and responsibility to give the best of myself and make my audience proud. The records I have previously achieved, including achieving the Guinness World Records for the fastest knockout, serve as additional motivation to deliver the performance that the public expects and hopes for in this historic and extraordinary moment.

“Practicing martial arts will contribute to the spread of this discipline in the Kingdom. Many women contact me and express their admiration for the skills and high standards I have demonstrated. They aspire to follow in my footsteps and practice this martial art.”

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