Making Waves: Hattan Alsaif’s Journey to MMA Greatness
In late January, 22-year-old Hattan Alsaif became the first female fighter from Saudi Arabia to sign with a significant global mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Despite her recent successes in the ring, Alsaif’s journey has been marked by significant personal challenges.
Born into a family separation situation, Alsaif’s parents divorced shortly after her birth, and her grandmother raised her. Tragedy struck at the age of 10 when both of her parents passed away withinten0 months, plunging her into years of depression and multiple suicide attempts.
Al Jazeera recently conducted an edited interview with Alsaif, shedding light on her struggles, the pain of losing her parents, and how she discovered her passion for MMA.
Alsaif expressed the immense significance of being the first Saudi female fighter signed by a major MMA promotion, emphasizing her responsibility to represent her country, family, and fellow Saudi females. She attributes her belief in being the right person for this role to her skills, considering fighting her destined path, career, and everything in between.
Despite entering martial arts relatively late, Alsaif found a profound connection with the sport from the first training days. Martial arts became a refuge for her, providing an outlet for her anger, depression, and a sense of purpose.
Reflecting on the losses in her life, Alsaif explained that after losing her parents, she felt she had nothing more to lose and took responsibility for herself. Martial arts became the avenue through which she channeled her emotions and found a sense of normalcy.
Alsaif acknowledged the physical and mental challenges of her training, highlighting instances of crying from pain but emphasizing her determination to keep going. She shared her perspective on using the pain and challenges as defining elements of her identity as a fighter.
Addressing those who may be close to giving up, Alsaif shared her own experience of battling depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. She encouraged individuals facing similar struggles to leap of faith, particularly during their lowest moments, emphasizing the transformative power of embracing new challenges.
Looking ahead, Alsaif expressed her ambitious dream of becoming the best, driven by her obsession with perfection and a desire for 100 percent commitment in every aspect of her life. Despite anticipating challenges on the journey, she remains steadfast in her determination to reach the pinnacle of success.
