Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf Primed for Global Stage Debut with PFL MENA

On May 9th, the highly-anticipated second season of PFL MENA kicks off at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the best Middle Eastern mixed martial arts (MMA) stars taking center stage.

While a number of big names will be returning to the fold, there are also a handful of new faces looking to make an impact inside the PFL SmartCage. Among those newcomers is undefeated Kuwaiti Women’s Featherweight standout Eman Almudhaf.

A veteran of the UAE Warriors promotion, Almudhaf owns an impressive 4-0 professional record with all of her wins coming by stoppage. Now, she steps onto the biggest stage of her career as she meets Brazil’s Shamara Braga in an early-card showcase bout.

For Almudhaf, finally making it to the PFL, as the league’s first female fighter from Kuwait, is an opportunity to show that female fighters and fighters from Kuwait do belong in the big leagues.

“Being the first Kuwaiti female fighter in the PFL is great, of course,” Almudhaf proudly claimed. “We’re showing that we belong in this sport at the highest level, just as much as anyone.”

While her bout with Braga was a short-notice addition to the season-opening card in Jeddah, Almudhaf says that it’s an opportunity to show the world that her years of hard work and training have brought her to this level.

“Though it was a relatively short-notice fight, I have always been training and staying ready for any opportunity that comes,” Almudhaf said. “I can’t wait to show all the work I’ve put in, not just for this fight but from all my years of training.”

Almudhaf is just the latest in a growing list of fighters from Kuwait that will be showcasing their skills inside the world-famous PFL SmartCage. The 32-year-old shares that she did follow the widely-successful first season of PFL MENA, and says that she’s happy to be part of the league.

“Yes, I did follow some of the fights, especially when the Kuwaiti fighters were on,” Almudhaf said. “I did follow last season’s Finals as well.”

“I’m impressed by the level of talent and how fast the league is growing,” she added. “I’m very excited to be part of the biggest show in the Middle East right now.

Against Braga, Almudhaf will be facing an opponent with twice as many professional bouts, but she isn’t too worried about the so-called advantage in experience.

“[Braga] looks tough and has double the cage experience I have, but technically and tactically, I believe that I’m better in all aspects of the game,” Almudhaf said confidently.

“I predict a dominant performance,” she continued.

While she’s yet to set foot inside the SmartCage, Almudhaf is already an inspiration to young female athletes and aspiring fighters who wish to one day also make it onto the PFL’s global stage. For those that are already looking up to her, Almudhaf has some solid words of advice.

“If I had any advice, it would be to stay focused, work hard, and don’t let anyone limit you,” she shared. “Yes, of course, there are many challenges, different ones at each stage of my career, but I believe that having the belief in myself, a big passion for the sport, and a strong team around me helps me face any obstacle along the way.”

When she steps into the SmartCage, Almudhaf will have a lot of people cheering her on, and they’ll be giving her the motivation to put on an amazing performance.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent Kuwait and the MENA region, as well as both my teams in the United Kingdom, London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team,” she stated.

As for her personal goals in joining the PFL, Almudhaf kept it short and simple:

“I want to be the best.”