Hattan Alsaif Ready to Pay Forward Investment Shown in Her From PFL MENA

Saudi Arabia’s Hattan Alsaif is primed and ready for a breakout performance this weekend.

Last year, Alsaif became the first ever Saudi woman signed to a major MMA promotion when she joined PFL MENA. Having started her amateur career under its banner, Alsaif (3-0 AM) has succeeded, notching stoppages in the second round in each of her first three fights. She returns at PFL MENA 2: 2025 First Round in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 4, where she will face Nour Al Fliti (1-1 AM). Ahead of her atomweight matchup, Alsaif discussed with Sherdog PFL MENA’s investment in her, how her career has progressed and what she has planned for her future.

Having the power of a promotion such as PFL MENA behind her to jumpstart her career, Alsaif says she feels blessed for the investment they’ve placed in her.

“I’m so proud to have that,” Alsaif remarked. “Not everyone can have the opportunity to have a company like PFL behind them to begin their amateur career. I got blessed to have the PFL have my back and support me from my very first fight. Not everyone can immediately have a company like PFL behind them from their first fight, so I’m really proud to have that.”

While she recognizes the investment that PFL MENA has placed in her, she also relishes her opportunity to inspire women from her region of the world who may have interest in MMA.

“It’s going to grow way, way bigger, and I’m 100% sure about it,” Alsaif said about mixed martial arts in her home country of Saudi Arabia. “Year by year, we can see a lot of new Arab females, or even males, coming up with new levels, new skills. PFL MENA is going to grow up so much and I hope to be a really big part of that.”

Saudi Arabian Stardom Looms for the Youngster From Riyadh

Celebrating three stoppages in three wins with the promotion, Alsaif does not believe she has become a star yet. The operative word for her is “yet.”

“If I said that, I would look like someone with ego,” the amateur explained. “I have always told myself that I was someone who was born to be a star, but I don’t want to have ego. Even in high school my nickname was ‘Shining Star.’”

Looking to achieve new goals this year after a 3-0 start in 2024, Alsaif has put the performances of last year behind her and is looking to showcase her new developments.

“People have said that I had incredible performances last year, but for me, it’s nothing to be honest,” Alsaif assessed. “I don’t see it as incredible; I see it as just the beginning. I try to promise myself to do better this year and have more explosive performances this year.”

With her burgeoning amateur career, Alsaif says her career trajectory and the upcoming decision to go pro will come down to her and her team of coaches.

“It’s something that we have to decide on as a team, with myself, my coaches, and the PFL. I need to have a little bit of time, because I love to take all of my decisions very seriously and I don’t like to jump into things immediately,” Alsaif concluded.