Ayyad storms into semis

Manama : KHK MMA fighter, Hussain Ayyad qualified for the European Open Championships of Amateur MMA semi-finals after defeating David Fogarty, the holder of the silver medal in the last edition.

The championship held in Sofia, Bulgaria, Sofia is organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and will continue until tomorrow.

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Honourary President of the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Founder of Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Mixed Martials Organisation (KHK MMA) followed up on the national fighter, praising his performance and the positive result he achieved and wishing luck to the fighter for his fight today against Bulgarian fighter Nikolay Ivaylov.

Ayyad is competing in the 56kg category at Championships and excelled for three round and emerging victorious by a decision from the panel of judges and had previously reached the same stage at the Birmingham Championship in 2015.

He is guaranteed a bronze medal for reaching the semi-finals according to the championship rules and regulations.

Ayyad said: “I thank God for this result, which gives me a strong incentive to be more ready for my next match against the Bulgarian, which will not be easy as it needs more mental focus, and through which I can reach the final. My hopes are high in this championship since I left the championship in Prague. I seek to accomplish an achievement for the Kingdom of Bahrain in this international gathering,” he thanked Shaikh Khalid for his continuous support.

Waleed Sayar, Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF) Secretary General, expressed his joy with the result achieved by Ayyad and wishes him the best of luck in his pursuit of the gold medal.

The Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation also had another first in having a food specialist, Mohamed Saad, to join the National team delegation at the championships and supervising the nutrition of the National team and KHK MMA team.