The Professional Fighters League (PFL), known for its rapid growth and innovation in sports, has made a historic announcement today, revealing the exclusive multi-fight signing of Hattan Alsaif. Alsaif’s signing marks a groundbreaking moment as she becomes the first woman from Saudi Arabia to secure a contract with a major global MMA promotion.
At just 22 years old, Alsaif has already made waves in the world of combat sports, earning a gold medal at the 2023 International Federation of Muay Thai Associations World Championships, where she was honored as the “Breakthrough Female Athlete.” Her success continued with victories at the World Combat Games and the Saudi Games, setting the stage for her anticipated amateur MMA debut with PFL in 2024.
Expressing her gratitude, Alsaif stated, “Receiving a contract from the PFL is a dream come true. As the first Saudi woman signed to a global MMA contract, I do not take the responsibility lightly, and I am committed to representing my country. I hope to pave the way for aspiring female fighters. I am thankful to God and the PFL for this incredible opportunity.”
Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations at PFL, echoed Alsaif’s sentiments, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Hattan Alsaif, a truly groundbreaking athlete, to the PFL. In collaboration with our partner, SRJ Sports, PFL is dedicated to discovering exceptional fighters like Alsaif and championing the cause of women in MMA in the region. Our goal is to provide them with a global platform to showcase their skill sets.”
Alsaif will primarily train alongside Abdullah Al-Qahtani, a competitor in PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions. Her signing strengthens a roster that will have opportunities to compete in PFL MENA, the league’s second regional division outside of the United States, offering fighters from the Middle East and North Africa the chance to join the PFL Global Roster.
PFL distinguishes itself in MMA with its sports-season format, featuring regular seasons, playoffs, and championships annually. The organization, along with Bellator, boasts a roster with 30% of fighters independently ranked in the top 25 of their weight classes, aligning with UFC percentages. PFL’s global expansion includes leagues such as PFL Europe and plans for further international development, positioning itself as the “Champions League of MMA.” Leveraging technology and innovation with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, PFL provides fans with advanced fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and an immersive viewing experience. PFL broadcasts on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and reaches 150 countries through 20 premium media partners.
