Amman hosts international MMA week ahead of DF UNCAGED fight night

Amman has launched a week of mixed martial arts events featuring international fighters and prominent figures from the sport, including AKA founder and renowned coach Javier Mendez and Brazilian football great Ronaldinho.

The programme is building towards the Desert Force “DF UNCAGED” tournament, with the main fights scheduled for 30 October at Amman’s Roman Theatre.

Fighters, coaches, international guests, athletes and media representatives attended a news conference announcing the event. The participating competitors were also introduced ahead of their bouts at the historic venue.

Zaid Mirza, chief executive of Jordan Combat Consulting and founder of Desert Force, said hosting the tournament was an important step in strengthening Jordan’s position on the global mixed martial arts map.

He said staging the fights at prominent historical sites would give the event a distinctive character while showcasing Jordan’s tourism and cultural attractions.

Mirza added that the tournament would allow Jordanian fighters to compete against leading international opponents and gain valuable experience. It would also give local fans the chance to watch international-level mixed martial arts on home soil.

Abdulrahman Al-Husami, founder and chief executive of Makanah 360, which is organising the event, highlighted the role of media and digital platforms in taking the tournament to new audiences worldwide.

He said major sporting events had become an effective way to promote tourist and cultural destinations, particularly through content shared by athletes and high-profile guests with their followers.

Mendez praised the organisation of the event and the attention being given to the fighters. He described the care provided for the athletes as among the best experiences he had encountered during his career in mixed martial arts.

International fighters Mohamed Berkhamov, Dante Schiro, Andrew Sanchez and Mikhail Raguzin were presented at the news conference. They are preparing to compete at the Roman Theatre in an event combining sporting competition with the character of one of Amman’s historic landmarks.

The fighters said they were pleased to be taking part in the tournament and competing in the Jordanian capital. They added that fighting at one of Amman’s most prominent historical sites made the experience special and offered an opportunity to learn more about Jordanian culture and history alongside their sporting commitments.

Jordanian competitors Farih Al-Harashah, Abdullah Jawaish, Zaki Kayali and Yazan Balawi will also take part. They said they were proud to represent their country and that competing in front of Jordanian supporters would provide extra motivation to perform at their best and demonstrate the development of mixed martial arts in Jordan.

The week continues with open training sessions at the Dead Sea Corniche on 28 October, followed by the official weigh-in at Amman’s Citadel on 29 October. The programme concludes on 30 October with the DF UNCAGED Fight Night at the Roman Theatre.

The event is organised by Makanah 360 and Jordan Combat Consulting under the supervision of the Jordan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board, as well as public- and private-sector institutions and partners.

The tournament forms part of efforts to develop sports tourism in Jordan and attract international events that promote the kingdom as a destination combining sport, tourism and culture.