Amman — The Jordan Mixed Martial Arts Week concluded the day before yesterday with the Desert Force: Uncaged championship at the Roman Amphitheatre, amid an electric atmosphere, strong crowd attendance and the participation of a select group of professional fighters from Jordan and several Arab and foreign countries. The sporting evening combined combat competitions with artistic and heritage performances in an exceptional event that once again highlighted Jordan’s position as a destination capable of hosting major sporting events.
اضافة اعلان
The championship opened with an official ceremony that began with the playing of the Royal Anthem, followed by a minute of silence in mourning for the victims of last week’s Karak attack.
Jordanian fighters made a notable showing throughout the competition, delivering impressive performances and securing three victories in the preliminary card through Zaki Kayali, Yazan Balaawi and Farih Harahsheh. Jordanian fighter Abdullah Jwaish also competed in the main card, as the evening featured 14 professional bouts involving fighters of different nationalities.
Zaki Kayali secured victory in his bout against Algeria’s Mohammed Namla in the 63kg catchweight division. Farih Harahsheh also won his matchup against his Algerian opponent in the bantamweight division, adding another victory to Jordan’s tally.
Meanwhile, Jordanian fighter Yazan Balaawi continued his strong performance, defeating Morocco’s Issam Azalhad in the middleweight division to secure an important victory amid a strong response from the crowd. However, Abdullah Jwaish was unsuccessful in his main-card bout, losing to Algeria’s Islam Shlouti in a featherweight contest.
The main card featured several intense and exciting matchups. Among the highlights was the headline bout, in which Russian fighter Mohammad Berkhamov defeated American opponent Dante Shiro in an 80kg catchweight contest, securing a notable victory to the crowd’s enthusiastic response.
Egyptian fighter Basel Abdelhamid also recorded an important victory over Saudi fighter Fares Al-Raimi in a closely contested matchup. Russian fighter Qurban Ali Isabekov then secured victory over Romanian fighter Catalin Safta in a 73kg catchweight bout.
The evening’s significance extended beyond the sporting action, attracting a number of Jordanian officials and prominent figures, alongside international sports and entertainment personalities. Their presence reflected the international attention surrounding the championship. Among those in attendance were former world boxing champion Mike Tyson, former Brazilian football star Ronaldinho, Turkish actor Engin Altan Düzyatan and social media star Khasbulla Magomedov.
This high-profile attendance added another dimension to the event and helped amplify its local and international profile. The Roman Amphitheatre’s historical significance also made it a distinctive setting, transforming it into a venue where sport, heritage and culture came together in an experience that blended the site’s ancient character with the modernity of combat sports.
Alongside the bouts, organizers arranged a diverse programme of artistic and heritage performances aimed at showcasing Jordanian cultural heritage and presenting a comprehensive picture of local identity to visitors and participants.
The Jordanian Armed Forces’ military bands delivered musical performances that added a distinctive national atmosphere to the event. The Ma’an Folk Arts Troupe also presented a series of dabkeh and dahiyah performances, alongside shows inspired by Circassian folklore, in an artistic display reflecting the diversity and richness of Jordan’s cultural heritage.
The areas surrounding the Roman Amphitheatre also hosted performances by participants wearing costumes inspired by the Roman and Nabataean armies, offering a visual representation of the region’s history and successive civilizations. A range of accompanying recreational activities was also organized, allowing visitors and families to enjoy a comprehensive experience beyond the sporting competitions.
Attendance at the championship was estimated at around 4,000 people, reflecting growing interest in mixed martial arts in Jordan and increasing demand for events that combine sport, entertainment and culture.
The evening received widespread praise from attendees, who commended the organization, the quality of the logistical and technical arrangements, the variety of accompanying performances and the smooth management of the championship, all of which contributed to an event befitting the historical venue and the scale of international participation.
The championship also reflected the level of coordination and effort invested in organizing the event, from preparing the competition venue and managing the bouts to welcoming participants and guests. These efforts helped create a professional atmosphere for both spectators and fighters and delivered an integrated sporting and entertainment experience that was well received by attendees.
Jordan Mixed Martial Arts Week was organized by Makana 360 and Jordan Combat Consulting, in cooperation with the Mixed Martial Arts Federation and with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board. The event forms part of efforts to diversify Jordan’s tourism offerings and strengthen the Kingdom’s presence on the sports tourism map by attracting international championships and events and making use of archaeological and historical sites as venues for major occasions.
The event comes amid a broader drive to make sport one of the supporting pillars of the tourism sector, given its potential to attract visitors and participants from various countries, introduce them to the Kingdom’s tourism and cultural assets, stimulate economic and tourism activity, and demonstrate Jordan’s ability to combine its civilizational heritage with modern organizational capabilities.
By Mohammad Arabiyat
