DUBAI: Bahrain’s Hamad Marhoon makes his highly anticipated SmartCage professional debut at the Dhahran Expo in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia, for the “PFL MENA Finals: All Or Nothing” on Dec. 5.
Marhoon will face fellow newcomer Walid Gounaine of Morocco in a flyweight showcase bout, and he is brimming with confidence.
“I’m ready. Whatever he’s gonna bring to the table, I’ll be ready. Up, down, anywhere. I see myself being well-prepared,” Marhoon said.
“I know that he’s a combat sambo fighter, he fought in the Moroccan championships. I think I’m ready for whatever’s gonna stand in front of me.”
Marhoon was initially scheduled to compete at the last PFL MENA event, but the fight was cancelled when his opponent failed to make weight. Marhoon is happy that he is getting another chance to showcase his skills.
“Of course, I’m grateful to have an opportunity like this. Since I was a kid, I’ve been working hard and believing in myself, and I’m ready for challenges and opportunities like this.”
Marhoon said he has been working on his grappling and ground game to counter Gounaine’s sambo skills.
“In the last camp, it was more about focusing on striking, but I was also mixing it up, with cage control,” Marhoon explained. “In this camp, we have been working more on wrestling and ground and pound.”
