AUFC’s first champion is now signed in for the next 2 years, giving him an opportunity to keep rising in popularity. Ahmed “The Prince” Faress’ last bout against Hassan Mandour has put him in the spotlight on the Middle Eastern MMA scene, and will surely be talked about for years amongst Egyptian fans.
We caught up with The Prince to ask him a few questions about his latest title fight at AUFC 5, and about his next plans with the new 2 year deal.
When asked about Hassan Mandour:
I thought that the fight would be easy and that I could finish it quickly. I never believed that there existed a fighter in Egypt that could make me go all through to the 2nd round. Hassan completely controlled the clinch and wrestling. He is also a very dangerous fighter on the ground, which left me with very minimal choices and decisions to make during the match. He shut the door to every 9 out of 10 moves I wanted to make. He blatantly deserved that chance at the title with me. The toughest fighter I have ever faced and I doubt I’ll be as challenged by someone else. That sort of strength is not normal for a Featherweight. He has my full respect.
On becoming AUFC’s first champion:
I tried joining another MMA promotion in Egypt and they tried to blackmail me by saying that I would not be able to have a title shot without joining their team. The choice should be mine. That is not how fighters in Egypt should be treated. Fighters should not be owned. I discovered that AUFC gave you a lot more freedom than anyone else in Egypt. I have a lot of respect for the work they do and they are here for the fighters more than themselves. Being their very first champion is a huge honour.
About his future:
In the future, it would be nice to get UFC or Bellator’s attention, but right now I am thinking of my AUFC title defenses. Maybe also leave my comfort zone and try other weight divisions to challenge their champions at some point. Either way I would like to get to a stage where I am known or remembered for being good, whether I am inside our outside the cage. A person with a unique fighting style. For now, I want to be part of making AUFC truly the biggest event in the Middle-East and to be known as pound for pound, their greatest, and most dominating champion. With my new 2 year deal, I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.
Stay tuned for more on Faress and AUFC.
