UAE based Syrian fighter Mohammad Walid will be making his ONE FC debut when the promotion comes to Dubai World Trade Centre on August 29. The welterweight from al Kholoud Club has signed a 6-fight contract with the Singapore-based One FC off the back of a professional record of three wins and no losses. Walid will be facing Dubai-based Filipino Vaughn Donayre (7-1), number two lightweight in the country behind only ONE FC title contender Eduard Folayang.
How and when did you get the opportunity to debut in ONE FC? How did it feel to join the biggest promotion in Asia?
It all happened in July. I am pumped up and ready to go now. But we need to wait until 29th of August. Well, it’s a 6 fight deal. I admit this is the best I ever got, and I’m proud to sign with ONE FC.
How does it feel to represent Arabs, and Syrian in specific, on a massive platform like One FC?
It feels great, I am not only represting Syrians, I am representing all Arabs in this event. I hope to see more Arabs on global promotions. I’m sure we will witness more of this with ONE FC adding the UAE to it’s map.
We have previously seen Arabs in ONE FC, yet none of them managed to get a win, what do you think about that?
Egyptian fighters have competed in ONE Fighting Championship, they’re among the toughest fighters in the region. However until this moment, I don’t understand why are they still one-dimensional; they’re either skilled on stand-up or skilled on the ground. They need Jiu-Jitsu schools there! Whenever this happens, and whenever they stop body building, Egyptians will become the biggest threats. A few years ago, rumors had it that Tareq Mattar, Jiu-Jitsu black belt under master Bitta, is going there to open a school. Tareq currently teaches Jiu-Jitsu here in Abu Dhabi. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate him for his black belt.
Who are you training with for this fight, and even before it? What has changed in your training routines?
I am training with Walid Wadi, Mohammad al Khatibe, Abdul Salam, Igor Silva, Ricardo Evngilista, Sagateno, Luise and my brother. Nothing has particularly changed, my training partners are still the same, only the workouts are more intense.
You mentioned before that you would like to face Mounir Lazzez. What do you think of his latest fights?
Yup, I said I would like to fight him in DFC (Dubai Fighting Championship). He was fighting for the welterweight title, but he got injured. Lazzez deserved a chance, but this was not my decision, it was Tam Khan’s, DFC’s CEO and founder. I watched the fight in which he KO’d Anas Siraj Mounir, he was losing the fight until he delivered a brilliant knockout. He fights with his heart. Well deserved.
What are your thoughts on your Filipino opponent Vaughn Donayre? Where do you believe you have an edge? Stand-up or on the ground?
Donayre is good fighter. I will become shark in case the fight goes to the ground. We are almost even when it comes to stand-up, but I will still beat him, I will prove that I’m better in the fight. In MMA anything can happen! That’s MMA and that’s what I like about it.
It’s been a while since you last fight, do you think that will affect your performance?
I’m sure that being away for a while will somehow deteriorate my performance. We need to wait for the fight and see how it goes. I will be ready and I will go for kill and put on the best show in that night.
