Saudi Arabia continues to expand its footprint in global combat sports, as Rasha Alkhamees Becomes First Female MMA President in MENA
Rasha Alkhamees has been appointed president of the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation, becoming the first woman to lead an MMA governing body in the Middle East. She will serve a four-year term from 2024 to 2028, in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s long-term Vision 2030 sports development plan.
Alkhamees previously served as vice president of the Saudi Boxing Federation and has played a key role in developing combat sports programs in the Kingdom, particularly for women. Earlier in June 2025, she was named one of Adweek’s Most Powerful Women in Sports.
Her appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for MMA in the region. In June 2024, the UFC held its first Fight Night event in Riyadh, followed by a large-scale fan experience as part of Riyadh Season.
Meanwhile, PFL MENA launched in May 2024 in Riyadh, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) offering a professional platform for regional fighters.
Saudi Arabia also captured its first gold medal at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in 2022, with Abdulelah Mir Alem earning top honors. The medal marked a turning point for the Kingdom’s amateur MMA scene and further signaled its international ambitions.
“This isn’t just a milestone for women in sports — it’s a strategic step for Saudi’s long-term vision,” said Zahi Ephrem, founder of ArabsMMA.com, a digital platform covering combat sports in the region. “With global promotions and domestic success converging, this move adds serious credibility to Saudi’s MMA plans.”
In other disciplines, Saudi jiu-jitsu athletes have shown notable growth over the past few years, regularly reaching podiums at regional and international tournaments. Boxing has also continued to thrive.
In April 2025, the Kingdom hosted the opening rounds of the Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix, featuring 128 fighters across multiple weight divisions and introducing new fan-focused rule enhancements.
Looking ahead, a new professional boxing league is set to debut in 2026, co-founded by TKO Group Holdings (parent company of UFC and WWE) in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and Sela. The league aims to blend global talent development with high-level events.
With Alkhamees at the helm, the Saudi MMA Federation is expected to focus on youth development, international collaboration, and expanding the country’s role in the global MMA ecosystem.
