Elite competitor Zayed Alkatheeri has just been booked to make his ONE Championship debut at ONE 171 on February 20th, 2025. He will be taking on Jarrah Al Hazza in a flyweight submission grappling match, one that will also be Al Hazza’s first for the promotion. Both men represent nations that are much smaller in the BJJ world so getting the opportunity to fly their country’s flags on such a big stage is an incredible moment. Al Hazza is a third degree BJJ black belt from Kuwait and Alkatheeri is the most successful competitor to ever come out of the United Arab Emirates.
Alkatheeri actually made history as the first UAE athlete to win an IBJJF major back in 2023 and he’s been a force to be reckoned with ever since. He’s reached the podium of several of the biggest gi grappling tournaments in the world, including winning a silver medal at the IBJJF World Championship last year. Although most of his accomplishments have come in the gi, he’s also proven himself to be just as skilled in no gi competition as well. He even defeated former IBJJF no gi world champion Osamah Almarwai at Pit Submission Series 4 and will be a very tough opponent for Al Hazza.
Al Hazza is no stranger to elite opposition though, as he’s shared the mats with some of the best grapplers in the world over the course of his career. Both men will be eager to make a big impact in their debuts at ONE 171 and although Zayed Alkatheeri might be the favorite on paper, Al Hazza can’t be counted out. This won’t be the only time that fans will get to see some elite grappling at the event either, as Kade Ruotolo will be having his third professional MMA fight on the same night and he will be looking to maintain his perfect record of first-round submission wins.
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Zayed Alkatheeri announced the news that he was going to make his ONE Championship debut at ONE 171 in a recent post to his official Instagram account:
