Dubai : Malaysia’s first female mixed martial arts (MMA) professional Ann Osman is due to make history in Dubai this month by becoming the first Muslim female to fight professionally in an Islamic country, Gulf News reported.
“Initially when I took up MMA, I never actually thought about how being a Muslim woman mattered with my involvement in the sport,” Osman said. “But after making my MMA debut, and receiving words of encouragement and messages from fellow Muslim friends on how it has inspired them too, then only I realized what I have actually been doing,” she added. Osman, who will participate to the One Fighting Championship’s (One FC) “Reign of Champions” in Dubai, will face former boxing world champion Ana Julaton. The 28-year-old athlete, whose background is predominantly in muay thai, will take part in the sports event that due to be held at Dubai World Trade Centre on August 29.