Amman, Oct. 27 (Petra) -- With Jordanian and international fighters taking part, a press conference was held in Amman on Tuesday to announce the program for Jordan Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Week 2026, attended by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin, representatives of the organizing bodies, fighters, guests, and media professionals.
Hijazin said the ministry was working to diversify Jordan's tourism markets and products, including by developing sports tourism and promoting mixed martial arts as a new tourism offering in cooperation with the organizers.
He added that the ministry sought to expand its target tourism markets, capitalizing on the participation of celebrities, athletes, and media professionals from Latin America, Central Asia, the United States, and other countries to boost Jordan's profile in international markets.
Hijazin said the ministry was working with the Jordan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sports federations to prepare a calendar of sporting events for 2027, with the aim of developing sports tourism and diversifying events capable of attracting visitors to the Kingdom.
He praised the efforts of partners and relevant government bodies in preparing for the event, expressing hope that it would be a success and strengthen Jordan's position as a destination for sporting and tourism events.
Zaid Mirza, founder of the Desert Force championship, welcomed the participants and guests arriving in Jordan, expressing his anticipation of an action-packed week both inside and outside the cage and of welcoming new faces to events bringing together fighters and sports figures from Jordan and abroad.
Mirza said the week's activities would culminate in the "DF UNCAGED" fight night on Friday at the Roman Theatre in downtown Amman, featuring Jordanian and international fighters, former champions, and prominent international figures from the sports and media sectors.
Abdulrahman Al Hussami, chief executive of Makana 360, said the media played a pivotal role in highlighting major sporting events and bringing Jordan's image and archaeological sites to global audiences.
Holding sporting events at archaeological sites, he said, offered an opportunity to showcase these landmarks through a new tourism product centered on sports tourism. Previous experiences had demonstrated that major events could attract thousands of followers and visitors to sites across Jordan, he added.
Al Hussami said mixed martial arts (MMA) enjoyed a large global following and was among the fastest-growing sports in terms of viewership after football, making the sport's presence in Jordan an important opportunity to promote the Kingdom on a wide scale.
He said the choice of the Roman Theatre, which dates back around 2,000 years, reflected an ambition to connect history with modern sport. Hosting fighters from different countries, he added, sent a message that Jordan was capable of organizing international events and sharing its story with the world as a cradle of civilizations that offers innovative tourism products combining historical heritage with contemporary activities.
He commended the support provided by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board, saying that activating archaeological sites through such events opened up additional opportunities for the tourism sector and helped strengthen the Kingdom's presence on the global sports tourism map.
Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Desert Force Director General Mohammed Mirza said public interest, attendance, and ticket sales had exceeded initial expectations by a significant margin.
The organization had built up experience by staging more than 50 international events, he added.
Mirza said the participation of international fighters and their posts about Jordan on social media helped promote the Kingdom. MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu were also growing significantly in Jordan, which had become a regional training destination for these sports, he said. The possibility of organizing another event next January would be discussed at the organization's annual meeting, he added.
American professional fighter Andrew Sanchez told Petra that this was his first visit to the Middle East. He said he was impressed by the level of security and the warm welcome he had received in Jordan, adding that the visit had given him an opportunity to learn about the Kingdom's history, culture, and diversity.
Jordanian fighters Yazan Balawi and Abdullah Jawish said representing Jordan and promoting the country were a national responsibility and an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Jordanian fighters to international audiences.
Balawi said representing Jordan was both an honor and a major responsibility. Strong public attendance and media coverage provided additional motivation for fighters to deliver their best performances, he said, adding that his participation allowed him to help introduce the Kingdom to wider audiences, particularly as he also worked as a German-speaking tour guide.
Jawish highlighted the importance of preparing for competition and presenting a positive image of Jordanian fighters. Taking part in an international event of this kind gave fighters an opportunity to demonstrate their sporting abilities and introduce Jordan to participants and audiences from around the world, he said.
Internationally renowned coach Javier Mendez, founder of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), praised the organization of the event and the way fighters and guests had been treated. He said Jordan had provided an outstanding experience that demonstrated the Kingdom's strong capacity to host major international sporting events.
Jordan MMA Week will run until Oct. 31 under the slogan "Back to the Cage." Its program includes welcoming fighters and guests, open training sessions, media events, and the official weigh-in before concluding with the "DF UNCAGED" fight night on Friday at the Roman Theatre, featuring Jordanian and international fighters alongside prominent global sports figures and legends.
//Petra// AF
