Alhasan will be carrying the South Sudan’s flag into the Russian soil with an aim to establish himself in the global stage

By Liam Josh

Alhasan Mosiala, a prominent South Sudanese mixed martial fighter, has conquered the East African region, won five fights, and is now taking on the experience to the international stage- the MMA world championship in Kanty- mansysk in Russia.

The hardworking Alhassan departed the country yesterday with his South Sudanese-Dutch coach Lofogo Soro.

Alhasan will be carrying the South Sudan’s flag into the Russian soil with an aim to establish himself in the global stage. Winning the championship would mean Alhassan claims the title as the first locally trained MMA fighter in the history of South Sudan and region, to lift the tag

Alhassan will be fighting on the 83.9 kg category and his first fight will on the 22nd of this month. He will face Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Enko Alic, Russia’s Murad Abdulatipov, Iran’s Efan Wafaie and Yemen’s Haithm Almuaalemi, in various categories of the championship.

Even though he admits the challenge that comes with such competitions, especially considering that one gets to fight with opponents you may not be familiar including with their tactics from the onset, the fighter expresses confidence, and believes he is ready for the bout.  

“Yeah, you know it’s part of our game. As long as you are in the MMA, you will be going through the same process all the time, and am confident,” he says.

Alhassan reiterated that he is going to give his opponent a run for their money, and sleepless nights. As part of his homework, he spent some time watching YouTube videos of past fights of his opponents, just so as to learn their tactics and to prepare him for the main task

“I can’t judge them, because every day they are like me; every day they are getting better. They are training. What I believe I’m going to give them a hard time, though,” he revealed to The City Review Sports Desk.

The fact that the mixed martial arts (MMA) is still not as popular and thus participants are also not as known, is something that does not lift wight off Alhassan’s ground.

“My community does not know about MMA and they don’t know that I can do something big. I will prove them wrong,” he said, confidently.

When it comes to corporate sponsorship, Alhassan admitted of not having a sponsor at the moment, despite heading to a world stage that significantly offers immense marketing opportunity.

He, however, said the endorsements always accompany the wide-range success of the participant. He says he is aware that companies will come his way as he believes many brands will be monitoring him closely.

Alhassan is coached by his South Sudanese Dutch coach Lofogo Soro, a trained coach and former professional MMA champion whose cabinet is full of trophies, awards and recognitions, received from his fights from various tournaments from across the globe.

“The good thing about my coach, he is open minded. He is an inspiration. He has won many awards and I’m just so confident in him,” he says.

“My community does not know about MMA and they don’t know that I can do something big. I will prove them wrong,” South Sudanese MMA fighter, Al Hassan Mosiala.