Passion and commitment are two drives that not only push one to reach a certain goal but to strive for higher goals that will continue until satisfaction is achieved. The world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one that presents fighters that are not only committed to the art but also have made drastic lifestyle changes in order to fulfill their goals associated with being MMA fighters. MMA is a full-contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, from a variety of other combat sports and martial arts. The sport can be used for multiple purposes such as self-defense, entertainment, increasing physical health and fitness and competitions and can be a mix of different sports such as boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, kick boxing and much much more. It takes years of training, discipline, ups and downs and a lot of mental restraint and training for an MMA trainee to reach a fighter’s level. Competitions are held for those who have reached an elite level, surpassed the mental restraints, committed themselves to the lifestyle and comprehends the rules and regulations the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) organization demands.
The UFC started in 1993 as the world’s fastest growing sports organization. As a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, it not only was the fastest growing, it has revolutionized the fight game. The UFC enforces these rules and regulations in order to keep fighters in a safe disciplined environment, for some see this sport as an extremely violent one when the truth is it is all about the discipline. One Saudi has committed himself to the sport, has transformed his life and self in order to achieve his growing goals as he trained more and more. A young man whose role models include Canadian George St. Pierre (the top MMA Welterweight of all time and the number one most accomplished MMA fighter in MMA history) and Brazilian Anderson da Silva (former UFC Middleweight Champion, who held the longest title defense streak in UFC with 16 consecutive wins and 10 title defenses), which tells a lot of his goals. Abdul Aziz Julaidan is his name, a 26-year-old Saudi who is not only an MMA fighter, but a champ! A feather weight title holder and a history maker who became the first Saudi to win a title at the first Desert Force Championship last December, also the first ever to be held in Saudi Arabia. This young man has made his fellow MMA lovers proud by winning and achieving such great success in just a few seconds. This is Abdul Aziz’s amazing story.
How did you get involved with the world of MMA?
In my teenage years, I was always an enthusiastic watcher of UFC and enjoyed watching MMA fighters in the ring. When moving to Switzerland for my high school years, I found a boxing club and thought of just trying it out. After some time, I grew to really enjoy and like the sport and then went in for three years of training. I would still be watching UFC fights but was very hesitant to take the step to actually compete, for I was competing in amateur boxing matches at the time but MMA was a more intense step due to the risk of injuries and what not.
Watching fights is not the same as actual performance ironically. As with any type of training, one gets bored after repeating the same thing over and over so I moved on to jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai at an MMA Academy in Montreoux and saw how the world of MMA is different from what I would see on television, it was something I found myself attracted to and three months in, I made the decision to commit. A year later I received a blue belt in jiu-jitsu and started competing in amateur competitions. It wasn’t planned from the start but I made a commitment and I haven’t broken that until now.
How did your family take it?
It was very difficult for my parents and they’re very much against it, naturally they’re afraid for my safety but they respect my decision, that’s how parents are, protective and I understand. My brothers on the other hand are my number one supporters.
There’s a drastic lifestyle change that you have to go through as an MMA fighter, healthy diet regimens, many hours of training, a lot of mental release and focus. Was it difficult to get there and be fully dedicated to such a lifestyle change?
It’s not so impossible if you put your mind to it. It’s a mindset and you have to understand that each decision you make affects you in your training and in a future fight. I weighed 79 kilos in my first fight, thinking that I would do good since I was training for it for a very long time, I didn’t have a strict regimen back then, I just went with the flow of things, my trainer told me straight out that I will suffer. And I did! After the fight, I decided that change was a must in everything! My diet, my workouts, how I spend my time away from the gym… all that had to change and I had to sacrifice a lot such as hanging out with friends. I needed to sleep well, I needed to eat properly and I need to fully understand what I was up against. It takes a toll on you mentally, I did it by choice but then you reach a time where you just want to break down. I reached that breakdown point but when I remembered that this is a great opportunity and this is what I’m passionate about, this is what I want to be doing, I picked myself up and trained mentally as well so everything can function together equally.
The most difficult part of any fight is not the fight itself, it’s the preparation for the fight. Training, eating healthy on a strict schedule and sleep all need to be balanced and you reach a point and think “when is this ever going to end?!”. It’s not for the light hearted.
What drives you and pushes you to continue on, even with all the pre-fight stress you go through, how do you do it?
What drives me is the need to see how far I can test myself, to see if I’m able to do it or not, the desire to not want to disappoint my supporters, my friends, coaches and lastly, the cage. Winning or losing is not as important as getting into the cage and showing what I’ve trained for, the cage determines how much I’ve gained in achievements and it’s the one place where you see if you are a worthy fighter or not.
You’ve recently won the Shield and you’ve gained the champion title for Desert Force, how was the fight for you and how did you feel after it?
I’m at a loss for words; elated, overjoyed, thrilled … you get the picture. I’ve trained so hard for this fight and I went in for the win.
Who do you feel is your toughest opponent?
From my past fights, I thought that Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady was my toughest but turned out that he was my easiest opponent, I won my title fighting against him. I was the only person who chose to go for the TKO (technical knockout) and my trainers and I agreed that I had to get in there and do so as quick as possible. Abdul-Kareem had the stamina and a strong chance of keeping his title. There’s history between us and I really thought this was going to be tough. I’ve gotten myself injured the last time we were supposed to fight, but due to my knee injury I backed down and he made it seem that I was scared of him, his arrogance got a hold of him claiming that he can easily knock me out and that made me more determined to win against him. There’s a lot of competition in this sport, and to win over Al-Selwady was a great achievement.
A note to readers: The newly crowned champ made quick work of the reigning champ, as he entered the cage, adrenaline kicked in as he threw the left hook, proceeded to batter the former champ with punches while on the cage mat thus resulting in Desert Force referee, Yazan Ghattas to forcefully stop the fight, less than 30 seconds into the first round. The surge of adrenaline went on as he climbed at the top of the cage over and over again.
What would you say to someone who wants to become an MMA fighter?
The first thing they have to understand is that it’s not a violent sport and it’s not a game. There is a great deal of discipline and drastic lifestyle changes that come with it, you’re still allowed a cheat meal once a week of course, but that doesn’t mean Al-Baik all day long. You have to follow the rules, you have to obey the trainers, you will grow to respect the sport and understand that by not doing any of the three pointers, you’re putting yourself at risk for serious injuries and will not progress in the world of MMA. It is mind over matter and it’s an incredible sport once you dedicate yourself to it.
Be sure to follow and watch Aziz in his upcoming competitions on his official Facebook page “Aziz Julaidan” and view some pre-competition prep photos on his Instagram page, Aziz Julaidan. This is one fighter you sure don’t want to skip out on, a true keeper of his word as he put his fist where his mouth was and in his words, “kept the Shield in my home country (KSA)”.
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Email: Life.style@arabnews.com
Aziz Julaidan: The Desert Force champ who’s making history
Aziz Julaidan: The Desert Force champ who’s making history

Djokovic’s daughter steals the show at Wimbledon with her victory dance

- Tara Djokovic’s victory dance brought a smile to dad’s face. Everybody else’s, too
LONDON: Novak Djokovic won the match on Center Court on Saturday, but it was his 7-year-old daughter who really wowed Wimbledon.
Tara Djokovic’s victory dance brought a smile to dad’s face. Everybody else’s, too.
Djokovic had just clinched his 100th Wimbledon singles win and was asked during his on-court interview to shed light on the little dance he’s been doing recently.
He said it’s done to a song called “Pump It Up.”
“There’s a song with my kids — look my daughter’s doing it right now,” a smiling Djokovic said as he looked into the crowd. “You want to show it darling?”
The TV camera then panned to Tara, who then showed everyone how it’s done: pump your fists down, then left, right and overhead.
The crowd roared.
“She’s the master. It’s a little tradition we have right now. Hopefully we can keep going so we can keep pumping more in Wimbledon.”
China’s first Legoland opens to visitors in Shanghai

- The resort, which opened Saturday, is the first in China
- It is one of 11 parks across the world and was built with 85 million Lego bricks
SHANGHAI: A giant 26-meter (85-foot) Lego figure named Dada welcomed visitors to the new Legoland resort in Shanghai.
The resort, which opened Saturday, is the first in China. It is one of 11 parks across the world and was built with 85 million Lego bricks.
Among the main attractions is Miniland, which replicates well-known sights from across the world using Lego bricks. It features landmarks across China like Beijing’s Temple of Heaven and Shanghai’s Bund waterfront. There’s also a boat tour through a historic Chinese water town built with Lego bricks.
“My first impression is it is a good recreation, like a real fairyland of Lego,” said Ji Yujia, a Lego fan who was there on opening day.
The resort was developed in conjunction with the Shanghai government by Merlin Entertainments and the LEGO Group.
Visitors were greeted by performances featuring Legoland characters. Tickets range from $44 (319 yuan) to $84 (599 yuan).
River Seine reopens to first Paris swimmers after century-long ban

- The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics
- A few dozen swimmers arrived ahead of the Saturday morning opening for the long awaited moment
PARIS: The River Seine reopened to Parisian swimmers on Saturday morning for the first time since 1923, offering locals and tourists a welcome respite after a scorching temperatures.
A few dozen swimmers arrived ahead of the opening at 8:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) for the long awaited moment, diving into the water under the watchful eye of lifeguards, an AFP journalist said.
The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waters which were specially cleaned for the event.
The swimming zones are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to relax, lay out their towels, and unwind from the city’s hustle and bustle.
The promise to lift the swimming ban dates back to 1988, when then-mayor of Paris and future president Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal.
Australian man dies from bat bite

- The virus has been found in species of flying foxes and insect-eating microbats
- The victim’s condition rapidly deteriorates, leading to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death
Sydney: An Australian man has died from an “extremely rare” rabies-like infection transmitted by a bat bite, health officials said Thursday.
The man in his 50s was bitten by a bat carrying Australian bat lyssavirus several months ago, the health service in New South Wales said.
“We express our sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends for their tragic loss,” NSW Health said in a statement.
“While it is extremely rare to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there is no effective treatment for it.”
The man from northern New South Wales, who has not been identified, was this week listed as being in a “critical condition” in hospital.
The virus — a close relative to rabies, which does not exist in Australia — is transmitted when bat saliva enters the human body through a bite or scratch.
First symptoms can take days or years to appear.
Early signs of the disease are flu-like — a headache, fever and fatigue, the health service said.
The victim’s condition rapidly deteriorates, leading to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death.
There were only three previous cases of human infection by Australian bat lyssavirus since it was first identified in 1996 — all of them fatal.
People should avoid touching or handling bats, as any bat in Australia could carry lyssavirus, the New South Wales health service said.
“If you or someone you know is bitten or scratched by a bat, you need to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action,” it said.
“Patients then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.”
The virus has been found in species of flying foxes and insect-eating microbats, NSW Health said.
The type of bat involved in the latest fatality has not been identified.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs acquitted of most serious charges, convicted of prostitution-related offenses

NEW YORK: Sean “Diddy” Combs dropped to his knees and prayed in the courtroom after he was acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s celebrated figures behind bars for life. The rapper was convicted of lesser prostitution-related offenses and still faces prison time but is seeking to be freed from jail to await sentencing.
The mixed result capped a sordid legal odyssey that shattered Combs’ affable “Puff Daddy” image and derailed his career as a Grammy-winning artist and music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.
As the jury foreman spoke and the “not guilty” verdicts piled up, Combs pumped his fist. Each juror affirmed agreement with the verdict as Combs looked toward them, holding his hands up in a prayer motion. Then he hugged defense lawyer Teny Geragos. Combs’ relatives and supporters in the audience could barely contain their relief, despite the judge’s admonition to avoid outbursts: When the first “not guilty” was read aloud, someone shouted, “Yeah!”
Combs, 55, later continued to pump his right fist subtly and nodded, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges.
Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.
The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but Combs’ lawyers said that under federal sentencing guidelines he’d likely face about two years in prison. Prosecutors, citing Combs’ violence and other factors, said the guidelines would call for at least four to five years. Jailed since his September arrest, he’s already served nine months behind bars.
In a triumph for Combs, the jury of eight men and four women acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with the men.
Combs’ defense team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges.
Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, asked that his client be immediately released because the federal Mann Act crimes were of a “vastly different nature” than sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey said he should remain incarcerated as a danger to the community and a threat to flee. She cited evidence of physical abuse and “prolific use and distribution of drugs” that emerged during the trial.
“I do believe we’ll be seeking a substantial period of incarceration,” Comey said.
Both sides filed written submissions expanding on their arguments. Judge Arun Subramanian was expected to rule at 5 p.m. on whether to release Combs on bail.
Combs appeared overwhelmed as court adjourned for a few hours. He wiped his face, turning and kneeling at his chair, his head bowed in prayer.
“I’ll be home soon,” he said as he faced his relatives.
“I love you, Mom,” he added.
His relatives applauded him and his lawyers, some of whom had tears in their eyes, as he was led out of court.
There’s no date yet for sentencing, when the judge will decide on Combs’ punishment for the prostitution conviction.
Verdict follows weeks of harrowing testimony
Federal officials involved in the case responded to the outcome by noting that sex crimes “are all too present in many aspects of our society.”
“New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice,” Manhattan-based US Attorney Jay Clayton and Ricky J. Patel, who heads federal Homeland Security Investigations’ New York office, said in a statement.
Jurors deliberated for about 13 hours over three days before announcing their verdict. It came after they said late Tuesday that they had decided on four counts but were stuck on the racketeering one. At that point, the judge told them to keep deliberating and keep the partial verdict under wraps.
Combs did not testify at his trial, which featured 34 witnesses as well as video of the rapper attacking his former girlfriend Cassie, the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura.
Her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, said in a statement after the verdict that “by coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”
Later, he asked the judge in a letter to deny Combs bail, saying “Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community.”
Cassie testified for four days about her turbulent 11-year relationship with Combs, which began after she signed with his Bad Boy record label.
Cassie said Combs became obsessed with voyeuristic encounters, arranged with the help of his staff, that involved sex workers and copious amounts of baby oil. During the sex events, called “freak-offs” or “hotel nights,” Combs would order Cassie to do things with other men that she found humiliating, she testified.
When things didn’t go Combs’ way, he would beat her, she said.
“I’m not a rag doll. I’m somebody’s child,” Cassie told Combs after he dragged her down a hotel hallway in 2016.
Another ex-girlfriend, testifying under the pseudonym “Jane,” told the jury she repeatedly told Combs she didn’t want to have sex with the men hired for their trysts.
“I’m not an animal. I need a break,” she told him. Nevertheless, she said she felt “obligated” to comply with his demands, in part because he paid her rent.
The AP does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie has.
Defense calls case an invasion of privacy
The trial’s most famous witness, rapper Kid Cudi, said Combs broke into his home in late 2011 after learning he and Cassie were dating. After his car was firebombed a few weeks later, Cudi — whose real name is Scott Mescudi — said he knew Combs “had something to do” with it. Combs denied it.
Combs’ defense team acknowledged that he could be violent but argued that prosecutors were intruding in his personal life. In his closing remarks to the jury, Agnifilo said it wasn’t illegal for Combs to make “homemade porn” with his girlfriends.
Rapper, entrepreneur and criminal defendant
Combs was at the center of the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop battles of the 1990s and became one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades, diversifying his interests with the Sean John fashion label, Ciroc vodka, a cable TV channel and a film and TV studio.
In 2001, Combs was at the center of one of the biggest hip-hop trials of its era, stemming from a Manhattan nightclub shooting that injured three people in 1999. Combs was acquitted of charges that he took an illegal gun into the club and tried to bribe his driver to take the fall.
His career recovered quickly that time.
Combs’ reputation may have suffered irreparable damage, though, after Cassie sued him in November 2023, alleging years of sexual and physical abuse. He settled the next day for $20 million, but more lawsuits by other women and men followed.
Most are still pending.