Abdul "Abba" Hussein: Finland’s Dark Horse

Abdul "Abba” Hussein is an overlooked dark horse in the world of mixed martial arts. Born in Lebanon, Abdul moved out of the country when he was just three months old. He grew up in Finland and started practicing martial arts at the age of 16, inspired by his older brother who taught him some boxing moves at home.

As Abdul turned 16, he started attending an academy to learn more about martial arts. His interest in sports started with soccer, but he was intrigued by mixed martial arts after watching the first Griffin Bonnar fight. His brother also tried some karate and boxing before prior to mixed martial arts, and would come home and teach Abdul and his siblings some basic moves that he had learned in class.

Abdul describes himself as a well-rounded fighter, not just a striker or wrestler. He began his career at the age of 17 and continues to not only fight but also teach the upcoming generation of martial artists. As an amateur, Abdul fought at bantamweight however then realized his optimal division — flyweight.

Abdul had a tough year in 2020, with several fights canceled due to various reasons, including illness. The pandemic years that followed also posed challenges for Abdul's training, with gyms closed and no classes to attend or teach. However, thanks to progressive Finnish laws, Abdul along with other professional fighters were able to maintain and improve their technical skills as they were still allowed to train under strict safety measures.

Abdul hopes to bring attention to MMA in Finland, following the footsteps of other Finnish MMA fighters who have made it to the UFC. He believes that MMA in Finland is growing and that he can contribute to its growth.

Overall, Abdul is a dedicated and talented mixed martial artist who is not afraid to fight the best. He has a well-rounded skill set and is looking forward to new challenges. With his passion for the sport and his commitment to growth, Abdul is sure to make a name for himself in the world of MMA.

Fun fact: Abdul's nickname is "Abba” was invented by his classmates in 3rd grade. His classmates had trouble pronouncing his name, so one of them came up with Abba, and it stuck.