UFC REALITY SHOW 'BLESSING' FOR FORT LAUDERDALE'S HASSAN
By Jay Reddick, Orlando Sentinel
Competing on this season’s “Ultimate Fighter” brings Hayder Hassan’s career full-circle. But in one sense, that circle doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Hassan is the only native Floridian on the new season of the reality series, which pits welterweights from two top South Florida gyms against each other in a quest for supremacy. The season debuts Wednesday, April 22, at 10 p.m. on Fox Sports 1.
Hassan was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, just a few miles south of the American Top Team gym in Coconut Creek. He said the opportunity to compete on one of UFC’s grandest stages so close to home was a dream come true.
“I’ve tried out for this [TUF] twice before, but everything happens for a reason,” Hassan said. “To do it this way, represent American Top Team and fight in your own gym, is one of the great blessings.”
