He only knew that. He was made for this. Son of a sanda trainer, immersed in the world of martial arts since his early childhood, Zakaria Hamou could only be a fighter. And an excellent one. Multiple French champion and 4th in the world in this Chinese discipline in 2023, the pure product of Colombes (Hauts-de-Seine) has only experienced defeat on rare occasions. And this is still the case in his second career, in MMA.
This Friday, the man nicknamed “Tarzan” (24 years old) will fight in front of his audience, during Arès 38 at the Adidas Arena. An important meeting against the German Abubakar Khasiev, who can give him a fifth victory in as many professional fights. Confirmation of an incredible potential that has been brewing in Île-de-France for more than 20 years.
“I started around 3 years old in my father’s club in Courbevoie,” remembers Zakaria Hamou. He had competed in the 1980s and 1990s and he quickly took me to his classes. I was immediately hooked because it allowed me to create a strong bond with him. And then as I was a little hyperactive, like many children, it tired me and calmed me down. »
“I always knew I wanted to do MMA”
Rapidly, the Ile-de-France region is progressing. The hours spent in the club allow him to develop his talent and sharpen his techniques. “I had classes from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and I stayed at the club afterwards,” he says. I slept on the tatami while my father trained the adults until 10 p.m. My whole youth was like that, it made me grow up faster, I was constantly immersed in this world from 4 years old to 19 years old. »
The results follow. On the national and international scene. French champion among cadets, juniors and seniors, Zakaria Hamou flew with the French team to the World Sanda Championships in Dallas, Texas, when he turned 18. He finished in 4th place, before hanging up his big gloves to put on his MMA mitts.
“I felt that I had covered the discipline, I wanted to go to a sport where I could be free, do what I want,” explains the Frenchman. It was the right time. Anyway, I always knew I wanted to do MMA in my life, I was just waiting for the right moment. And after these World Championships, it was perfect. »
Mixed martial arts are in fact less restrictive than sanda. While in Chinese discipline the fight stops when one of the fighters is on the ground, it continues until submission in MMA. “I wanted to let the horses go, to have little gloves, to be in a cage. Being the man of the evening, making people vibrate, that was a dream for me,” smiles Zakaria Hamou.
In training with Parnassus and Lapilus
The successes follow one another quickly. From 2022, “Tarzan” accumulates amateur fights, with four victories in 13 months and six fights. Enough to stop his osteopathy studies, he who was a brilliant student. “I got 20/20 in the French baccalaureate, 15/20 on average, having practiced every day and without revising every evening,” he emphasizes. I tried higher education for my mother, who didn’t have the opportunity to do so as she comes from Algeria, but I quickly saw that I didn’t want to do that with my life. »
After two years as an amateur, Zakaria Hamou turned professional in June 2024, at age 22, with a first fight at Hexagone MMA. “It was at the Zénith in Paris, against a good opponent who came from Chechnya,” he remembers. I was really able to discover the professional world, that it was a spectator sport where people pay for their place and they have to be satisfied. And I felt that I had a style that appealed to the public. »
A style shaped alongside some of the best French fighters: Salahdine Parnasse and Taylor Lapilus. “Being alongside the best -66 kg and the best -61 kg in Europe, there is nothing better,” believes the Frenchman. They taught me the rigor of training, hard work, combat intelligence, the need to surround yourself well. I grew up a lot alongside them, it was really rewarding. »
With this experience and his perfect professional record (4-0), Zakaria Hamou is now ready to continue his progress. With huge dreams. “I don’t have too many long-term plans but I want to be world champion and be rich,” laughs the Ile-de-France resident. And like the best, they are in the UFC, that’s where I have to go.”
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