Focused AlHyasat ready to renew title hopes as PFL MENA 2 begins
Ayeni Olusegun
DOHA
Jordan's Abdelrahman 'Cobra' AlHyasat is determined to redeem himself after a dramatic and disappointing end to his 2024 MMA campaign.
The featherweight star is set to return to the cage as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns to the Middle East for PFL MENA 2 on May 9 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Alhyasat who was on course for a marquee clash against Saudi own Abdullah Al Qahtani for the inaugural PFL MENA Featherweight belt in November last year, but he was forced to pull out after he failed to make weight and suffered a serious health scare.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, the charismatic Alhyasat said despite warnings from his coach and team, the outcome of his weigh-in failure solely lies with him.
'During weight cut, everything was going according to plan,' he said. 'But I made a terrible decision. Everyone, including my coach, warned me not to. He even said he'd leave the room if I went through with it. But I was completely exhausted and struggling to breathe, so I drank a 100ml Red Bull.'
Unfortunately for the Jordanian, that mistake nearly cost him more than just the fight.
'As soon as I got into the hot tub, my heart started racing. I thought I was going to die. Thankfully, my team reacted quickly and called an ambulance. At the hospital, I was treated with saline water, IV and oxygen. The doctor told me I wasn't fit to fight,' AlHyasat recalled.
Al Qahtani went on to win the featherweight title after defeating Alhyasat's replacement Morocco's Marouane Bellagouit in the first round. For Alhyasat, many questioned if he was truly injured, a misconception the combative 5-0 featherweight said hurt him not only physically.
'Many fans don't understand what goes on outside the cage. They don't realise this game is dangerous,' he said.
'They said things about me like how much money I was paid and why I pulled out of the fight. I wanted to go crazy.'
Following the backlash, Alhyasat took an extended vacation which he called 'refreshing.'
Now, with a renewed sense of focus and a point to prove, Cobra is ready to reignite his championship ambitions in Jeddah as he opens his season against Taha Bendaoud.
'Last year broke my heart. All my plans, goals disappeared in one moment. All from my mistake. I need to be the first one to care about my dreams and goals. People around you can help push you to the top, but you need to have the desires inside to be there.
'This is 2025 now, I don't care about other fighters. I have my opponent now (Bendaoud), and I'm going to smash him. Anyone who faces me inside the cage will be my next prey and I will make them cry. I'm going to be happy and celebrate with my team. That's the only thing I know,' Alhyasat added.
Personal ambitions aside, Alhyasat praised the PFL's presence in the MENA region, calling the promotion's presence a game changer and a spark.
'PFL MENA came to the Arab world and moved MMA in the region to the top. Right now, everybody in Jordan and in the Middle East know about the PFL and MMA.
'They watch the fights, they know the fighters, and they have realised what sport truly means.'
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