Latest news with #Bendaoud
Qatar Tribune
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
PFL MENA: No pressure here, says Bendaoud
Ayeni Olusegun Jeddah Morocco's Taha 'Atlas Lion' Bendaoud has shrugged off talk of pressure as he prepares to step into the cage at PFL MENA Season 2, set for May 9 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Bendaoud made a stunning return to MMA last year with a victory over Tariq Ismail on the Battle of the Giants fight card. A striking specialist, he has remained unbeaten since losing his amateur debut and has yet to suffer a defeat in his professional career. Speaking ahead of his fight on Friday, Bendaoud said, 'It's just a belt, and I have already won three in my career. This is just another one for the collection.' 'I feel like my last fight was even more pressured. I was in one of the biggest cards, maybe the biggest card in PFL history. That was a lot of pressure. I was not even ready then like I am now. Now it's just a fight, a start for me. It feels like the first fight for a new chapter.' The Moroccan, who has overcome personal hurdles including health scares and mental health struggles, says he is now in a much better place, both physically and mentally. 'Life is not always butterflies. Sometimes we have hard moments, and I had my part of it,' Bendaoud said. 'I have suffered hard moments in my life and thank God everything is good now. I'm feeling ready and mentally sharp. The last time I fought here, I literally trained like a few weeks before the fight. I was not in a good shape. Now I really had a proper camp, I'm mentally clear and physically, so sharp. I feel better than when I was 20 years old, and I'm just ready to show you guys what I have,' he added. With physical and mental struggles behind him, Bendaoud says he's chasing more than belts, but 'excellence.' Bendaoud steps into the cage looking to make a statement, not just with a win, but with a performance that reflects the journey he's fought to overcome. 'My goal is not PFL MENA belt, PFL belt, not even the UFC belt. My goal is just to prove that I'm the best, and I want to be the best ever. So, it's just chasing excellence, this is what I'm looking for. I'm going into the cage the same way I go to the gym. I'm going to enjoy that moment and have fun. I trained and sparred with the best in the world; this is not new for me,' he added. Bendaoud will have to restrategise for Friday's bout after his scheduled opponent Abdelrahman Alhyasat failed to make weight. He has been replaced by Algeria's Boualem Drissi.
Arab News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Alhyasat to face Bendaoud in featherweight quarterfinal at 2025 PFL MENA
JEDDAH: The 2025 PFL MENA season kicks off on May 9 with Jordan's Abdelrahman Alhyasat facing Taha Bendaoud of Morocco in the quarterfinals of the featherweight tournament at Onyx Arena in Jeddah. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Last season, Alhyasat was a revelation at 145 pounds, picking up impressive wins over Ahmed Tarek and eventual champion Abdullah Al-Qahtani to reach the final round, before being forced to withdraw due to injury. Now back to full health, the 35-year-old is planning to get back to the top of the mountain and claim the title that many fans believe should have been his in the first place. 'This tournament is a pivotal moment in my professional career. It's not just another fight — it's a step toward something much bigger,' Alhyasat said. 'Thanks to God, I'm more than ready for this league. I've worked hard to reach this level, and I believe my skill set is above everyone else in the division.' After last season's dominant win over Al-Qahtani, Alhyasat is coming into the new season with a lot of confidence on his side. 'I'm entering the cage with full confidence and a clear goal: to achieve another milestone for Jordan,' he said. For this season, Alhyasat spent time training in Thailand and said that there he sharpened every aspect of his game, working with coaches from every discipline. 'Right now, I'm in Phuket, training with some of the best coaches in the world. I've surrounded myself with specialists in boxing, wrestling, and grappling to make sure no detail is left behind,' Alhyasat said. 'This camp has been the most intense and focused of my career — it's about refining every part of my game so I can perform at my best when it matters most.' But Alhyasat will have his work cut out for him when he takes on a highly rated PFL MENA newcomer in Moroccan Taha Bendaoud. 'Bendaoud is a strong opponent, and I respect his skills,' said Alhyasat. 'He's not far off in level from someone like Abdullah Al-Qahtani. He's got the talent, no doubt.' While Alhyasat has nothing but respect, the Jordanian said that he has faced Bendaoud before and knows exactly what he brings to the table. 'I've faced him before and come out on top. I know where his weaknesses are, and I've trained specifically to exploit them,' Alhyasat said. 'I've prepared a game plan that leaves no room for mistakes.' As for a fight prediction, Alhyasat sees this one being over quickly. 'This fight will end in the first round, God willing. I'm ready to send a message to everyone in the division,' he said. While Bendaoud will be making his PFL MENA debut, this will not be his first time inside the PFL SmartCage. The undefeated Moroccan is 4-0 in his fledgling career, and was initially supposed to be part of the inaugural PFL MENA season, but missed weight for his season debut, and ended up being forced off the tournament altogether. He bounced back in spectacular fashion with a second-round submission win over the more experienced Tariq Ismail at Battle of the Giants in October. The impressive win over the previously undefeated Ismail became sort of an audition for this year's PFL MENA season, and his reward is a quarterfinal bout against the man who dominated the division's champion. With a second chance at becoming a PFL MENA champion, Bendaoud said he is ready for another opportunity. 'I'm having the best fight camp of my life. I've been training twice a day since my last fight, and I feel like I've evolved in every part of my game. I'm excited to step in there and show the PFL fans what I've been working on.' Bendaoud added that the missed opportunity in Season 1 was a big learning experience. 'In Season 1, I wasn't in shape and I couldn't make weight. I missed a big opportunity, but it taught me a lot,' he said. 'Since then, I've been working really hard to be at my best. I'm on weight and more focused than ever.' Against Alhyasat, Bendaoud admitted that he will be sharing the SmartCage with a tough opponent. '(Alhyasat) is a solid, well-rounded fighter with a lot of experience,' he said. 'I respect his skills and I think it's a great challenge.' But Bendaoud believes that he can hang with Alhyasat, no matter what situation their fight brings. 'I feel confident in every area: striking, grappling, wrestling. I'm prepared for whatever comes and ready to perform at a high level,' Bendaoud said. While Bendaoud is not one for predictions, what he guarantees is that he will give his best and that the fans can expect a great fight. 'I don't like to make predictions, but I can promise this: I'll give my best, fight with heart and confidence, and leave it all in there. The rest is in Allah's hands, He's the best of planners.' 'We're going to put on a great show for the fans,' Bendaoud said.
