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Arab News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
‘More than I imagined': Saudi's Ahmed Makki, Malik Basahel bask in impressive PFL MENA wins at home
JEDDAH: The second season of PFL MENA got off to an exciting start at the weekend with wins for local favorites, and fighters in the featherweight and lightweight divisions advancing to the playoffs. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport In the main event at the Onyx Arena, 2024 PFL lightweight champion Mohsen Mohammadseifi of Iran beat Egypt's Ahmed El-Sisy by unanimous decision to advance to the semifinals. Mohammadseifi leaned on his striking in the early rounds before shifting gears and showcasing his grappling in the final frame to seal the victory. In the co-main event, PFL MENA newcomer Salah Eddine Hamli of Morocco clinched a spot in the lightweight semifinals with a slick third-round submission victory over Bahrain's Abbas Khan. Taha Bendaoud of Morocco needed just over two minutes to put away Boualem Drissi of Algeria by submission and secure his spot in the featherweight semifinals. Malik Basahel of Saudi Arabia made a statement in his professional debut, scoring a second-round TKO win over Algeria's Mountasser Boutouta in a showcase flyweight bout. Basahel said: 'I felt good in there during the fight, I trained hard and well for this fight with my team down at AVT Leeds, so I came in prepared and ready. 'There's not much difference from amateur and pro, just probably the rules set and the extra two minutes in the round but a fight is still just a fight at the end of the day.' He added: 'I'm always going in a fight knowing I'm going to win, even if the first round is not going my way. 'I'm always confident I can turn the fight around if I have to, but for this fight I would say halfway through the first round I figured out the distance and what he wanted to do and managed to overcome that and get the win.' Displaying sharp, well-rounded striking, Basahel picked Boutouta apart with punches, knees and kicks. He sealed the deal in the second round with a perfectly timed knee, followed by a flurry of ground-and-pound to force the stoppage. A commanding performance from bell to bell earned Egypt's Assem Ghanem a spot in the featherweight semifinals, as he smothered Hussein Salem of Iraq over three rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory. Islam Reda of Egypt punched his way into the featherweight semifinals with a crushing third-round TKO win over Algeria's Akram Nasri. There was no stopping Reda after getting into full mount in the final round, as he unloaded a barrage of punches to get the win. Mohammad Fahmi of Iraq also secured a spot in the lightweight semifinals with a dominant performance, submitting Georges Eid of Lebanon via Anaconda Choke at the 3:12 mark in the first round. In the final fight of his MMA career, Ahmed Makki of Saudi Arabia went out with a bang, as he notched a third-round Heel-Hook submission win over Hasham Elnamer of Egypt in a showcase lightweight bout. 'It was more than I imagined,' Makki said. 'To go out there and perform the way I did, in front of such an incredible crowd, meant everything to me. 'I wanted my last fight to be a statement, not just for myself, but for everyone who's supported me throughout the years. I'm proud that I was able to end my career on a high note.' 'Retirement doesn't mean stepping away from the sport completely,' he added. 'I'm excited to focus on mentoring young talent, possibly coaching, and working on projects that help grow MMA in the region, especially here in Saudi Arabia. 'I'm also diving deeper into social media to connect with fans and share more behind-the-scenes content, as well as doing fight analysis and commentary. It's a new chapter but still rooted in the sport I love.' Souhil Tairi of Algeria also advanced to the lightweight semifinals with a spectacular second-round TKO over Kuwait's Abdullah Saleem. A devastating knee to the body spelled the beginning of the end for Saleem, as Tairi followed up with vicious strikes on the ground to score the win. Eman Almudhaf of Kuwait remained undefeated in her MMA career with a win over Shamara Braga of Brazil in a showcase women's featherweight bout. Almudhaf bucked a slow opening round and put the pressure on Braga in the second and third rounds to earn a split decision victory. In the opening bout of the night, Abdulaziz Al-Moammar of Saudi Arabia beat Fares Hamdani of Algeria in an amateur showcase bout. Al-Moammar was the more aggressive fighter throughout the three-round contest, using his grappling to control the pace en route to a unanimous decision win. The featherweight tournament's co-main event between Jordan's Izzeddine Al-Derbani and Yanis Ghemmouri of Algeria was canceled after Al-Derbani was deemed unable to compete due to medical reasons.
Al Arabiya
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
PFL MENA 2 in Jeddah: Fighters ready for combat in Saudi Arabia's ‘birthplace of MMA'
Three Saudi Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters are ready to take the ring as Season 2 of PFL MENA kicks off on May 9 in Jeddah – the 'birthplace of MMA' in the Kingdom. The highly-anticipated event, held in partnership with Jeddah Season, will take place at Jeddah's Onyx Arena. After conquering the Saudi Games 2024 and collecting titles across boxing, sambo, and sanda, Abdulaziz Bin Moammar will return to the cage in his hometown for his PFL debut. 'Jeddah is the birthplace of MMA in Saudi Arabia, and its crowd is knowledgeable and passionate. This tournament in Jeddah will be special, as the city has hosted many major events before,' he told Al Arabiya English. Meanwhile, Saudi MMA pioneer Ahmed Makki is set to step into the ring for one final time. He said that ending his professional career in Jeddah – his hometown – only felt right. 'I chose to have my final professional fight in my hometown, Jeddah, in front of my people and the Saudi audience. Participating in PFL in Jeddah is a great addition to my career after competing and succeeding in both international and local events,' he told Al Arabiya English. 'I'm happy to end my journey in a championship hosted by my own city. It's time to pass the torch to the new generation—there are many Saudi talents capable of shining on the global stage,' he added. With an IMMAF World Silver Medal and 21 amateur wins (13 finishes), Saudi Arabia's Malik Basahel will bring championship pedigree to his professional debut. 'I'm preparing for my first professional fight after 25 amateur bouts, where I won 21 times. This motivates me to perform at my best and enter the professional scene with strength,' he said. 'Every fighter has a different style, but the most important thing is inner focus and the ability to react instantly to the opponent's moves,' he emphasized. Following a successful inaugural season in 2024, the second edition of PFL MENA aims to further expand MMA in the Middle East by highlighting local talent and providing regional fighters a clear pathway to international recognition and success, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) said in a statement shared with Al Arabiya English. Speaking to Al Arabiya English recently, PFL MENA's General Manager Jerome Mazet said: 'Jeddah Season's trust in PFL is a testament to the incredible success of PFL MENA Season 1 and the growing impact of our league in the region.' The event will be available for viewing on STARZPLAY, following PFL's multi-year partnership with the leading subscription video-on-demand service in the Middle East and North Africa region.
FACT
20-03-2025
- Sport
- FACT
PFL MENA returns to the Kingdom as part of Jeddah Season
This year, the tournament will shine a spotlight on Saudi talent. Saudi Arabia has rapidly become a powerhouse in the global sports scene. The Kingdom has played host to numerous high-profile fighting and MMA events, and now, the excitement continues. The Professional Fighters League (PFL MENA) is returning to Saudi Arabia, and this time, it is bringing all the action to Jeddah. Taking place on 9 May, PFL MENA Season 2 will kick off at the Onyx Arena. Following a successful debut in 2024, the Professional Fighters League is teaming up with Jeddah Season, promising a tournament that's bigger and better than before. One of the standout features this season is the focus on local fighters, particularly those from Jeddah. You can look forward to witnessing rising star Malik Basahel making his professional debut, while seasoned veteran Ahmed Makki will enter the cage for his final bout. For the first time ever, four Saudi fighters will feature on the fight card, which showcases Saudi Arabia's growing presence in the MMA world. Jeddah is no stranger to MMA. It hosted its first major fighting event back in 2014. Now, with the success of PFL MENA in Riyadh, the tournament is set to make its way to the Red Sea city and reignite its passion for the sport. With the atmosphere of Jeddah Season as the backdrop, this collaboration with PFL MENA is perfectly poised to captivate MMA fans and serve as a launchpad for regional fighters vying for international glory. Tickets to PFL MENA go live on 25 March. So, if you want to witness the action firsthand, Jeddah is about to be the centre of the MMA world, and you won't want to miss it. GO: Visit for more information.
Al Arabiya
18-03-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
PFL MENA returns to Saudi Arabia in partnership with Jeddah Season
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced that Season 2 of PFL MENA will kick off in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah as part of a partnership with Jeddah Season. The second edition of PFL MENA will take place on May 9 at Jeddah's Onyx Arena. Following a successful inaugural season in 2024, the second edition of PFL MENA aims to further expand mixed martial arts (MMA) in the Middle East by highlighting local talent and providing regional fighters a clear pathway to international recognition and success, the PFL said in a statement shared with Al Arabiya English. The PFL MENA partnership with Jeddah Season will help elevate the MMA sport in the Middle East by integrating world-class fights into one of Saudi Arabia's biggest cultural and entertainment festivals, the statement added. Speaking to Al Arabiya English, PFL MENA's General Manager Jerome Mazet said: 'Jeddah Season's trust in PFL is a testament to the incredible success of PFL MENA Season 1 and the growing impact of our league in the region,' General Manager Jerome Mazet told Al Arabiya English. 'The region is a growing powerhouse for combat sports, and with the support of our partners, we are committed to delivering another world-class event, showcasing the best local talents in MENA, and further solidifying the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia as a global hub for MMA,' he added. This collaboration aims to bring the excitement of MMA to a broader audience while providing a platform for regional fighters to showcase their skills, according to the league. A city rich in MMA history, Jeddah hosted its first major MMA event in 2014, and PFL MENA aims to reignite the city's MMA scene this year, the statement continued. PFL MENA will also continue to celebrate local Middle Eastern talent, as the season will honor fighters who call Jeddah home. This includes Malik Basahel, who will make his professional debut, and Ahmed Makki, who will be competing in his final professional bout. The opening event in Jeddah features the return of PFL world champions to the league. Also, for the first time ever, four Saudi Arabian fighters will be on the card, making history for the region. 'Jeddah is home to a number of amazing fighters and has a strong fanbase, so we're excited and grateful to bring the sport of MMA back to this incredible city,' Mazet said.
Arab News
18-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
PFL MENA returns to Saudi Arabia as part of Jeddah Season
JEDDAH: The Professional Fighters League has announced that season two of PFL MENA will kick off at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah on Friday, May 9. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Following a successful debut in 2024, the second season aims to expand mixed martial arts in the Middle East by highlighting local talent and providing fighters a pathway to international success. This season, PFL MENA will be partnering with Jeddah Season to elevate the sport of MMA in the Middle East. The organization will also continue to promote Middle Eastern talent, with the inclusion of Jeddah-based fighters. This includes debutant Malik Basahel (21-3-1), and Ahmed Makki, who will be competing in his final professional bout. 'We're very excited to be coming back for a second season and expanding our reach to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,' said Jerome Mazet, PFL MENA's general manager. 'Jeddah is home to a number of amazing fighters and has a strong fanbase, so we're excited and grateful to bring the sport of MMA back to this incredible city.' He said last season 'was a massive success' that elevated the sport and created 'stars that represent the quality and level of Middle Eastern MMA. 'We cannot wait to put on even more amazing events and build even more stars this year.' Tickets will be available from Tuesday, March 25.
