Latest news with #PFLMENA1
Arab News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
‘I want to be the best': Kuwait's Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah
JEDDAH: Undefeated Kuwaiti mixed martial arts standout Eman Almudhaf is determined to be victorious in her long-awaited SmartCage debut at PFL MENA 1 on May 9 at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The card for the PFL MENA's highly-anticipated second season in Jeddah features an exciting crop of newcomers, which includes Almudhaf, who faces fellow PFL debutant Shamara Braga from Brazil in a women's featherweight showcase bout. The 32-year-old Almudhaf owns a pristine 4-0 professional MMA record, with all her wins coming by way of stoppage. Ahead of her maiden appearance, the UAE Warriors veteran has made her goals clear: 'I want to be the best.' While it may sound like a lofty goal, it is one that Almudhaf expects out of herself, especially since she has already made history as the first female fighter from Kuwait to join the PFL. More than just the distinction of being the first, Almudhaf is proud to be blazing a path for athletes like herself. 'Being the first Kuwaiti female fighter in the PFL is great, of course. 'We're showing that we belong in this sport at the highest level, just as much as anyone,' she said. Almudhaf relishes the opportunity, especially since she was a witness to PFL MENA's immensely successful first season. 'I did follow some of the fights, especially when the Kuwaiti fighters were on. I did follow last season's finals as well,' she revealed. 'I'm impressed by the level of talent and how fast the league is growing.' 'I'm very excited to be part of the biggest show in the Middle East right now,' she added. In her first assignment under the PFL MENA banner, Almudhaf will take on a dangerous and significantly more experienced fighter in Braga, who owns a 5-3 professional record. While her opponent has had more fights, Almudhaf is unfazed. 'My opponent looks tough and has double the cage experience I have, but technically and tactically, I believe that I'm better in all aspects of the game,' she said. 'I predict a dominant performance.' Almudhaf will not have the luxury of a full fight camp for her PFL debut, but she is confident that her years of work have prepared her well for this opportunity. 'Though it was a relatively short-notice fight, I have always been training and staying ready for any opportunity that comes,' she explained. 'I can't wait to show all the work I've put in, not just for this fight but from all my years of training.' While Almudhaf hails from Kuwait, she sharpens her skills in the UK, training out of the famed London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team stables. 'I'm incredibly proud to represent Kuwait and the MENA region, as well as both my teams in the UK, London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team,' she shared. Almudhaf hopes she can become an inspiration for another generation of Kuwaiti athletes. 'If I had any advice, it would be to stay focused, work hard, and don't let anyone limit you.' She added: 'Yes, of course, there are many challenges, different ones at each stage of my career, but I believe that having the belief in myself, a big passion for the sport, and a strong team around me helps me face any obstacle along the way.'
Arab News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Trio of Saudi fighters looking to shine at PFL MENA 1 in Jeddah
JEDDAH: PFL MENA will begin its second season at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah on May 9 with a trio of fighters from the Kingdom looking to leave their mark in front of the home crowd. When Malik Basahel, Abdulaziz bin Moammar and Ahmed Makki make their respective entrances into the world-famous PFL SmartCage, it will symbolize a different chapter in each of their careers. For Basahel, PFL MENA 1 in Jeddah will mark the beginning of his professional mixed martial arts career. The 23-year-old will be competing in his first pro fight when he takes on Mountasser Boutouta in a Flyweight Showcase bout. 'I'm preparing for my first professional fight after 25 amateur bouts, where I won 21 times,' said Basahel, who has put together an impressive 21-3-1 amateur slate, which includes five wins by KO/TKO and eight wins by submission. While this will not be Basahel's first trip to the PFL SmartCage, it will be arguably his most important, as he makes the jump to the professional ranks in front of a Saudi crowd. 'This motivates me to perform at my best and make a strong entry into the professional scene,' Basahel said. While this will be Basahel's first pro outing, his vast amateur experience has been a huge learning experience, as he details what he needs to do to score his first career win. '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 said. For his training regimen, Basahel says that he sticks to a strict routine and highlights the importance of the right attitude. 'Discipline and consistency are keys to success. You need a structured training schedule — not three days on and two days off. 'Stick to a strict training program for months if you want to succeed in combat sports.' For Abdulaziz bin Moammar, the amateur journey continues, but this time he will be competing on the biggest stage he has ever been on. With a 10-3 record as an amateur, the Saudi native will start the PFL MENA 1 card against Fares Hamdani in an amateur Catchweight contest. 'This tournament in Jeddah will be special, as the city has hosted many major events before,' Moammar said. 'Jeddah is the birthplace of MMA in Saudi Arabia, and its crowd is knowledgeable and passionate.' While still competing as an amateur, Moammar is already making sure that his tools are well-sharpened as he continues down a path that will eventually lead to a promising professional career. 'I'm always working to become more complete — better on the ground and in striking — through experience and sparring with champions,' he said. Whenever he steps inside the cage, Moammar says that he does not just go out there for himself. 'Victory is always my goal because I represent not just myself, but my family, supporters and country. That's a big responsibility,' he said. While PFL MENA 1 may be a starting point for some and a continuation of the journey for others, the card will mark the end of the line for Makki, one of Saudi Arabian MMA's true pioneers. Makki turned pro in 2014 and compiled a 1-3-1 professional record, with appearances under the Desert Force, Phoenix FC and Brave CF promotions. Competing for the first time since 2018, Makki returns for his final bout on the biggest stage of his career. 'I'm one of the first fighters to start this sport in Saudi Arabia and I witnessed how combat sports evolved in The Kingdom,' Makki said. 'I chose to have my final professional fight in my hometown of Jeddah, in front of my people and the Saudi audience.' While Makki's fighting resume may not be as lengthy as the other fighters that have come after him, he is glad that he can include a PFL appearance in his list of accomplishments before calling it a day. 'I'm happy to end my journey in a championship event hosted by my own city,' he said. 'Participating in the PFL in Jeddah is a great addition to my career after competing and succeeding in both international and local events.' For international regional tournaments, one of the PFL's main goals is to be able to shine the spotlight on up-and-coming local talent, giving them a pathway to international glory and success. For Makki, he relishes the opportunity to be one of those passing the torch to the next generation of MMA stars from Saudi Arabia. 'It's time to pass the torch to the new generation,' he said. 'There are many Saudi talents capable of shining on the global stage.'
Arab News
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Morocco's Salah Eddine Hamli ready to make a mark at PFL MENA in Jeddah
JEDDAH: On May 9 the second season of PFL MENA kicks off in Jeddah with several young fighters battling to make their mark in the sport. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport A new talent is Morocco's Salah Eddine Hamli, who meets Bahrain's Abbas Khan in a lightweight quarterfinal bout. Undefeated in eight professional bouts with five wins by stoppage, Hamli has fought for multiple promotions, most recently with WAR MMA in Spain, where he scored back-to-back unanimous decision wins. Stepping onto the biggest stage of his MMA career, Hamli says that getting to compete in the PFL SmartCage is a dream come true. 'It means a lot to me because it reflects all the hard work I've put in,' Hamli said. 'Having the opportunity to compete in such a big organization like PFL is a dream come true.' Hamli says that he followed the first season of PFL MENA, thanks in large part to compatriot Rachid Haz. Haz fell short of claiming the PFL MENA bantamweight championship, losing by knockout to Ali Taleb in the first round of the finals bout. 'I followed (the first season) especially since Rachid, my fellow Moroccan, made it to the final,' Hamli said. 'Even though he didn't win, we supported him all the way.' 'I'm super prepared and focused, and people are going to see a great show,' Hamli said. 'I believe I'm a complete fighter in every aspect, and I'm very hungry for this.' Hamli knows that Khan will not be an easy assignment. 'He's a good opponent, quite well-rounded. I'm really looking forward to stepping inside the SmartCage with him.' The complete 2025 PFL MENA 1 Fight Card: Featherweight quarterfinal: Abdullah Al-Qahtani (10-2) vs. Islam Reda (12-1) Lightweight quarterfinal: Mohsen Mohammadseifi (7-2) vs. Ahmed El-Sisy (6-1, 1 NC) Lightweight quarterfinal: Salah Eddine Hamli (8-0) vs. Abbas Khan (8-3) Featherweight quarterfinal: Izzedine Al-Derbani (15-5) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (12-3) Flyweight Showcase: Malik Basahel (0-0) vs. Mountasser Boutouta (1-0) Featherweight quarterfinal: Abdelrahman Alyhasat (5-0) vs. Taha Bendaoud (4-0) Featherweight quarterfinal: Hussein Salem (12-5) vs. Assem Ghanem (6-0) Lightweight quarterfinal: Georges Eid (10-5, 1 NC) vs. Mohammad Fahmi (4-0) Lightweight Showcase: Ahmed Makki (1-3-1) vs. Hasham Elnamer (3-0) Lightweight quarterfinal: Abdullah Saleem (5-0, 1 NC) vs. Souhil Tairi (7-6-1) Featherweight Showcase: Youssef Alhosani (4-1) vs. Neder Jeffel (2-0) Amateur catchweight 166 pounds (74kg) Showcase: Abdulaziz bin Moammar (10-3 AM) vs. Fares Hamdani (2-0 AM)
Arab News
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Saudi's Al-Qahtani to headline 2025 PFL MENA 1 as full card announced for Jeddah
JEDDAH: The Professional Fighters League has announced the full fight card for 2025 PFL MENA 1. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport This is the first event for PFL MENA Season 2 and takes place in Jeddah on Friday, May 9. In the main event, 2024 PFL MENA featherweight champion Abdullah 'The Reaper' Al-Qahtani of Saudi Arabia will face Egyptian star Islam 'The Egyptian Zombie' Reda in a crucial quarterfinal matchup. The rematch has been almost seven years in the making, after Al-Qahtani got the win in their first meeting in 2018. Last season, Reda actually earned a spot in the featherweight finals, but withdrew because of injury and was replaced by Al-Qahtani. The card features league debuts for top Middle East talent such as Salah Eddine Hamli of Morocco, Izzeddine Al Derbani of Jordan, Yanis Ghemmouri of Algeria, and Hussein Salam of Iraq. Also making their PFL MENA debuts in showcase bouts will be 2024 Saudi Games champion Abdulaziz Al Moamar of Saudi Arabia and Youssef Alhosani, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion and a highly touted prospect from the UAE. Full fight card for 2025 PFL MENA 1 Featherweight quarterfinal Abdullah Al-Qahtani (10-2) vs. Islam Reda (12-1) Lightweight quarterfinal Mohsen Mohammadseifi (7-2) vs. Ahmed El Sisy (6-1, 1 NC) Lightweight quarterfinal Salah Eddine Hamli (8-0) vs. Abbas Khan (8-3) Featherweight quarterfinal Izzedine Al Derbani (15-5) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (12-3) Flyweight showcase Malik Basahel (0-0) vs. Mountasser Boutouta (1-0) Featherweight quarterfinal Abdelrahman Alyhasat (5-0) vs. Taha Bendaoud (4-0) Featherweight quarterfinal Hussein Salem (12-5) vs. Assem Ghanem (6-0) Lightweight quarterfinal Georges Eid (10-5, 1 NC) vs. Mohammad Fahmi (4-0) Lightweight showcase Ahmed Makki (1-3-1) vs. Hasham Elnamer (3-0) Lightweight quarterfinal Abdullah Saleem (5-0, 1 NC) vs. Souhil Tairi (7-6-1) Featherweight showcase Youssef Alhosani (4-1) vs. Neder Jeffel (2-0) Amateur catchweight (166lbs) showcase Abdulaziz bin Moammar (10-3) vs. Fares Hamdani (2-0)
