RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Middle East’s premier MMA platform, PFL MENA, roared into The Green Halls in Riyadh with a night full of high-stakes action, decisive finishes, and regional history-makers. With Semifinal spots on the line, fighters left it all in the cage and gave the Saudi crowd plenty to cheer about.
El Dafrawy Steals the Show in Main Event
Omar El Dafrawy (14-5), the 2024 PFL MENA Welterweight Champion, reminded fans why he wears the crown, submitting Daniele Miceli (13-7, 1 NC) with a slick triangle choke just 1:15 into the first round. Though Miceli landed the early takedown, he quickly fell into El Dafrawy’s trap, tapping out before the two-minute mark.
Alaqraa Advances with Dominant Performance
In the co-main event, 2024 finalist Mohammad Alaqraa (8-1) returned to form with a clean 30-27 unanimous decision win over Omar Hussein (11-7). Controlling the pace from start to finish, Alaqraa’s well-rounded attack earned him a shot at redemption in the Semifinals, where he’ll face the surging Mohamed Zarey.
History Made: Hattan Alsaif Delivers in Front of Home Fans
Saudi trailblazer Hattan Alsaif (4-0 AM) continued her rise in the amateur Atomweight ranks, stopping Nour Al Fliti (1-2 AM) by second-round TKO. The injury stoppage, caused by relentless knees and kicks, marked yet another milestone in Alsaif’s inspirational journey—and the growth of women’s MMA in the region.
More Semifinalists Emerge in Welterweight and Bantamweight Divisions
- Mohamed Zarey (10-1) impressed in his PFL debut with a unanimous decision win over Ayman Galal, overcoming a tough first round to dominate late. He’ll now meet Alaqraa in a can’t-miss semifinal matchup.
- Xavier Alaoui (16-6) used his Tristar Gym wrestling pedigree to control and shut out Ziad Ayman (6-2) in their bantamweight clash. He now faces Islam Youssef, who shocked the arena with a short-notice, flying knee KO over Benyamin Ghahreman.
- Mokhtar Benkaci (25-9, 2 NC) wasted no time, stopping Marcel Adur (19-8-1) with a devastating body shot TKO just 57 seconds into the opening round. He’ll meet Nawras Abzakh, who battered Ali Yazbeck (5-1-1) with a ferocious flurry to score a second-round KO.
- Badreddine Diani (9-3) returned to the Semifinals with a composed decision win over Ahmed Abdelbast Darwish (4-1) and will now clash in a heated rematch with Amir Fazli (7-3), who flatlined Rostem Akman in the second round with a right hand from hell.
Rising Star Alhyasat Dominates Lightweight Showcase
Abdelrahman Alhyasat (6-0) opened the night with a statement, moving up to lightweight and submitting Anthony Zeidan (5-3) via rear-naked choke at 2:50 of Round 2. The undefeated Jordanian remains one to watch.
As the dust settles in Riyadh, the PFL MENA Semifinals are now set with matchups that promise fireworks. The depth of talent and rapid development across the region show that PFL’s footprint in the Middle East is just beginning to make its mark.
Next stop: The Semifinals.
PFL MENA Riyadh – RESULTS
Showcase Welterweight Bout:
Omar El Dafrawy (14-5) def. Daniele Miceli (13-7, 1 NC) by first-round submission (triangle choke) at 1:15
Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal:
Mohammad Alaqraa (8-1) def. Omar Hussein (11-7) by unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Atomweight Amateur Showcase Bout:
Hattan Alsaif (4-0 AM) def. Nour Al Fliti (1-2 AM) by second round TKO at 2:24
Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal:
Mohamed Zarey (10-1) def. Ayman Galal (4-2, 1 NC) by unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal:
Xavier Alaoui (16-6) def. Ziad Ayman (6-2) by unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal:
Mokhtar Benkaci (25-9, 2 NC) def. Marcel Adur (19-8-1) by first round TKO at 0:57
Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal:
Badreddine Diani (9-3) def. Ahmed Abdelbast Darwish (4-1) by unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal:
Amir Fazli (7-3) def. Rostem Akman (7-4) by second round KO at 1:34.
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal:
Nawras Abzakh (13-6) def. Ali Yazbeck (5-1-1) by second round KO at 0:50
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal:
Islam Youssef (6-2) def. Benyamin Ghahreman (3-1) by second round KO at 3:55
Lightweight Showcase Bout:
Abdelrahman Alhyasat (6-0) def. Anthony Zeidan (5-3) by second round submission (rear naked choke) at 2:50
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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