- Inaugural PFL MENA Championships on Friday, November 29 at King Saud University includes the grand return of Saudi Arabia's Hattan Alsaif on the illustrious card
- PFL World Championships night will also crown six Champions, across men's and women's championship fights
- Tickets are available via webook.com
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (23 November 2024) – With less than a week until the Professional Fighters League (PFL) World Championships, Abdullah Al-Qahtani is confident that the Saudi Arabian fans' support will spur him to success in Riyadh.
Al-Qahtani (9-2) competes in the PFL MENA Featherweight Championship on Friday, November 29 against the man who defeated him in the semi-final in September, Abdelrahman Alhyasat (5-0), following the withdrawal of Islam Reda through injury.
The big fight at King Saud University in Riyadh is just one bout on a night that also includes the PFL World Championships. In partnership between PFL, the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation (SMMAF), this is the first time ever the showpiece occasion has been hosted outside of the USA.
Al-Qahtani said: 'Fighting on home soil with the Saudi crowd behind me will be a strong support as I aim to secure the belt. We've set the right plans for the final. God willing, Abdullah will be the one to crack Alhyasat's code, win, and bring joy to the Saudi audience.'
The 27-year-old featherweight fighter says he has learned from his September defeat to Alhyasat.
Al-Qahtani said: 'Abdelrahman has five victories in his professional career and won the semi-final by unanimous decision. This hasn't put pressure on me or affected my morale. Since the Professional Fighters League announced a month ago that I would be in the final, replacing Islam Reda due to his injury, I've been training intensively to prepare.
'I have nine wins against two losses, and this motivates me to give my best, avenge the semi-final loss, and claim the title. Together with my coaching team, I've analyzed the mistakes I made in the semi-final and focused on the positive aspects of my performance.'
His opponent, however, the Jordanian fighter nicknamed 'The Cobra', plans to uncoil another victory – and insists he is unfazed by the local support for Al-Qahtani.
Alhyasat said: 'I would have preferred to face a different fighter in the final, but Islam Reda's injury led to Al-Qahtani being in the final. I'm comfortable with this matchup; it will be as easy as the semi-final. Fighting on his home turf won't be a source of stress for me. I will repeat my victory over Al Qahtani, just as I did in September.
'I expect Al-Qahtani to change his fighting style for the final. That's why, during my specialized training camp in Thailand, we coordinated with the technical team to study all possibilities and adapt to the flow of the fight.
'The plan we've prepared for the final is flawless and ensures another victory over Al- Qahtani. I will celebrate the belt with my friends in Amman, enjoying Jordanian Mansaf, even if my opponent changes his fighting style.'
In addition to the 2024 PFL MENA Championship in Riyadh, the finest PFL international fighters are battling it out in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, and Women's Flyweight divisions. All are vying for the $1 million dollar purse prize and the right to be called 2024 PFL World Champion.
Headlining the November 29 card at King Saud University is unbeaten Timur 'Imam' Khizriev (17-0), with the Russian fighting a Featherweight Championship bout against the UK's Brendan Loughnane (29-5). In the Women's Flyweight Championship co-main event, Dakota Ditcheva will put her 13-0 record on the line when the English-Bulgarian MMA and former Muay Thai fighter goes head-to-head with Brazilian Taila Santos (22-3).
In addition to the Championship fights, undefeated Saudi Arabian star Hattan Alsaif – who made world history when she became the first female from the Kingdom to sign a contract with a major MMA promoter – fights Algeria's Lilia Osmani.
Tickets are available for a night of championship action via WeBook.com.
Four champions will also be crowned in the Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, and Bantamweight divisions. PFL MENA is creating a pathway for athletes from the region to compete in the PFL Global Season.
The championship bouts, for both the Global Season and PFL MENA, will be five, five-minute rounds, and for the first time in the history of the PFL Championships, the rule set will now allow elbows.
Friday, November 29:
PFL World Championship:
Featherweight World Title: Brendan Loughnane (29-5) vs. Timur Khizriev (17-0)
Women's Flyweight World Title: Dakota Ditcheva (13-0) vs. Taila Santos (22-3)
Light Heavyweight World Title: Impa Kasanganay (18-4) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (24-7-1)
Welterweight World Title: Magomed Umalatov (17-0) vs. Shamil Musaev (19-0-1)
Lightweight World Title: Brent Primus (14-3) vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov (22-4-1)
Heavyweight World Title: Denis Goltsov (34-8) vs. Oleg Popov (19-1)
PFL MENA Championships:
Featherweight MENA Title: Abdelrahman Alhyasat (5-0) vs. Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-2)
Welterweight MENA Title: Mohammad Alaqraa (7-0) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (12-6)
Amateur Women's Atomweight: Hattan Alsaif vs. Lilia Osmani
Bantamweight MENA Title: Ali Taleb (11-1) vs. Rachid El Hazoume (15-3)
Lightweight MENA Title: Mohsen Mohammadseifi (6-1) vs. Georges Eid (10-4)
Showcase Fights:
Lightweight: Mansour Barnaoui (21-6) vs. Alfie Davis (17-4-1)
Heavyweight: Slim Trabelsi (7-0) vs. Abraham Bably (5-0)
Featherweight: Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (19-4)
Featherweight: Asael Adjoudj (8-1) vs. Jose Perez (9-1)
Middleweight: Costello van Steenis (15-3) vs. Joao Dantas (7-1)
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