The Professional Fighters League launched its 2026 PFL MENA season at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, presenting an evening filled with tournament matchups, exhibition fights, and potential standout performances from fighters across the region.
In the main event of the featherweight tournament, the United Arab Emirates’ own Mohammad Yahya faced off against Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi in a high-stakes bout to conclude the night. Both competitors aimed to make a significant early impact in the bracket, with the outcome expected to heavily influence the path to the featherweight final.
PFL MENA 9: Pride of Arabia Recap
The co-main event showcased a lightweight tournament quarterfinal between the undefeated Salah Eddine Hamli of Morocco and Algeria’s Ylies Djiroun. Hamli sought to maintain his impressive streak as a rising talent in the division, while Djiroun aimed to leverage his experience to disrupt Hamli’s progress and advance to the semifinals.
Another featherweight tournament quarterfinal saw Hamza Kooheji compete against Taha Bendaoud in a crucial opening-round encounter. With a spot in the semi-finals on the line, both fighters had an opportunity to solidify their positions in what was a highly competitive division on the card.
The highly anticipated PFL MENA debut of rising Emirati prospect Zamzam Al Hammadi took place in a women’s strawweight amateur showcase against Abeer Mansour. Competing on home soil, Al Hammadi’s appearance was one of the most closely watched showcase bouts of the evening.
In a lightweight tournament quarterfinal, Mohammad Fahmi battled Assem Ghanem for a place in the semifinals. Both fighters aimed to capitalize on the opportunity and establish themselves as early contenders in the division.
Ahmed El Sisy and Harda Karim clashed in another lightweight tournament quarterfinal with significant implications for the bracket’s progression. Following adjustments to the fight card, Basel Shalaan and Abdullah Saleem were also elevated to compete in an official lightweight tournament quarterfinal bout, further intensifying the night’s lightweight offerings.
In flyweight showcase action, Hamad Marhoon faced Saher Qasmieh in what was anticipated to be a dynamic contest. Additionally, Ahmed Albrahim and Ibrahim Mahmoud met in a welterweight showcase bout, while Butti Suwaid Alameri and Hamada Osman opened the event with a featherweight amateur showcase.
PFL MENA: DUBAI – PRIDE OF ARABIA FIGHT RESULTS
- Mehdi Saadi (7-2) defeated Mohammad Yahya (12-7) by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28).
- Ylies Djiroun (25-9) def. Salah Eddine Hamli (11-1) via TKO (punches) at 4:20 of Round 1.
- Hamza Kooheji (15-4) def. Taha Bendaoud (5-2) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
- Zamzam Al Hammadi (3-0) def. Abeer Mansour (2-2) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) (Amateur bout).
- Basel Shalaan (6-1) def. Abdullah Saleem (6-2) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
- Ahmed El Sisy (8-2) def. Harda Karim (5-3) by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
- Saher Qasmieh (3-0) def. Hamad Marhoon (1-1) by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
- Ahmed Albrahim (1-0) def. Ibrahim Mahmoud (0-1) via TKO (ground and pound) at 2:47 of Round 3.
- Butti Suwaid Alameri (1-0) def. Hamada Osman (3-2) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) (Amateur bout).