PFL MENA is set to launch its 2026 season in Dubai, with the event scheduled for Sunday, May 24th, at the Coca-Cola Arena. The action will commence at 5 p.m. GST and will be available for streaming in the region via STARZPLAY. This marks the continuation of PFL MENA’s popular “win-and-advance” tournament format, highlighting fighters from across the Middle East and North Africa. The league, established in 2024 through a partnership with SRJ Sports Investments, continues its collaboration with STARZPLAY as a primary broadcast partner for fans in the MENA region.
PFL MENA in Dubai
The main event will feature a featherweight quarterfinal bout between local favorite Mohammad “The UAE Warrior” Yahya and Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi. Yahya, holding a professional record of 12 wins and 6 losses, will be making his PFL debut on home turf, providing a strong local narrative for the Dubai audience. Saadi enters the tournament with a record of 6 wins and 2 losses, aiming to advance in the 2026 featherweight bracket.
The co-main event also holds significant tournament importance, with Morocco’s Salah “Supersalah” Eddine Hamli (undefeated at 11-0) facing Algeria’s Ylies “Broly” Djiroun (24-9) in a lightweight quarterfinal. Hamli, known for his perfect record, is a fighter to watch, while Djiroun brings considerable cage experience to the matchup.
Another highly anticipated participant is Emirati prospect Zamzam Al Hammadi, who is slated for a women’s strawweight amateur showcase bout. Al Hammadi joined PFL MENA in April 2025, having garnered recognition through her achievements in youth MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She is a two-time youth world champion and made history as the first Emirati woman to win an IMMAF Youth World Championship in 2023. Her participation in Dubai adds another compelling homegrown story to the event.
The undercard is packed with additional tournament bouts and showcase fights. In the featherweight division, Hamza Kooheji will compete against Taha Bendaoud. The lightweight tournament features matchups including Mohammad Fahmi vs. Assem Ghanem, Ahmed El Sisy vs. Harda Karim, and Georges Eid vs. Hussein Fakher. Additional showcase bouts include Abdullah Saleem vs. Basel Shalaan (lightweight), Hamad Marhoon vs. Saher Qasmieh (flyweight), Ahmed Albrahim vs. Khaled Mahmoud (welterweight amateur), and Butti Suwaid Alameri in a featherweight amateur showcase against an unannounced opponent.
The Coca-Cola Arena, a prominent indoor venue in Dubai located in City Walk, is easily accessible from the Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa Metro Station. Attendees are advised to anticipate potential traffic due to the arena’s 17,000-person capacity. The venue is accessible via Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Road and offers paid parking, nearby public parking options, taxi services, and a dedicated drop-off zone.
This PFL MENA season opener serves a dual purpose: initiating a new tournament season and capitalizing on the local market by featuring prominent fighters like Yahya and Al Hammadi in Dubai. With athletes representing various nations, the event aligns with the league’s regional focus while offering UAE fans a card that resonates with familiar names.