Four Divisional Champs Crowned at 2025 PFL MENA Finals

After falling short of last season’s PFL MENA title, Kuwait’s Mohammad Alaqraa redeemed himself with a five-round striking masterclass to claim the 2025 welterweight title over Badreddine Diani via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 48-47) Friday at the Dhahran Expo in Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

Diani had few answers for Alaqraa’s fast footwork and was routinely picked apart on the outside by the American Kickboxing Academy prospect’s jab. Alaqraa was the favorite to win the title last season but was upset in the second round. This time around, he fought cautiously, refusing to stand and trade with the heavy-handed Moroccan. Diani had his moments and looked to pull off the comeback in the fifth round, but Alaqraa coasted to the final bell. With the victory, Alaqraa claimed his third straight win and the $100,000 grand prize.

In a battle of unbeaten lightweights, Salah Eddine Hamli claimed the PFL MENA title with a gutsy second-round brabo choke on Mohammad Fahmi (4:05). Hamil and Fahmi fought at a ferocious pace to open the bout. Still, the forward pressure started to wear on Fahmi heading into the second frame. Hamil’s experience showcased itself as he steadily walked down “The Soulkeeper” before taking him down to the mat with a sweep. Fhami couldn’t deny Hamil as he pressed forward and found his path to victory with a devastating choke.

After pulling out of last year’s featherweight finale due to injury, Islam Reda vowed to bring the title back home to Egypt. Standing in his way was Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Yanis Ghemmouri. The first stanza was an action-packed display of skill, but it was clear that Reda was a level above Ghemmouri on the ground, and he knew it. Reda relentlessly hunted the anaconda choke in the second period and kept Ghemmouri squirming for his life. With Reda on his case, Ghemmouri’s gas tank could only last so long before he was forced to succumb to the submission 4:46 into the round.

It would only take Nawras Abzakh 36 seconds to claim the PFL MENA bantamweight title after catching Islam Youssef in a disgusting guillotine. “The Honey Badger” wasn’t fazed by Youssef’s takedown early in the first and snatched up the neck like it was second nature. Youssef, who entered with a six-fight win streak, knew he was in danger but Abzakh’s grip on his neck — and the title — was too tight to deny.

Malik Basahel improved to 3-0 after a dominant first-round technical knockout over Mahmoud Atef in flyweight action. Basahel has set Atef up with a flawless takedown midway through the first and wasted little time transitioning into full mount. With Atef’s defensiveness, Basahel pummeled his man from above until referee Bashar Reda was forced to call the bout.

Ahmed El Sisy and Abbas Khan left it all in the PFL Smartcage following their hellacious lightweight showcase bout. El Sisy’s powerful straights busted Khan’s face and nearly stopped him multiple times throughout the fight, but whenever all seemed lost, Khan would dig deep and let go of haymakers that would force El Sisy to retreat. Down on the scorecards heading into the third, Khan nearly pulled off the comeback, but the Egyptian would not be denied, winning the bout via unanimous decision (29–28, 30-27, 29-28).

Ahmed Albrahim stopped Mohamed Nabil via TKO in the second round of their welterweight amateur showcase bout (2:45). After a competitive first round, Albrahim prioritized his wrestling in the second and set up shop in side control. With Nabil’s guard compromised, Albrahim was free to rain down punches until referee Bandar Alzahrani was forced to step in.

Bahrain’s Hamad Marhoon kicked off his pro career with a first-round submission over Oualid Gounaine (1:39). Gounaime, a fellow debutant, pushed the pace throughout the 130-pound catchweight showcase and hoped to take Marhoon to the ground with a well-timed double leg. Unfortunately for Gounaime, his neck was exposed on the descent, and Marhoon quickly capitalized and sunk in a guillotine so tight that it put his foe to sleep.

This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com

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