Ayeni Olusegun
Riyadh
As the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) global expansion takes root in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with the launch of the PFL MENA season on Friday (May 10), top fighters from the region are gunning for the platform’s global reach and visibility to showcase their talent.
Four Jordanian fighters, Jalal Al Dajah, Yazeed Hussein, Nawras Abzakh, and Abdul Nasser Al Hiyasat, will take to the cage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a chance to write a new chapter in the region’s combat sports history.
“The reason for our participation in the championship is that PFL provides us with an opportunity to face fighters globally,” bantamweight Al Dajah said.
“It is a large organization on a global scale, and now they are bringing their brand of fights to this region, starting with Saudi Arabia. Jordanian fighters are warriors, and this game in the region started in Amman,” he added.
The Amman-based fighter, 36, with an 11-7 record, takes on another veteran, 33-year-old Tariq Ismail from Sudan, whom he lost to in 2019.
Reigning UAE Warriors Arabia Flyweight champion Nawras Abzakh, who is chasing his third regional belt at PFL MENA, wants to dominate and achieve great results on a global stage.
“We are proud to participate in the PFL. Every athlete has a dream -- the Olympic Games or the World Cup, but we dream of participating in major championships such as PFL,” the submission specialist said.
The 32-year-old Abzakh, known as ‘the Honey Badger’ on the MMA scene, revealed that Jordanian fighters are the only ones who train in their country, which spurs a sense of pride to represent Jordan.
“I want to show the world what we Jordanians can do,” the bantamweight fighter said ahead of his date with Sweden-based Iraqi Ali Taleb.
Bendaoud leads Moroccan charge in headline card
Facing the face of the PFL in the MENA region, Bendaoud heads into the featherweight bout against Abdullah Al-Qahtani with a 3-0 record in the PFL, a feat matched by Al Qahtani. The Atlas Lion had his first professional match two years ago and holds a 19-1 record in Muay Thai bouts.
With growing anticipation ahead of the fight against home favourite, Bendaoud stated he’s always ready for fights wherever they may be.
“Martial arts is experiencing significant growth. Typically, athletes gravitate towards Europe or the United States to pursue these disciplines. Now the trend will reverse, as Saudi Arabia will attract professionals from around the globe,” Bendaoud said.
“I have fought many opponents in their countries in the presence of their fans, but it never stressed me -- only excited. I have faced many MMA champions worldwide but am unfazed by the challenges. My fight with Al Qahtani in Riyadh, in front of his countrymen, would be the same,” the 29-year-old quipped, stressing his readiness to compete and clinch the PFL title.
For kickboxing and MMA champion in Spain, Rachid El Hazoume, passion and mental toughness are weapons he hopes will power him to glory against fellow Moroccan Xavier Alaoui in their bantamweight showdown.
The European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion stated, “After exploring various disciplines, I found my calling in professional combat sports because it requires both physical prowess and mental acuity.”
“I’m proud to be a part of the Professional Fighters League because it’s a significant milestone for me.” Confident in his ability, El Hazoume, who fights out of Tijuana in Mexico, said he doesn’t usually study his opponents extensively but focuses on training enough and “getting myself ready to defeat them.” “I don’t know who my opponent in the next match will be. I’m ready to face my opponent and confident in defeating him. My ambition is to become the best professional athlete in the world,” he stressed.
The inaugural MENA card will feature playoff bouts in the Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions, with athletes looking to advance through the PFL tournament.
