Ayeni Olusegun
Jeddah
Morocco’s Taha ‘Atlas Lion’ Bendaoud has shrugged off talk of pressure as he prepares to step into the cage at PFL MENA Season 2, set for May 9 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Bendaoud made a stunning return to MMA last year with a victory over Tariq Ismail on the Battle of the Giants fight card. A striking specialist, he has remained unbeaten since losing his amateur debut and has yet to suffer a defeat in his professional career.
Speaking ahead of his fight on Friday, Bendaoud said, “It’s just a belt, and I have already won three in my career. This is just another one for the collection.”
“I feel like my last fight was even more pressured. I was in one of the biggest cards, maybe the biggest card in PFL history. That was a lot of pressure. I was not even ready then like I am now. Now it’s just a fight, a start for me. It feels like the first fight for a new chapter.”
The Moroccan, who has overcome personal hurdles including health scares and mental health struggles, says he is now in a much better place, both physically and mentally.
“Life is not always butterflies. Sometimes we have hard moments, and I had my part of it,” Bendaoud said.
“I have suffered hard moments in my life and thank God everything is good now. I’m feeling ready and mentally sharp. The last time I fought here, I literally trained like a few weeks before the fight. I was not in a good shape. Now I really had a proper camp, I’m mentally clear and physically, so sharp. I feel better than when I was 20 years old, and I’m just ready to show you guys what I have,” he added.
With physical and mental struggles behind him, Bendaoud says he’s chasing more than belts, but ‘excellence.’ Bendaoud steps into the cage looking to make a statement, not just with a win, but with a performance that reflects the journey he’s fought to overcome.
“My goal is not PFL MENA belt, PFL belt, not even the UFC belt. My goal is just to prove that I’m the best, and I want to be the best ever. So, it’s just chasing excellence, this is what I’m looking for. I’m going into the cage the same way I go to the gym. I’m going to enjoy that moment and have fun. I trained and sparred with the best in the world; this is not new for me,” he added.
Bendaoud will have to restrategise for Friday’s bout after his scheduled opponent Abdelrahman Alhyasat failed to make weight. He has been replaced by Algeria’s Boualem Drissi.
