2025 PFL MENA 1 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Amateur Showcase 166-Pound Catchweight Bout:
Abdulaziz Bin Moammar (164.8) vs. Fares Hamdani (163.6)

Round 1

An amateur bout at a 166-pound catchweight kicks off festivities, as Saudi Arabia’s Moammar meets Algeria’s Hamdani. Basheer Reda administers the law and order. Glove touch gets us going. Hamdani probes with his lead hand, looking to gauge distance as he gathers information. They circle in the center of the cage. Moammar connects with a powerful leg kick, then another. Hamdani looks to stay light on his feet. Two minutes to go. Hamdani lands a leg kick of his own, as Moammar closes the distance and crashes into the clinch. They jockey for position along the fence. Hamdani using underhooks to keep Moammar at bay. Hamdani reverses position with a minute left in the round. Moammar secures a takedown and sheds a guillotine choke. Hamdani immediately scrambles to his feet. Once again, they settle into the clinch. Moammar hunts for another takedown as time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moammar
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Moammar
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Moammar

Round 2

Moammar urges more support from the hometown crowd at the start of Round 2. Hamdani misses an overhand right, resets and ducks into a takedown. Moammar gets back to his feet without issue. Hamdani persists and completes another takedown, then settles in half guard. Moammar pesters him with punches from the bottom. Hamdani mixes in a few hammerfists, flirts with an arm-triangle and looks to posture. One minute to go in the round. Hamdani climbs to full mount. Moammar looks to bridge out, to no avail. Hamdani lures him into a triangle and cinches the choke. Can Moammar hang on? Yes, he survives.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hamdani
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Hamdani
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Hamdani

Round 3

Anyone’s fight as we start Round 3. Both men look weary after a taxing first six minutes. Hamdani flicks his lead hand and circles. Neither man offering much offense. Hamdani misses a Superman punch and retreats, then shoots for an attempted takedown and clinches along the fence. Moammar presses him into the cage, changes levels and lifts his opponent with a single-leg. Hamdani manages to stay upright. Moammar locks his hands behind the hips and secures a takedown but only briefly. Hamdani scrambles back to his feet, and they go back to work in the clinch. A minute to go. Moammar leaning on the Algerian and fires a few close-range knees. Moammar gets a key takedown, stands and kicks at the legs. Hamdani gets back to his feet. Moammar somersaults into a kick as the fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moammar (29-28 Moammar)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Moammar (29-28 Moammar)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Moammar (29-28 Moammar)

The Official Result

Abdulaziz Al Moammar def. Fares Hamdani—Unanimous Decision

Showcase Women's Featherweight Bout:
Eman Almudhaf (146) vs. Shamara Braga (145.6)

Round 1

Women’s featherweights are next to the stage, as Kuwait’s Almudhaf (4-0, 0-0 PFL) takes on Brazil’s Braga (5-3, 0-0 PFL) at 145 pounds. Almudhaf has finished all four of her opponents. Gerd Richter draws the officiating assignment. They touch gloves and get down to business. They swing wildly, with Almudhaf in the center of the cage. Straight punches from Braga, who switches stances and feints. Almudhaf clinches and gets off some dirty boxing. Braga answers with knees to the body. Almudhaf presses her into the fence, as they exchange knees. More dirty boxing from Almudhaf. No discernible edge for either woman yet. Braga circles out and connects with a series of knees to the body. Almudhaf secures a takedown but cannot corral the Brazilian. More knees from Braga. Almudhaf drops for a takedown. No luck. Braga wheels behind her and scores with knees to the quadriceps. She grabs the Thai clinch and fires knees to the body and head. No answers from Almudhaf. Braga flurries along the fence with 30 seconds to go, then follows with a standing elbow and more knees.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Braga
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Braga
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Braga

Round 2

Can Almudhaf make the necessary adjustments? She presses forward and throws out a head kick that misses the target. Braga circles in her southpaw stance. Almudhaf strings a few punches together, then lands a right hand over the top. She moves forward behind a leg kick, then another, and fires a right hand behind them. Sharp right hand over the top from Almudhaf. Braga retreats without answering and draws a warning for extending her fingers. The Brazilian fires a right hook to the body and a left hook upstairs. Almudhaf seems to be the fresher of the two. Eye poke from the Brazilian results in a pause to the action. Almudhaf not happy with the foul. She pumps out her jab on the restart, stays light on her feet and pushes Braga backward. Leg kick from the Brazilian. Braga answers jabs with leg kicks. Almudhaf bounces on the balls of her feet and uncorks a one-two, followed by an overhand right. Braga pulling something of a disappearing act her in the middle stanza. Almudhaf ducks into a double-leg and powers into a takedown, landing in side control with 20 seconds to go. She postures and lands elbows as the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf

Round 3

Outcome looks to be up in the air at the start of the third round. Almudhaf takes the center of the cage and connects with an inside leg kick. Lead left hook from the Kuwaiti. She follows it with a one-two and shoots on the hips. Braga denies the takedown, sucks her into the clinch and fires knees to the body. Pretty clear Almudhaf does not want to be in the clinch. They separate. Almudhaf changes levels and shoots. No luck. Referee urges action as the stall along the fence. Short punches from Braga, followed by another knee to the body. Almudhaf presses her into the cage but fails to offer much else. Restart with a little more than two minutes to go. Inside leg kick from Almudhaf, who bounces forward and slams home a right hand. Nice body kick from Almudhaf, who follows it with a jab. Braga presses her into the fence, lands knees to the body and concedes a brief takedown. The Brazilian gets back to her feet, balances against the cage and scores with short punches. Almudhaf leans into the clinch, drawing another prompt for action from the referee. She delivers a takedown with 10 seconds left, perhaps salting away the decision.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf (29-28 Almudhaf)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf (29-28 Almudhaf)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf (29-28 Almudhaf)

The Official Result

Eman Almudhaf def. Shamara Braga—Split Decision

Lightweight Tournament Bout:
Abdullah Saleem (155.4) vs. Souhil Tairi (155.8)

Round 1

They keep the line moving with the first PFL MENA lightweight quarterfinal, as Kuwait’s Saleem (5-0, 0-0 PFL) locks horns with Algeria’s Tairi (7-6-1, 1-2 PFL). At a 6.5-inch reach disadvantage, Saleem has four first-round finishes to his credit. Sam Amidi steps in as the third man in the cage. They greet each other with a glove touch. Tairi moves forward, unleashes a leg kick and retreats briefly in the face of some mild return fire. Saleem blocks a head kick and circles on the outside, then plunges forward behind an overhand right. He ducks into a body lock and drags Tairi to the mat. He jumps to the back, threads one hook and threatens the neck. Both hooks in now. Ref warns Tairi for having his toes in the cage. Action stalls. Saleem bleeding from a cut near his right eye. He moves to half guard. Tairi reclaims full guard and uncorks elbows to the top of the head. Saleem postures and eats a few upkicks on the way in. Saleem pushes back into half guard, then fishes for a heel kicks. Tairi lands an illegal kick on his grounded opponent in the closing seconds. Tairi loses a point.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Saleem
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 9-9
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-8 Saleem

Round 2

They meet in the middle and exchange punches. Inside leg kick from Saleem. Front kick to the body from Tairi. He presses forward and narrowly misses an overhand right. Tairi steps into a knee to the body but wanders into the clinch. Tairi connects with a left hook and an overhand right as they separate. Saleem clinches, eats some shots, resets and shoots on a single-leg. Tairi shuts it down. Back they go to the clinch. Tairi lands knees and short punches, then follows it with an overhand right. Saleem in retreat mode. Tairi powers into top position, scores with punches, postures and lands a standing-to-ground right. Tairi maneuvers behind the unbeaten Kuwaiti, who’s an all fours in a defensive shell. Unanswered rights from Tairi. Saleem escapes to his feet. Tairi sprawls on a takedown attempt, pancakes downward and lands a few right hands, prompting what appeared to be a premature stoppage.

The Official Result

Souhil Tairi def. Abdullah Saleem—TKO (Punches) 3:21 R2

Showcase Lightweight Bout:
Ahmad Makki (154.3) vs. Hasham Elnamer (153.6)

Round 1

Next up: A lightweight affair pitting Saudi Arabia’s retiring Makki (1-3-1, 0-0 PFL) against Egypt’s Elnamer (3-0, 0-0 PFL) at 155 pounds. Amidi answers the call to referee. Tentative start. Elnamer alternating stances and throws out some range-finding jabs. The 5-foot-3 Makki works on the outside and scores with a leg kick. Elnamer jabs and resets. Referee urges more action. Makki taps the Egyptian with a left hook. They circle back to the center. Side kick to the body from Elnamer. Makki answers with a leg kick. Another side kick to the body from Elnamer. Some hand fighting ensues, and they clinch. Makki rotates and presses his opponent into the fence. They eventually separate and trade shots from the outside.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Elnamer
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Elnamer
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Elnamer

Round 2

Back to work. Leg kick from Makki. Elnamer triples up on his jab, looking to exploit visible height and reach advantages on the diminutive Saudi. Makki closes the distance and clinches along the fence. Elnamer separates without issue. He looks for elbows, only to eat a counter right hand. Makki again clinches and trips his opponent to the canvas. Three minutes to go. Makki operates in side control, applying heavy pressure. Elnamer scrambles to his feet, only to be taken down again. Makki in half guard this time. He progresses to mount but squanders position. Elnamer gets to his feet and grabs a collar-tie, hunting for elbows and knees. Makki’s pace slowing here, perhaps a byproduct of all the grappling. Elnamer probes for openings from the outside. Makki closes in a gain and clinches. Another takedown for the Saudi. That should nail down the round for him. He moves to side control and scores with some ground-and-pound.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Makki
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Makki
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Makki

Round 3

Looks to be anyone’s fight. Both men offer brief applause for one another. Elnamer whiffs on a tornado kick, though it drew some oohs and aahs from the crowd. Makki blocks a head kick. Elnamer turns to his jab and eats a counter right. Makki denies a takedown and wheels behind his counterpart, setting both hooks. He immediately threatens the neck. Makki settles in half guard. He postures and sits back on a heel hook. Elnamer struggles briefly, then taps.

The Official Result

Ahmed Makki def. Hasham Elnamer—Submission (Heel Hook) 2:02 R3

Lightweight Tournament Bout:
Georges Eid (155.5) vs. Mohammad Fahmi (155.1)

Round 1

The second PFL MENA lightweight quarterfinal now steps into the spotlight, as Lebanon’s Eid (10-5, 2-1 PFL) locks horns with Iran’s undefeated Fahmi (4-0, 0-0 PFL). Eid was a PFL runner-up in 2024. Richter administers the law and order. Glove touch gets them started. Eid operates from the center of the cage. Eid cracks the Iranian with a pair of left hooks and sprawls on an attempted takedown. Wide stance for Fahmi. Eid sends out feelers with his jab, sprawls on a takedown and unleashes a clubbing right hook. Fahmi shoots on a single-leg and completes a takedown. He dodges upkicks and stacks in full guard. Fahmi postures with hammerfists, then goes chest to chest. Eid threatens a triangle. Fahmi passes guard and sits back on a brabo choke. Eid struggles to free himself, turns a dark shade of purple and taps.

The Official Result

Mohammad Fahmi def. Georges Eid—Submission (Brabo Choke) 3:13 R1

Featherweight Tournament Bout:
Islam Reda (145.8) vs. Akram Nasri (145.5)

Round 1

A PFL MENA featherweight quarterfinal gets the ball rolling on the main card, as Egypt’s Reda (12-1, 2-0 PFL) toes the line against Algeria’s Nasri (3-0, 0-0 PFL) at 145 pounds. Reda enters the cage on a six-fight winning streak. Rada draws the officiating assignment. Spinning back kick to the body from Nasri. Reda shoots on a single-leg. Denied. Reda trades leg kicks with the Algerian. Reda shoots on another single-leg and presses his opponent into the cage. Nasri counters with a front headlock. Reda secures a takedown but cannot keep Nasri on the canvas. Nasri scrambles to his feet and bites down on a front headlock again, forcing a separation. Reda lands a left hook. Nasri pushes into the clinch. They separate again. Nasri the clear aggressor thus far. Reda shoots on the hips and completes a takedown and settles in full guard. Nasri employs an active bottom game. Reda passes to side control, but Nasri scrambles back to his feet. Nasri gets away with a knee below the belt. Reda winces in pain and looks to the referee for some assistance. When he finds none, he lands another takedown. Nasri threatens with a ninja choke in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reda
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Reda
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Reda

Round 2

They circle in the center. Reda opens with a leg kick and dodges a wheel kick. Hook kick from Nasri grazes its target. He follows with a left hook, overhand right and spinning back kick to the body. Sharp low kick from Reda. Nasri changes levels for a takedown. Nasri bites down on a guillotine and briefly rolls to a mounted position. Reda escapes and moves into top position, settling in half guard. He flirts with a kimura and chooses to drop an elbow instead. Nasri reclaims full guard and gets back to his feet. He lands a few knees from the clinch and separates. Reda ducks into a takedown and gets busy in full guard. Ground-and-pound ensues. Reda climbs to full mount with 90 seconds left in the round. Nasri reclaims half guard. Reda works to pass again. He progresses to side control but cannot keep Nasri down. Back to their feet they go. They trade overhand rights. Reda flicks out his jab. Strong low kick from Nasri. Another spinning kick goes wide as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nasri
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Nasri
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Nasri

Round 3

Reda opens with a labored low kick, then fires a sharper one behind it. Reda shoots, overcomes a sprawl and completes the takedown inside the first minute. He takes a crouched position above Nasri and passes to half guard. Nasri shrimps back to full guard, continuing to cause problems with his grappling defense. Reda slides from side control to full mount, then settles in half guard. He drops short elbows. Nasri gets back to his feet, only to be taken down again. Reda back in top position and hunts a kimura from half guard. Nasri may finally be running out of gas. Reda throws punches and elbows from half guard. Ninety seconds left, and momentum is in Reda’s corner. He again flirts with a kimura. He climbs to full mount with 45 seconds to go and cuts loose with hammerfists. Nasri rolls to his belly and gets flattened out. Reda lands a few more punches to procure the stoppage.

The Official Result

Islam Reda def. Akram Nasri—TKO (Punches) 4:32 R3

Featherweight Tournament Bout:
Hussein Salem (145.7) vs. Assem Ghanem (145.7)

Round 1

The second PFL MENA featherweight quarterfinal keeps the audience engaged, as Iraq’s Salem (13-5, 0-0 PFL) puts Egypt’s unbeaten Ghanem (6-0, 0-0 PFL) to the test. Salem boasts 12 finishes among his 13 career victories. Amidi steps in as the third man in the cage. They touch gloves and get to work. Salem narrowly misses an overhand right. Nice one-two from Ghanem. He presses into the clinch along the fence. They trade knees at close range. Ghanem changes levels and dips into a takedown. Salem counters with a guillotine and clings to it, perhaps too stubbornly. Ghanem stays calm, breaks the grip and scores with ground-and-pound. Referee warns Salem for sticking his toes in the cage for leverage. Ghanem works punches to the body in full guard. Ghanem stands and fires a downward right hand. He settles in half guard. Referee deducts a point from Salem for sticking his toes in the cage.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Ghanem
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-8 Ghanem
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-8 Ghanem

Round 2

They meet in the middle for the second round. Salem lands with a leg kick and a two-punch volley. Ghanem slips on a front kick but gets to his feet before his opponent can capitalize. Tepid start from both men. They trade jabs. Ghanem sneaks in an overhand right and follows it with a left hook, briefly knocking the Iraqi off-balance. Ghanem shoots on the hips and secures a takedown midway through the round. Salem rolls for an armbar, then transitions to a kneebar. Ghanem answers with brutal punches and maneuvers behind his opponent. He cinches the rear-naked choke and goes palm-to-palm with his grip, but the finish eludes him. Ghanem scrambles on top. Ninety seconds left. Ghanem hammers away with short punches to the body and head. Salem offers a few elbows off his back. Ghanem answers and maintains top position. He postures with hammerfists and appears to salt away another round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem

Round 3

Salem needs a finish here. Ghanem decks the Iraqi with an overhand right and pounces with follow-up punches. He lands in side control and goes to work with more ground-and-pound. Clearly in survival mode, a spent Salem reclaims full guard. Ghanem drives a few elbows into his face. Ref warns Salem for punches to the back of the head. Pace slows. Ghanem in control midway through the round. Elbows and forearm strikes from the undefeated Egyptian. Salem looks for a triangle but finds no avenue for the submission. Ghanem resumes his assault from top position with punches, elbows and suffocating control. Referee asks for more action. Salem creates some space but eats a standing-to-ground right for his efforts. Ghanem dodges a heel hook attempt and spins into full mount, firing away with elbows, punches and hammerfists until the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Ghanem (30-25 Ghanem)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem (30-26 Ghanem)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem (30-26 Ghanem)

The Official Result

Assem Ghanem def. Hussein Salem—Unanimous Decision

Showcase Flyweight Bout:
Malik Basahel (125.5) vs. Mountassir Boutouta (125.4)

Round 1

Next up: a flyweight showcase between Saudi Arabia’s Basahel (0-0, 0-0 PFL) and Algeria’s Boutouta (1-0, 0-0 PFL) at 125 pounds. Rada answers the call to referee. They start with a glove touch. Basahal takes the center of the cage and switches between orthodox and southpaw. He jabs to the body. Boutouota looks a little gun-shy in the early going. They circle, and Basahel fakes a level change. He connects with a right hand over the top, shoots and completes a takedown. Boutouta scrambles out, and they separate. Basahel completes another takedown and goes to work from half guard. Boutouta gets back to his feet and clings to a single-leg. They separate again. They trade body kicks. Basahal stalks from the center and allows Boutouta to burn energy. He clips Boutouta with a left hook. They clinch along the fence. Basahel lifts his opponent off the ground with a knee to the body. Referee warns Boutouta for grabbing the cage in the clinch. Round ends in a stalemate.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Basahel
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Basahel
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Basahel

Round 2

Boutouta has some work to do to make this more competitive. Basahel steps forward, flicks a jab and connects with a one-two. He shuts down a takedown attempt with a knee to the body and powers into top position. Punches to the head and body follow, along with a few elbows. Boutouta tries to push the Saudi Arabia prospect away with an upkick. No luck. Basahel takes a crouches position above him and scores with ground-and-pound. Boutouta shrimps away and gets back to his feet. Basahel connects with a left hook, stonewalls a takedown and clinches in the center of the cage. They trade knees. Basahel scrambles out of a takedown, moves into top position and cuts loose with a series of unanswered punches to finish the job.

The Official Result

Malik Basahel def. Mountasser Boutouta—TKO (Punches) 2:33 R2

Featherweight Tournament Bout:
Taha Bendaoud (145) vs. Drissi Boualem (145.6)

Round 1

Tournament action returns, as Morocco’s Bendaoud (4-0, 1-0 PFL) faces Algeria’s Boualem (3-0, 0-0 PFL) in the third PFL MENA featherweight quarterfinal. None of Boualem’s first three opponents escaped the first round. He has an eight-inch reach advantage. Richter administers the law and order. Bendaoud opens with a series of low kicks. He slips and scrambles into top position. Bendaoud works from half guard and maintains top attempt through a bridge attempt from his opponent. He slides into full mount. Early trouble for Boualem. He pushes off the cage and reverses position. Bendaoud locks up a triangle from the bottom, cinches the choke and forces the tapout.

The Official Result

Taha Bendaoud def. Drissi Boualem—Submission (Triangle Choke) 2:07 R1

Lightweight Tournament Bout:
Salah Eddine Hamli (155.2) vs. Abbas Khan (155.3)

Round 1

Business picks up with the third PFL MENA lightweight quarterfinal, as Morocco’s undefeated Hamli (8-0, 0-0 PFL) battles Pakistan’s Khan (8-3, 0-1 PFL) for a seat in the Final Four at 155 pounds in the co-main event. Rada draws the officiating assignment. A customary glove touch gets them started. Hamli opens with two thudding leg kicks. Khan circles on the outside and strings a few punches together. Hamli answers with a straight left. Khan whiffs on an overhand right. Hamli getting his rear hand in gear, shooting left hands to the body and head. He catches a kick, closes the distance and secures a takedown from the clinch. He threads one hook, then another, and flattens out Khan. Hamli gets busy with punches, makes a pass at a face crank and slips and arm underneath the chin. Khan defends. Two minutes to go. Khan reverses position. Hamli calmly scrambles to his feet, turns and faces in the clinch, trades punches and nearly drags Khan back to the floor. Wide strength and technique differential so far. They separate with 30 seconds to go. Hamli lands a low kick. Khan connects with a left hook and sits down Hamli in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Hamli

Round 2

Back at it for Round 2. Khan comes out winging overhands. Hamli responds with repeated low kicks. Khan denies a takedown and nearly completes one of his own. They clinch. Khan sprawls on a takedown attempt and turns his opponent into the fence. They jockey for position. Khan makes a pass at a high-crotch single-leg. No luck. Hamli separates and pins Khan to the cage with punches. Khan answers and forces a reset. Hamli sneaks behind his counterpart and lands punches to the side of the head before driving him to the mat. More punches follow, with Khan in a kneeling position. Hamli drags him into the north-south position before settling in half guard. He pairs those efforts with ground-and-pound, postures up and forces a scramble. Hamil sprawls and briefly frames a brabo choke. He switches to more ground-and-pound and looks to have a commanding two rounds to none lead.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Hamli

Round 3

Khan almost certainly needs a finish. They circle one another in the center of the cage. Khan answers a body kick with an overhand right. Hamli closes the distance and presses his opponent into the fence, then slips behind him and drags him to the floor. Left hands pepper Khan to the side of the head. Even so, he briefly works back to his feet. Hamli pressures him to the canvas once more and jumps to the back with a body triangle. Khan not enjoying life right now. Hamli slips an arm under the chin, secures the choke and nets the submission.

The Official Result

Salah Eddine Hamli def. Abbas Khan—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 2:04 R3

Lightweight Tournament Bout:
Mohsen Mohammadseifi (156) vs. Ahmed El Sisy (154.8)

Round 1

Iran’s Mohammadseifi (7-2, 3-0 PFL) and Egypt’s El Sisy (6-1, 0-0 PFL) close the show, as their PFL MENA lightweight quarterfinal doubles as the headliner. On a seven-fight winning streak, Mohammadseifi was the 2024 PFL MENA champion at 155 pounds. Amidi answers the call to referee. El Sisy moves to the center of the cage, light on his feet. Mohammadseifi introduces himself with a leg kick and a powerful jab. El Sisy lands a glancing head kick, then gets tripped to the floor. El Sisy grabs a single-leg but goes nowhere. They trade punches at close range. El Sisy counters a jab to the body with a left hook, then eats a clubbing overhand right. Mohammadseifi denies another takedown. He bullies El Sisy to the mat and hunts a kill shot. He finds none. After a flurry and a scramble, they get back to the center of the cage. El Sisy sneaks in a right hand, but he is becoming increasingly more stationary. Mohammadseifi content to stand in the center and fling power punches. They clinch, and El Sisy eats a knee to the body. Mohammadseifi lands a clubbing overhand. El Sisy secures a single-leg takedown with 10 seconds left in the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi

Round 2

El Sisy has a small cut near his left eye. Mohammadseifi slips out a single-leg attempt. He whiffs on a head kick and a wild overhand right. They exchange punches in the center of the cage. Nothing of substance connects. Elsy shoots a left hook to the body and follows it with a jab. Mohammadseifi connects with a clubbing left and opens a cut near the other eye. El Sisy jabs and circles. Mohammadseifi counters a body kick with an overhand right. El Sisy clings to a single-leg but absorbs a series of uppercuts for his troubles. Mohammadseifi sprawls on a takedown, uses the cage to balance himself and separates. El Sisy leans on his jab. Mohammadseifi answers with an inside leg kick. Ninety seconds to go in this round. Mohammadseifi lands a slashing left hook and gives the Egyptian pause. El Sisy missing far more than he lands, leaving himself open for return fire. Mohammadseifi gets busy with a series of hooks from both hands and appears to have El Sisy reeling as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi

Round 3

Valiant thus far, El Sisy probably needs a finish to advance. He greets the defending champion with punches. Mohammadseifi responds with a vicious inside leg kick and another. El Sisy clinches in the center and scores with some dirty boxing. Mohammadseifi connects with a left hook and denies a takedown. Another inside leg kick from the Iranian. Mohammadseifi lands an overhand right. El Sisy’s chin up to the task. Mohammadseifi ducks under a spinning backfist and dumps El Sisy to the mat just to prove he can do so. He beckons El Sisy back to his feet, and they resume firing power punches at one another. Mohammadseifi secures a takedown and powers into full mount midway through the round. Situation going from bad to worse for El Sisy. However, he initiates a scramble and gets back to his feet, having dodged another bullet. Ninety seconds to go in our final bout. Mohammadseifi bear hugs his opponent in the middle of the cage, flirts with a takedown and releases him. He marches forward and leans on head movement to steer clear of the El Sisy jab. Clubbing left hook from Mohammadseifi. If nothing else, El Sisy has shown he is a difficult nut to crack.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi (30-27 Mohammadseifi)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi (30-27 Mohammadseifi)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi (30-27 Mohammadseifi)

The Official Result

Mohsen Mohammadseifi def. Ahmed El Sisy—Unanimous Decision