PFL MENA 2 card hailed as ‘Arguably the greatest fight card in Middle East history’

Friday night will see the PFL’s Middle East and North Africa league, PFL MENA, hold its second event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of PFL MENA 2, the promotion’s Vice President of Fighter Operations Gustavo Firmino has spoken of his excitement as the PFL continues to develop its regional MMA leagues, with Friday night’s show in Riyadh expected to deliver an exciting night of fights, featuring some of the region’s top up-and-coming stars.

Why is PFL MENA 2 a must-watch event for Arab MMA fans?

PFL MENA 2 is arguably the greatest fight card in Middle-East history. We’ve assembled the best lightweight and welterweight fighters the Middle East has to offer. They’ll be competing in the signature PFL league format, where every fight counts and is decisive for each fighter to continue their journey to the title, adding another layer of excitement for fans.

Many of these fighters are established regional MMA champions or possess strong backgrounds in other combat sports before transitioning to MMA. They’ll bring an incredible mix of skills and an unwavering desire to win.

What are some of the most anticipated matchups on the card?

There are so many, many of these fighters could be the main event. But to answer your question, one that I’m particularly excited about is Amir Fazli versus Badreddine Diani. Fazli, a two-time Wushu Sanda World Champion, is definitely a force to be reckoned with. He’s riding a four-fight win streak and is known for his devastating first-round knockouts. Diani, a former UAE Warriors champion, brings a strong Sambo base on the table. This clash of styles promises an explosive encounter.

Another intriguing matchup is between the undefeated fighters Mohammad Alaaqra and Youcef Ouabbas. Alaaqra has a strong Judo and Wrestling background, has trained at the AKA gym with Javier Mendez and has finished his preparations at the Khabib’s gym in Dagestan, Club Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. As Khabib’s disciple, there’s a lot of excitement for this debut with PFL MENA. However, he’ll be going against the well-rounded and also undefeated Algerian fighter, Youcef Ouabbas, who’s won multiple grappling championships in France.

The lightweight division at PFL MENA is stacked. Can you briefly discuss some of the lightweights on the card?

Absolutely, this division is indeed stacked! From where should I even start? Fans should keep an eye on some of our undefeated prospects – Abdullah Saleem from Kuwait, a BJJ specialist who was training in Brazil at Nova Uniao Gym, and Omar Reguigui, a Sambo Black Belt from Tunisia. The Iranian Mohsen Seifi is likely the most decorated striker in the whole roster, with multiple World titles in Wushu Sanda.

We also have very experienced MMA fighters, including Lebanese Josh Togo, a former UAE Warriors Champion, Souhil Tahiri from Algeria, who’s a very smart fighter and also PhD in Mathematics, he always brings extremely exciting fights. And of course, we can’t forget the former BRAVE CF Lightweight champion, Ahmed Amir. He’s a proven force, and I expect him to put on a great show. They all possess impressive skill sets.

With so many talented fighters on the card, how do you see PFL MENA helping to develop the sport in the region?

PFL MENA is deeply committed to fostering the growth of MMA across the region. By providing a platform for these talented athletes to compete on a global stage, we hope to inspire the next generation of fighters. We’re also working hard to develop grassroots programs and educational initiatives to help the sport flourish at all levels.

What’s your vision and expectations for the future of PFL MENA and development of MMA in the Middle East?

PFL is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league worldwide. PFL MENA is part of PFL’s overall vision of creating the Champions League of MMA. We’ve built a strong roster with the very best talent in the Middle East and North Africa region, combining established champions and top rising prospects, which make PFL MENA the ultimate proving ground to determine who are the best fighters in the region.

The MMA sport has grown substantially worldwide in recent years, and especially in the Middle East, with the rise of Saudi Arabia as an epicenter for combat sports. We believe that this region has a wealth of untapped talent, like Hattan Alsaif, who’s become a big star already in her early MMA career. Through PFL MENA, we’re excited to showcase the very best MMA talent, providing a platform to create new regional stars that can later become global stars through the PFL Global Season.