Alaqraa, Fahmi, and Reda headline finalists after explosive PFL MENA Semifinals

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Mohammad Alaqraa celebrates after a stunning 21-second TKO win in the semifinals. [PFL photo]

Following an explosive night of action in Riyadh, the finalists for the 2025 PFL MENA Championships are now set. The best fighters from across the Middle East locked up their championship spots in the Bantamweight, Featherweight, Lightweight, and Welterweight divisions after Saturday’s semifinal card at The Arena.

Kuwait’s Mohammad Alaqraa (9-1) wasted no time in the main event, stopping Egypt’s Ayman Galal (4-2) by TKO in just 21 seconds. The PFL MENA Welterweight runner-up from last season landed a brutal leg kick that forced the referee to wave off the fight immediately. Alaqraa now moves on to face Badreddine Diani (10-3), who earned his finals berth with a split-decision victory over Amir Fazli (7-4).

In the lightweight division, Iraq’s undefeated Mohammad Fahmi (6-0) continued his dominant run by submitting Iran’s Mohsen Mohammadseifi (8-3) with a rear naked choke at the 4:25 mark of round one. Fahmi will meet fellow unbeaten prospect Salah Eddine Hamli (10-0), who secured his own submission win against Souhil Tairi (8-7).

Regional stars shine in front of Riyadh crowd

Saudi Arabia’s Malik Basahel (2-0) gave the hometown fans reason to cheer, securing his second pro win with a rear naked choke submission over Egypt’s Ahmed Mostafa (3-2) in round two. Basahel remains one of Saudi Arabia’s most promising prospects in PFL competition.

Egypt’s Islam Youssef (7-2) earned a unanimous decision win over Morocco’s Xavier Alaoui (16-7) to set up a bantamweight final against Jordan’s Nawras Abzakh (14-6), who earlier bested Mokhtar Benkaci (25-10) by unanimous decision. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Islam Reda (14-1) dominated Morocco’s Taha Bendaoud (5-1) to secure a featherweight finals berth opposite Yanis Ghemmouri (13-3), who outpointed Izzeddine Al Derbani (15-6).

Finals set for Al Khobar

With the semifinal round complete, the PFL MENA Finals will take place on Friday, December 5, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The event will crown champions across four weight classes and showcase the best talent from across the region.

In addition, Saudi Arabia’s pioneering women’s MMA fighter Hattan Alsaif will make her long-awaited professional debut on the Finals card. Alsaif made history by becoming the first Saudi woman signed to a major MMA promotion and has compiled a 4-0 record in her amateur run, all by stoppage.