The Professional Fighters League’s MENA division will begin its 2026 season with Pride of Arabia, scheduled for May 24 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The season opener will feature competitors representing eleven nations across the Middle East and North Africa, highlighting the growing reach and competitive depth of mixed martial arts in the region. Tickets are already on sale through the venue’s official platform, with early pricing available for a limited time until April 29.

Mohammad “The UAE Warrior” Yahya will headline the event in a featherweight quarterfinal matchup against Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi. Yahya enters the bout as one of the region’s most established fighters and will compete in front of a home crowd for his promotional debut. Saadi brings a steady run of form and aims to advance deeper into the tournament bracket at Yahya’s expense.

Dubai hosts regional MMA season opener

PFL MENA officials described Dubai as a key global hub for combat sports and the ideal location to launch the 2026 campaign. The Pride of Arabia event is positioned as a showcase of regional talent while reinforcing the city’s role in hosting major international sporting competitions.

The co-main event features undefeated Moroccan contender Salah Eddine Hamli against veteran Algerian fighter Ylies Djiroun in a lightweight quarterfinal clash. Hamli enters with a perfect record built on dominant finishes, while Djiroun brings extensive experience from multiple international promotions.

Rising Emirati prospect Zamzam Al Hammadi is also set for her promotional debut at just 18 years old. She joins the card following success in both MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition and represents one of the youngest athletes on the roster.

Full fight card spans multiple divisions

The event features a complete lineup of quarterfinal and showcase bouts across featherweight, lightweight, flyweight, and welterweight divisions. Each contest contributes to advancement within the season-long tournament structure.

The Coca-Cola Arena event marks the official start of the 2026 PFL MENA season and sets the competitive field for the next phase of regional MMA competition.