PFL PFL MENA

Jarrah Al-Silawi vs. Omar Eldafrawy: PFL Middleweight Semifinal Showdown Set for Riyadh

Jarrah Al Silawi
Jarrah Al Silawi

A highly anticipated middleweight clash between two of the region’s top fighters is set to headline the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) semifinal event on September 20 in Riyadh. Jordan’s Jarrah Al-Silawi, a dominant figure in Middle Eastern MMA, will square off against Egypt’s rising star Omar Eldafrawy in a bout that promises fireworks at Boulevard City.

Both fighters bring impressive resumes to the table, with Al-Silawi holding a record of 20 wins (7 by knockout, 6 by submission) and 6 losses over an 11-year professional career. Known for his well-rounded skill set and finishing ability, Al-Silawi is no stranger to the big stage, having cemented himself as one of the region’s best fighters.

Eldafrawy, who turned pro eight years ago, is looking to make a statement with his 11-6 record, which includes 6 knockouts and 2 submissions. The Egyptian fighter sees this bout as a life-changing opportunity to catapult his career to new heights.

At a recent virtual press conference, both athletes shared their thoughts on the upcoming semifinal, with Al-Silawi expressing confidence in his preparation.

Al-Silawi: ‘Victory will be mine’

“I respect all my opponents, including Omar, who’s a hardworking fighter,” Al-Silawi said. “But I’m fully prepared, and I’m going to bring my best performance to this fight. This fight means a lot to every fighter, and I’ve been working hard to iron out mistakes from past bouts. I’m confident that with the preparation I’ve put in, I’ll come out on top.”

Known for his calm demeanor, Al-Silawi emphasized that he’s mentally and physically ready for the challenge. “I’ve faced tougher opponents, and I believe my experience and dedication will be the keys to victory. I respect Omar, but I’m confident in my abilities to get the job done,” he added.

Eldafrawy: ‘This fight is life or death’

For Eldafrawy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Egyptian fighter revealed that Al-Silawi had been one of his idols when he first entered the world of mixed martial arts, but the tables have turned.

“When I started in MMA, Jarrah was someone I looked up to,” Eldafrawy said. “He’s a great fighter and achieved everything through hard work, but now I have the chance to fight him. This is a life-or-death fight for me, and I’m fully prepared to take my career to the next level with a win.”

While Al-Silawi’s experience may give him an edge, Eldafrawy believes he’s ready for the challenge. “I’ve trained with some of the best fighters in the world, and I’m confident that I can compete at this level. The fight isn’t always about who’s stronger—it’s about who’s more resilient.”

PFL MENA Semifinal Fight Card

In addition to the Al-Silawi vs. Eldafrawy middleweight semifinal, the PFL MENA card will feature several key matchups across various divisions. In the featherweight division, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Qahtani will meet Jordan’s Abdulrahman Al-Hayassat. Meanwhile, Algeria’s Souheil Tahiri faces Iran’s Mohsen Mohammad Seyfi in a lightweight bout, and Iraq’s Ali Talib takes on Jordan’s Jalal Al-Dajeh in the bantamweight division.

The PFL MENA semifinals will be broadcast live on MBC Action, Shahid, and SSC channels, with international viewers able to catch the action on ESPN and other partners across 150 countries.

Tickets for the event are now available for purchase via WeBook.

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