The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is set to host its second event in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, PFL MENA 2, on July 12, 2024, at The Green Halls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event is part of the PFL’s ongoing efforts to expand its global reach and showcase talent from various regions around the world.
Event Details
– Date: July 12, 2024
– Venue: The Green Halls, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
– Broadcast: DAZN
– Number of Fights: 11
Main Event
The main event features Mostafa Abada Rashed and Abdel Rahmane Driai.
Mostafa Abada Rashed
Mostafa Abada Rashed, holds a professional MMA record of 8 wins and 3 losses. Affiliated with the MMA Jeddah Club, Rashed is currently on a four-fight winning streak, showcasing his resilience and skill in the cage. Standing at 5’10” and weighing in at 184.8 lbs, Rashed is known for his well-rounded abilities, capable of securing victories through both striking and grappling. Rashed’s last fight took place in August 2023, where he continued to build momentum with a decisive win. Ranked 18th among Middle Eastern middleweights, he is eager to climb higher in the rankings and make a significant impact in the PFL.
Abdel Rahmane Driai
Abdel Rahmane Driai, nicknamed “Silverback,” hails from Roubaix, France, and fights out of the All Fighting Club and Bulgarian Top Team. With a professional record of 9 wins and 2 losses, Driai is a formidable opponent in the middleweight division. Standing at 6’0″ and weighing 186.1 lbs, he brings a mix of power and technique to the cage. Driai’s recent performances have been impressive, with a current two-fight winning streak. His ability to finish fights is evident, with four wins by knockout and four by submission. Ranked 15th among Western European middleweights, Driai is looking to extend his winning streak and establish himself as a top contender in the PFL
Co-Main Event
The Co-main event will be Jarrah Al -Salawe and Rayan Atmani.
Jarrah Al-Silawi
Jarrah Al-Silawi, known as “The Jordanian Lion,” boasts an impressive professional MMA record of 19 wins and 6 losses. At 32 years old, Al-Silawi has competed in various promotions, including Cage Warriors and Brave Combat Federation. He is renowned for his versatile fighting style, with victories achieved through knockouts, submissions, and decisions. Al-Silawi’s career highlights include a notable split decision win over Brazilian veteran Gleison Tibau and a first-round stoppage of American Michael Lilly in his PFL debut in 2022. Despite facing setbacks in the PFL, Al-Silawi rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over Serbian Nenad Avramovic in December 2023
Rayan Atmani
A promising welterweight fighter with a professional record of 4 wins and 2 losses. Atmani, standing at 6’1″ and weighing 163 lbs, is known for his striking prowess, with three of his four wins coming by way of knockout. At 31 years old, Atmani is relatively new to the professional MMA scene but has quickly made a name for himself in the Middle East.
Full Fight Card
The event boasts a stacked card with a mix of seasoned fighters and rising stars. Here is the complete line up:
Flyweight: Hadi Omar Al Hussaini vs. Ziad Ayman
Lightweight: Abbas Khan vs. Georges Eid
Lightweight: Abdullah Saleem vs. Omar Reguigui
Atomweight: Hattan Alsaif vs. Eman Baraka
Welterweight: Omar El Dafrawy vs. Anthony Zeidan
Lightweight: Ahmed Amir vs. Souhil Tahiri
Lightweight: Josh Togo vs. Mohsen Mohammadseifi
Welterweight: Mohammad Alaqraa vs. Youcef Ouabbas
Welterweight: Badreddine Diani vs. Amir Fazli
Welterweight: Jarrah Al-Silawi vs Rayan Atmani
Middleweight: Mostafa Rashed Nada vs. Abdel Rahmane Driai
Significance of PFL MENA
PFL’s strategy to identify and promote MMA talent from the Middle East and North Africa. By providing a platform for fighters from this region, the PFL aims to integrate them into its global roster. The league’s format, which includes a regular season, playoffs, and championships, ensures that fighters have multiple opportunities to showcase their skills and earn significant rewards, including a $100,000 grand prize and a chance to compete in the PFL regular season in 2025.
PFL MENA 2 promises to be an exciting event that not only highlights the best fighters from the MENA region but also contributes to the global growth of MMA. With a mix of experienced fighters and new talent, the event is set to deliver thrilling matchups and potentially uncover the next big star in the sport. Fans can look forward to a night of high-octane action and skilful displays of martial arts.
