In a middleweight main event, Saudi Arabia’s own Mostafa Nada (8-3) was set to take on Algeria’s Abdel Rahmane Driai (9-2). Nada, a former Desert Force champ who had also competed for the likes of UAE Warriors and Brave CF, was 1-0 under the PFL banner to start the night.

Driai, a veteran of Oktagon MMA, was making his PFL debut in the fight.

The card comes on the heels of the announcement that PFL Africa will launch in Q2 2025.

Where to Watch PFL MENA 2

Friday, July 12 found the Professional Fighters League back in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at The Green Halls for PFL MENA 2. The event streams live via DAZN in the U.S. and Canada. Full results from Friday’s card can be found below. The broadcast gets underway at 11AM ET, 8AM PT.

PFL MENA 2: Nada vs. Driai

Mostafa Nada def. Abdel Rahmane Driai by KO, Round 1, 2:34
Mohammad Alaqraa def. Youcef Ouabbas by TKO, Round 3, 0:53
Jarrah Al-Selawe def. Rayan Atmani by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:20
Badreddine Diani def. Amir Fazli by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
Mohsen Mohammadseifi def. Josh Togo by TKO, Round 1, 3:33
Souhil Tahiri def. Ahmed Amir vs. by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Omar El Dafrawy def. Anthony Zeidan by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)
Hattan Alsaif def. Eman Baraka by TKO (retirement), Round 2, 3:00
Abdullah Saleem def. Omar Reguigui by submission (triangle choke), Round 1, 1:30
Georges Eid def. Abbas Khan by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
Ziad Ayman Mokhtar def. Hadi Omar Al Hussaini by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3

The post PFL MENA 2: Nada vs. Driai Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

In a press release issued Wednesday, league officials unveiled the four welterweight fights, which will be topped by Lucas Barbosa vs. Itso Babulaidze. The 2023 PFL Challenger Series will run across eight events from January 27 to March 17, airing live on Fubo Sports Network.

Welterweights are expected to kick off the season.

Competitors on each PFL Challenger Series card have a chance at securing a spot in the Professional Fighters League’s regular season — in turn affording them the opportunity to compete for one million dollars.

For Barbosa (2-1), the Challenger Series will mark his return to mixed martial arts for the first time since 2012. The Brazilian is a grappling champion, however, winning the IBJJF World Championship in both Gi and No-Gi categories in multiple years, while taking first place at several other competitions.

Babulaidze (2-0) is a Georgian who made his promotional debut for the PFL earlier this year, knocking out Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie.

The recently signed Quemuel Ottoni (12-3) will also appear on the Challenger Series this year, and one name on his record will stand out to fight fans. Brazil’s Ottoni is the only man to defeat current UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira in MMA, submitting the kickboxer in his mixed martial arts debut in 2015.

Ottoni will take on Jozef Wittner (16-2).

“The 2023 PFL Challenger Series provides world class talent a path to the PFL,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo, in Wednesday’s press release. “The Challenger Series continues the PFL’s commitment to finding the best talent in MMA around the world.”

The full line-up of welterweight match-ups on the 2023 Challenger Series breaks down as follows:

• Lucas Barbosa vs. Itso Babulaidze
• Eric Alequin vs. Thad Jean
• Quemuel Ottoni vs. Jozef Wittner
• Mostafa Rashed Neda vs. Nicholas Alley

The post PFL Announces Welterweight Match-Ups for 2023 Challenger Series appeared first on Cageside Press.