Saudi Arabia's first female MMA fighter returns to Riyadh for PFL MENA 2
Saudi Arabia's first female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Hattan al-Saif will return to Riyadh for season 2 of PFL MENA.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns to the Middle East on Friday, July 4 with the top talent from across the region.
For more news on sports in Saudi Arabia, visit our dedicated page.
Local favorite al-Saif will to the SmartCage to face Nour al-Fliti, a three-time Lebanese MMA champion and IMMAF Asian Championship silver medalist.
In the main event, 2024 PFL MENA Welterweight Champion Omar el-Dafrawy will return to the Kingdom, where he captured his 2024 title.
With his toughest test to date ahead of him, el-Dafrawy will step back into the SmartCage to face 2024 PFL Europe Welterweight finalist Daniele Miceli in a high-profile showcase bout.
The co-main event features a pivotal Welterweight tournament clash between Kuwait's Mohammad al-Aqraa and Palestine's Omar Hussein.
Al-Aqraa, a 2024 PFL MENA finalist and the current division leader, is seeking redemption after suffering the first loss of his professional career in last year's finals.
Hussein, a former PFL Europe standout, is aiming to hand his Kuwaiti opponent a second defeat and make a strong statement on the Middle Eastern MMA scene.
In a highly anticipated Bantamweight Quarterfinal bout, Algeria's Moktar Benkaci will face Lebanon's Marcel Adur.
Both fighters are known for their explosive striking and finishing power, making this matchup a strong contender for the most thrilling bout of the night.
Rounding out the card, Abdulaziz Bin Moammar will also represent Saudi Arabia in an Amateur Lightweight Showcase bout against Egypt's Hassan Ahmed.
PFL MENA is a regional league launched by the PFL in partnership with SURJ Sports Investment.
Headquartered in Saudi Arabia, PFL MENA features the top MMA fighters from the Middle East and North Africa, competing in the PFL's distinctive 'win and advance' season format.
All events are staged live in the region and produced to world-class standards.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Hilal Captain Al-Dawsari Out of Club World Cup with Hamstring Injury
Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari will miss the remainder of the Club World Cup with a hamstring injury, the Saudi club said on Saturday. "Medical tests have confirmed that Salem Al-Dawsari has suffered from a hamstring injury. He will be undergoing a treatment and rehabilitation program that will last between four to six weeks," Al-Hilal said in a statement via X. This means Al-Dawsari will miss Monday's round of 16 clash against Manchester City. Al-Dawsari played a pivotal role in Al-Hilal's campaign in the Club World Cup, after scoring the opening goal in the team's 2-0 victory over Pachuca on Friday in the third round of the group stage. The win against Pachuca secured the four-times Asian champions qualification for the last 16 after they finished second in Group H behind Real Madrid.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Al-Hilal captain Al-Dawsari out of Club World Cup with hamstring injury
Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari will miss the remainder of the Club World Cup with a hamstring injury, the Saudi club said on Saturday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport 'Medical tests have confirmed that Salem Al-Dawsari has suffered from a hamstring injury. He will be undergoing a treatment and rehabilitation program that will last between four to six weeks,' Al-Hilal said in a statement via X. This means Al-Dawsari will miss Monday's round of 16 clash against Manchester City. Al-Dawsari played a pivotal role in Al-Hilal's campaign in the Club World Cup, after scoring the opening goal in the team's 2-0 victory over Pachuca on Friday in the third round of the group stage. The win against Pachuca secured the four-times Asian champions qualification for the last 16 after they finished second in Group H behind Real Madrid.
Arab News
8 hours ago
- Arab News
SmackDown thrills Riyadh as WWE superstars set stage for Night of Champions showdown
RIYADH: WWE delivered an electrifying spectacle in the Saudi capital on Friday night, as Kingdom Arena roared with excitement for SmackDown, a flagship event under Riyadh Season 2025. Fans packed every seat, demonstrating once again Saudi Arabia's growing passion for world-class sports entertainment. The night began with a surprise appearance by global superstars Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, whose entrance drew thunderous applause as they built anticipation for their highly awaited clash on Saturday at Night of Champions. Orton addressed the jubilant crowd, saying, 'I am honored to be in your country. You are a great people with a wonderful culture. Saudi Arabia is amazing — every time I travel 15 hours to come here, I feel happier than the time before.' The action inside the ring did not disappoint. In a fierce contest for the WWE United States Women's Championship, Julia showcased her brilliance with a decisive win over the experienced Zelina Vega, capturing the title for a third time and cementing her status among the division's elite. Tiffany Stratton retained her title in one of the night's most brutal encounters, overcoming Nia Jax in a punishing Last Woman Standing match that had been simmering for weeks. The high-intensity showdown saw the arena's surroundings reduced to chaos before Stratton finally sealed her victory. Tag team action added to the drama, as The Street Profits defended their titles against The Wyatt Six in a heated bout that ended in a chaotic no-contest. The titleholders retained their belts, but with tensions unresolved, a rematch seems all but certain. In a performance that ignited the fans, Andrea and Reina Faklis overcame the team of DAW in a hard-fought contest, closing with a spectacular finishing move that brought Kingdom Arena to its feet. Meanwhile, rising star JC Mateo delivered a statement performance with a smart, resilient victory over veteran Jimmy Uso, reinforcing his status as a name to watch in WWE's future. Eyes across the Kingdom now turn to Saturday's blockbuster 'King and Queen of the Ring' event, promising even more high-octane drama. A showpiece undisputed WWE Championship clash will see John Cena face CM Punk in a bout certain to rekindle memories of their iconic rivalry. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton will square off in the King of the Ring final, while Jade Cargill goes head-to-head with Japanese superstar Asuka for the Queen of the Ring crown. Other headline matchups include a United States Championship battle between Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa, a no-holds-barred Street Fight pitting Rhea Ripley against Raquel Rodriguez, and a highly anticipated contest featuring Sami Zayn against Karrion Kross — all set to cap a monumental weekend for WWE fans in Riyadh.
