Saadi stuns Yahya as UAE star Zamzam makes dream PFL Mena debut in Dubai

The Professional Fighters League kicked off the 2026 PFL Mena season at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, where fans were treated to a night of tournament action, showcase bouts, and standout performances from across the region.

In the featherweight tournament main event, the UAE’s Mohammad Yahya faced Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi. Saadi opened the bout landing heavy calf kicks which forced the MMA veteran Yahya to change stances.

The home town hero “UAE Warrior” responded with heavy straights to push his opponent back. The second round saw the two featherweight tournament competitors trade leg kicks, knees, and punches in combination in a closely contested contest. Yahya stung with sharp punches to control round three en route to a split decision loss.

Saadi was ecstatic to have his hand raised by the referee: “It’s difficult to describe this sensation. Yahya was a very tough opponent so I feel amazing to have come out victorious and I’m proud of my performance.”

The co-main event featured a lightweight tournament quarterfinal between Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli and Algeria’s Ylies Djiroun. The Moroccan pressed in the clinch but met unrelenting power as Djiroun landed a combination of punches to the head and body which earned him a round 1 TKO. Dijroun was delighted with the knockout following the fight: “I didn’t have any real game plan, I just wanted to push him. And I knew if I pushed him on his cardio, my fitness would outlast him. I realised after the first situation on the ground, if we stand up, it’s finished for him.”

In another featherweight tournament quarter-final, Hamza Kooheji controlled the contest against Taha Bendaoud in a pivotal opening-round clash. Kooheji, who won via unanimous decision, said: “I dominated the whole fight so was confident when it went to a judges decision. I was very effective with my takedowns and happy with my performance. I can’t wait for the PFL semi-final.”

Rising Emirati prospect Zamzam Al Hammadi made her highly anticipated PFL Mena debut in the women’s strawweight amateur showcase against Egypt’s Abeer Mansour and earned a hard-fought decision. The 18-year-old was delighted to triumph in front of a home crowd in Dubai: “It was fantastic fighting in front of my mum for the first time. I saw my shadow as I walked out and was astonished by the amount of support I had at the Coca-Cola Arena. I can’t wait to get back in the Smartcage again in the PFL and hopefully I can get another victory.”

Mohammd Fahmi got a pass to the next round of this tournament as his scheduled opponent, Assem Ghanem, dropped out due to an injury. Fahmi commented: “I was ready to fight in my home country of UAE but these things (injuries) happen. I hope the next PFL Mena fight is in Dubai as well so I can showcase my talent.”

Ahmed El Sisy took a hard-earned win over Harda Karim in another lightweight tournament quarterfinal with major implications for the division. El Sisy was happy to overcome a tough challenger: “I followed my plan and felt sharp out there. He (Harda Karim) was a really tough opponent. I won the first round and then made a stupid mistake in the second which cost me the round. I’m delighted that I corrected everything in the third to win the fight.”

After being elevated to tournament status following changes to the card, Basel Shalaan and Abdullah Saleem met in an official lightweight tournament quarterfinal bout, with Shalaan taking the nod after a back-and-forth match. The Egyptian said: “I’m so proud to have won here in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena and show my skills to the UAE fans. I’ve been away from the cage for two years so it was a great opportunity for PFL - the best organisation in the world.”

With these impressive wins, Shalaan, El Sisy, Fahmi, and Djiroun advance to the semi-final round of the lightweight PFL Mena tournament.

In flyweight showcase action, Hamad Marhoon faced Saher Qasmieh in a fast-paced contest, with Jordan’s Qasmieh edging out a narrow split decision win. Ahmed Albrahim delivered a one-sided performance against Ibrahim Mahmoud in a welterweight showcase, securing a TKO victory through ground-and-pound. Opening the card, Butti Suwaid Alameri earned a dominant unanimous decision win over Hamada Osman in a featherweight amateur showcase bout.

The Professional Fighters League kicked off the 2026 PFL Mena season at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, where fans were treated to a night of tournament action, showcase bouts, and standout performances from across the region.

In the featherweight tournament main event, the UAE’s Mohammad Yahya faced Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi. Saadi opened the bout landing heavy calf kicks which forced the MMA veteran Yahya to change stances.

The home town hero “UAE Warrior” responded with heavy straights to push his opponent back. The second round saw the two featherweight tournament competitors trade leg kicks, knees, and punches in combination in a closely contested contest. Yahya stung with sharp punches to control round three en route to a split decision loss.

Saadi was ecstatic to have his hand raised by the referee: “It’s difficult to describe this sensation. Yahya was a very tough opponent so I feel amazing to have come out victorious and I’m proud of my performance.”

The co-main event featured a lightweight tournament quarterfinal between Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli and Algeria’s Ylies Djiroun. The Moroccan pressed in the clinch but met unrelenting power as Djiroun landed a combination of punches to the head and body which earned him a round 1 TKO. Dijroun was delighted with the knockout following the fight: “I didn’t have any real game plan, I just wanted to push him. And I knew if I pushed him on his cardio, my fitness would outlast him. I realised after the first situation on the ground, if we stand up, it’s finished for him.”

In another featherweight tournament quarter-final, Hamza Kooheji controlled the contest against Taha Bendaoud in a pivotal opening-round clash. Kooheji, who won via unanimous decision, said: “I dominated the whole fight so was confident when it went to a judges decision. I was very effective with my takedowns and happy with my performance. I can’t wait for the PFL semi-final.”

Rising Emirati prospect Zamzam Al Hammadi made her highly anticipated PFL Mena debut in the women’s strawweight amateur showcase against Egypt’s Abeer Mansour and earned a hard-fought decision. The 18-year-old was delighted to triumph in front of a home crowd in Dubai: “It was fantastic fighting in front of my mum for the first time. I saw my shadow as I walked out and was astonished by the amount of support I had at the Coca-Cola Arena. I can’t wait to get back in the Smartcage again in the PFL and hopefully I can get another victory.”

Mohammd Fahmi got a pass to the next round of this tournament as his scheduled opponent, Assem Ghanem, dropped out due to an injury. Fahmi commented: “I was ready to fight in my home country of UAE but these things (injuries) happen. I hope the next PFL Mena fight is in Dubai as well so I can showcase my talent.”

Ahmed El Sisy took a hard-earned win over Harda Karim in another lightweight tournament quarterfinal with major implications for the division. El Sisy was happy to overcome a tough challenger: “I followed my plan and felt sharp out there. He (Harda Karim) was a really tough opponent. I won the first round and then made a stupid mistake in the second which cost me the round. I’m delighted that I corrected everything in the third to win the fight.”

After being elevated to tournament status following changes to the card, Basel Shalaan and Abdullah Saleem met in an official lightweight tournament quarterfinal bout, with Shalaan taking the nod after a back-and-forth match. The Egyptian said: “I’m so proud to have won here in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena and show my skills to the UAE fans. I’ve been away from the cage for two years so it was a great opportunity for PFL - the best organisation in the world.”

With these impressive wins, Shalaan, El Sisy, Fahmi, and Djiroun advance to the semi-final round of the lightweight PFL Mena tournament.

In flyweight showcase action, Hamad Marhoon faced Saher Qasmieh in a fast-paced contest, with Jordan’s Qasmieh edging out a narrow split decision win. Ahmed Albrahim delivered a one-sided performance against Ibrahim Mahmoud in a welterweight showcase, securing a TKO victory through ground-and-pound. Opening the card, Butti Suwaid Alameri earned a dominant unanimous decision win over Hamada Osman in a featherweight amateur showcase bout.