Alkass Digital
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) will host mixed martial arts (MMA) events and promos in Qatar next year, CEO Peter Murray said ahead of the PFL Middle East and North Africa (MENA) launch at The Green Halls in Riyadh. As the second-biggest MMA organization, the PFL has been gaining traction in viewership and attracting some of the top names in combat sports. In 2023, it most notably signed one of the biggest names, Francis Ngannou.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune after the customary weigh-ins, Murray said while the PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development, it is committed to growing the sport in the MENA region.
“We plan to stage and promote events in Qatar next year,” Murray said, adding that PFL is excited about the opportunity within the Middle East and Africa beyond Saudi Arabia, especially with Qatar, Jordan and Dubai showing potential.
“Concerning Qatar, we’re having conversations regarding hosting events there next year at the global level. Our global season events, world championship-type events, mega-events, and PFL MENA regional league events with some of the best talent in the world will descend upon MENA, including Qatar. We are set on it and having robust conversations; the planning is in the works, and we are looking forward to making some announcements very soon,” he added.
Meanwhile, the new PFL MENA will feature fighters from the Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions competing in the patented PFL Playoff win and advance format. MBC will distribute the content globally and in the region. The PFL announced earlier that Riyadh would be the first instalment of the four-event sport-season format featuring the region’s top fighters.
“We have eight nations represented on the roster of MENA. Some of the best fighters throughout the region are on this roster. We have four weight classes and four champions for the launch. They are the best of the best, and they’ve been waiting for this opportunity to compete in a seasoned format,” Murray noted. The format will see fighters compete in a regular season, playoff and the championship, which will be held later in the year.
“They’ve signed with the PFL to earn their way to become champions. Once that happens at the end of this season in 2024, they’ll have a pathway up to the PFL global season. We’re creating the Champions League of MMA. But (for these fighters), it all starts here in Riyadh.”
With 10 fights scheduled for the opener, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al Qahtani headlines the card. Penned initially to face Moroccan Taha Bendaoud, the ‘Reaper’ will now take on Jordan’s Yazeed Hasanain after the Moroccan missed the weight cut. At the same time, bantamweights Ali Taleb and Nawras Abzakh are primed to slug it out in the other top-card fight.
History will be made when the women take to the cage as home talent Hattan Al Saif battles Egypt’s Nada Faheem in the amateur women’s bantomweight.
“I love this sport, even though I am a woman. I still like to wear my manicure and carry my small bag, but I still love this sport.” Al Saif said.
After signing with the PFL earlier this year, Al Saif became the first Saudi female in the sport. She stressed the importance of representing her country and people.
“I have a bit of nerve because I represent a great country. It’s a bit heavy, but I am sure I am the right person to do this, and I am proud of it,” she added.