At 5-1-1, Hadi Omar Al Hussaini, a top prospect in this sport, signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL in 2024. Al Hussaini, who trains out of the American Kickboxing Academy, has four wins coming in the first round. He suffered his first pro defeat in the PFL, however, getting submitted by Ziad Ayman Mokhtar in PFL MENA.

 

Ruel Panales’s martial arts journey began with Taekwondo when he was younger, before eventually training in Muay Thai and joining MMA in 2020. He won three fights in one night to win a tournament on the regional scene to start his professional MMA career in 2021. Panales, who has scored finishes in all five fights, four of which came in the first round, dropped a decision to Kierandip Singh Sahota in August.

 

Which fighter will score a rebound victory to start their 2025 campaign?

 

 

Round 1

 

Panales with a high kick, but Al Hussaini comes out with a blitz! Al Hussaini brings out combinations that backs up Panales, and Al Hussaini gets him to the ground. There’s already swelling around one of Panales’s eyes! Al Hussaini steps over into half guard, locking down a leg. Strong punches from up top. Panales recovers his guard and gets his legs up. Al Hussaini rains down right hands in this fast-paced start to this fight. Panales gets back to his feet – only for Al Hussaini to dump him right back down.

 

There’s some nasty swelling and blood trickling down from the area of one of Panales’s eyes. Al Hussaini in complete control, placing pressure on the head and neck. Al Hussaini works his way into a controlling mount. Panales looks to throw from bottom, but Al Hussaini pours on with both hands. Al Hussaini with some heavy elbows! Panales throws elbows back, but they aren’t doing much. Panales explodes and now he’s on top! Panales lands a couple of strong elbows! Al Hussaini goes for an armbar, but Panales stands up out of it.

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kicks from Al Hussaini here, a slower start to this round as compared to the other. Panales with a straight left and a right hook. Al Hussaini with a cross. Al Hussaini comes forward, but Panales makes him eat a combination. Kicks from both men. Low kick from Panales. Head kick from Panales is blocked. Low kick from Panales. Low kick again, but Al Hussaini responds with a right hand. Panales with a one-two and a high kick, which only partially lands. Body kick from Al Hussaini. Another kick from Al Hussaini. Side kick by Panales. Panales with a left hand.

 

Front kick from Al Hussaini. Al Hussaini answers a punch from Panales with a takedown, which easily lands. Panales sitting up against the fence. Al Hussaini landing left hands before Panales returns to his feet. Side kick from Panales. Round kick from Al Hussaini to the body. Body kick and a right hand from Panales. Low kick from Panales, and a right hand from Al Hussani. One-two from Panales, but Al Hussaini lands a shot on the inside, which causes Panales to scramble away. High kick from Panales and a right hand from Al Hussaini.

 

 

Round 3

 

Left hand from Al Hussaini misses. Another left hand from Al Hussaini. Front kick from Al Hussaini. Body kick from Al Hussaini, who is trying to keep away from Panales’s power. High kick from Panales, but Al Hussaini answers with a takedown. Al Hussaini avoids a triangle and gets into Panales’s guard. Al Hussaini with a hammerfist. Al Hussaini looks to clear half guard. Al Hussaini stands but has to avoid the upkicks from Panales. Al Hussaini gets right back into side control.

 

Right hand from Al Hussaini, who is doing work in Panales’s guard. Al Hussaini circles Panales off the fence, trying to make it harder for him to get up. Al Hussaini is relentless with strikes and pressure now, making it harder for Panales to defend himself. The slower round two definitely seemed to pay off for Al Hussaini here.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)