Abdullah Al-Qahtani made his pro debut in 2018 before becoming the first PFL fighter to represent Saudi Arabia when he competed during the 2023 season. A wrestling and Muay Thai specialist, including multiple amateur Muay Thai titles to his credit, Al-Qahtani defeated Lamar Brown and David Zelner last year before a win over Edukondal Rao in the PFL vs. Bellator card in February. Al-Qahtani defeated Yazeed Hasanain in May but lost to Abdalrahman Alhyasat in September.

 

Marouane Bellagouit is a skilled kickboxer, winning a National Championship in his home country of Morocco. Known as “The Snatcher”, Bellagouit made his pro MMA debut in 2022, winning six straight bouts before his first loss. Bellagouit finished Mido Mohamed in May but lost to Islam Reda in September.

 

Both men, however, managed to reach tonight’s finals on short notice as a result of Alhyasat and Reda being unable to make the walk tonight.

 

Who will close out the inaugural card of PFL MENA Championship bouts by claiming the PFL MENA Featherweight Title?

 

 

Round 1

 

A couple of strong right hands from Bellagouit. Right hand from Al-Qahtani. Low kick from Bellagouit. Jab from Al-Qahtani. Al-Qahtani drops Bellagouit with a right hand! He’s back up. Jab from Bellagouit. Right hand from Bellagouit that lands flush, and Al-Qahtani responds in kind. Low kick from Bellagouit One-two from Al-Qahtani as Bellagouit comes in. Bellagouit misses a one-two, and Al-Qahtani responds by landing his own combination. Low kick by Al-Qahtani. Strong combination from Bellagouit. Left hand lands for Al-Qahtani. Another strong left hook from Al-Qahtani. Right hand snaps Bellagouit’s head back, and Al-Qahtani fires a flurry!

 

Bellagouit stops the flurry with a clinch. One-two from Al-Qahtani. Knee from Bellagouit. Bellagouit presses Al-Qahtani into the fence, but Al-Qahtani pummels and gets off. Left hand from Bellagouit. Right hand from Al-Qahtani drops Bellagouit. He gets up, and Al-Qahtani rocks him again! Bellagouit goes down as Al-Qahtani unleashes his fists of fury! The fight is over!

 

 

Abdullah Al-Qahtani secures the PFL MENA Featherweight Championship!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

Abdullah Al-Qahtani defeats Marouane Bellagouit by 1st round TKO (3:21) in the PFL MENA Featherweight Championship to become the 2024 PFL MENA Featherweight Champion.

Al-Qahtani moves his career record to 10-2 with his 4th career knockout

Al-Qahtani fights out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and won this belt in front of his hometown crowd

Al-Qahtani is 26 years old, and now holds a 5-1 record in PFL competition