Badreddine Diani’s MMA journey began through Sambo, becoming a five-time African champion in the discipline. Diani then began his professional MMA career in 2016, though he had a three-year layoff from the sport after starting 2-0. Now entering tonight 7-3 with four finishes, Diani, the former regional welterweight champion, scored a first-round submission of Islam Sayed in his last fight in December.

 

Amir Fazli, meanwhile, began his MMA journey in 2019, six years after winning the World Wushu Championship at 80kg. Fazli, who enters tonight on a four-fight win streak, has scored five first-round stoppages in his six wins thus far. Fazli, a former regional middleweight champion, defeated Juscelino Ferreira Caetano by decision in his most recent outing in May 2023.

 

Who’s upward momentum will continue with a spot in the playoffs on the line?

 

 

Round 1

 

Fazli opens by throwing a spinning back kick. Low kick from Fazli. One-two drops Diani! Fazli gets on top and tries to work in Diani’s guard. Diani lands a couple of shots from the bottom. Diani gets back to his feet, but Fazli is keeping the pressure. Powerful hooks from Fazli. Diani scores a takedown. Fazli looks for a triangle but cannot get it.

 

Fazli looks to create distance. Fazli looks for another triangle, but it’s tough to get in with him so close to the fence. Diani lands shots to the body from up top. Diani transitions, stepping over the leg briefly to prevent another Fazli triangle attempt. Diani lands more shots to the body. Fazli looks to isolate an arm but can’t get it. Diani lands more with the left hand. Diani, in half guard, landing with the right hand. Diani looks for a front headlock before transitioning to the back. Diani gets up, with Fazli still laying on the ground, and that’s how the round ends.

 

 

Round 2

 

Not a lot of action at the start of round two. Fazli throws a spinning back fist to start things off. Diani shoots in for a takedown and is able to get it. Diani trying to land ground strikes right away. Fazli lands whatever he can from the bottom, in a bad position pressed up between Diani and the fence. Diani lands short combinations while on top, continuing to add up the strikes on the ground while Fazli brings little ground defense.

 

Diani lands several hard right hands to the body of Fazli. Diani continues to land, and Fazli is not providing much of an answer it seems. Fazli gets a leg up and tries to get Diani into his guard. Diani, however, transitions into half guard again. Diani tries to posture up and land. Diani returns to half guard. Fazli is busted open on his face, and Diani looks for an arm-triangle choke. Diani lands several right hands to the body again.

 

 

Round 3

 

Fazli tries to press forward and pressure Diani, looking to keep this fight on the feet it seems. Fazli feints a power shot. The two continue the feinting. Not a lot of action through the first 90 seconds of the round. Fazli lands a big leg kick. Diani tries to time it but can’t use it for a takedown. Both men land a left hand upstairs. Fazli with a straight punch to the body. Fazli misses a leg kick. Left hand flashed by Diani.

 

Left hand from Fazli. Both men trade lightly with two minutes left in the round. One-two misses for Fazli. Low kicks from Diani. Both men land a left. Fazli tries to close the distance. Fazli misses a big high kick. One-two misses for Fazli as he continues to move forward. Left hand from Fazli. Diani presses Fazli against the fence. Diani looks for a takedown. Diani lands several right hands. Diani looks for a takedown, but it only lands after the horn has sounded.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Badreddine “Dream Chaser” Diani defeats Amir Fazli by unanimous decision (30-27x2, 29-28) in a PFL MENA Welterweight Regular Season bout, earning his place in the 2024 PFL MENA Playoffs. He’ll face the winner of Mohammad Alaqraa vs. Youcef Ouabbas.

  • Diani moves his career record to 8-3
  • Diani is the former UAE Warriors Welterweight Champion
  • Diani fights out of Casablanca, Morocco