Hattan al-Saif Headlines Historic Return as PFL MENA Season 2 Comes to Riyadh
In a groundbreaking moment for combat sports, Saudi Arabia’s first female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, Hattan al-Saif, is set to make her return to the SmartCage in Riyadh for Season 2 of PFL MENA, set for Friday, July 4. The spotlight will shine brightly on al-Saif as she takes on Nour al-Fliti, a three-time Lebanese MMA champion and IMMAF Asian Championship silver medalist.
The event, part of the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) expansion into the Middle East and North Africa, promises a thrilling night of elite regional talent. Fans across the region are gearing up to witness the evolution of MMA, with fighters competing in PFL’s signature “win and advance” season format.
A major draw of the evening will be the main event, where 2024 PFL MENA Welterweight Champion Omar el-Dafrawy returns to the Kingdom – the same battleground where he won his title – to face off against 2024 PFL Europe Welterweight finalist Daniele Miceli. The showdown is being touted as el-Dafrawy’s toughest test to date, with fans eager to see how the champion matches up against international competition.
In the co-main event, tensions will be high as Mohammad al-Aqraa from Kuwait takes on Palestine’s Omar Hussein in a pivotal Welterweight tournament bout. Al-Aqraa enters as the division leader and a 2024 finalist, looking to bounce back from his first career loss. Meanwhile, Hussein, a former PFL Europe contender, aims to establish himself on the MENA stage and deliver al-Aqraa a second defeat.
The card also features a high-octane Bantamweight Quarterfinal bout between Algeria’s Moktar Benkaci and Lebanon’s Marcel Adur. Both fighters are known for their explosive striking and knockout power, setting the stage for what could be the most exciting match of the evening.
Rounding out the action is another local favorite, Abdulaziz Bin Moammar, who will represent Saudi Arabia in an Amateur Lightweight Showcase against Egypt’s Hassan Ahmed.
Launched through a strategic partnership between PFL and SURJ Sports Investment, PFL MENA is headquartered in Saudi Arabia and brings together the top MMA talent from the Middle East and North Africa. Staged live across the region and produced to world-class standards, the league serves as a platform for emerging stars aiming to pave their way to international prominence.
Fans and analysts alike await July 4 with anticipation, as Riyadh becomes the epicenter of professional MMA in the Middle East once again.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
