Sherdog’s live
2025 PFL MENA 1 coverage will begin Friday morning at
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Round 1
An amateur bout at a 166-pound catchweight kicks off festivities,
as Saudi Arabia’s Moammar meets Algeria’s Hamdani. Basheer Reda
administers the law and order. Glove touch gets us going. Hamdani
probes with his lead hand, looking to gauge distance as he gathers
information. They circle in the center of the cage. Moammar
connects with a powerful leg kick, then another. Hamdani looks to
stay light on his feet. Two minutes to go. Hamdani lands a leg kick
of his own, as Moammar closes the distance and crashes into the
clinch. They jockey for position along the fence. Hamdani using
underhooks to keep Moammar at bay. Hamdani reverses position with a
minute left in the round. Moammar secures a takedown and sheds a
guillotine choke. Hamdani immediately scrambles to his feet. Once
again, they settle into the clinch. Moammar hunts for another
takedown as time runs out.
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Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moammar
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Moammar
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Moammar
Round 2
Moammar urges more support from the hometown crowd at the start of
Round 2. Hamdani misses an overhand right, resets and ducks into a
takedown. Moammar gets back to his feet without issue. Hamdani
persists and completes another takedown, then settles in half
guard. Moammar pesters him with punches from the bottom. Hamdani
mixes in a few hammerfists, flirts with an arm-triangle and looks
to posture. One minute to go in the round. Hamdani climbs to full
mount. Moammar looks to bridge out, to no avail. Hamdani lures him
into a triangle and cinches the choke. Can Moammar hang on? Yes, he
survives.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hamdani
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Hamdani
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Hamdani
Round 3
Anyone’s fight as we start Round 3. Both men look weary after a
taxing first six minutes. Hamdani flicks his lead hand and circles.
Neither man offering much offense. Hamdani misses a Superman punch
and retreats, then shoots for an attempted takedown and clinches
along the fence. Moammar presses him into the cage, changes levels
and lifts his opponent with a single-leg. Hamdani manages to stay
upright. Moammar locks his hands behind the hips and secures a
takedown but only briefly. Hamdani scrambles back to his feet, and
they go back to work in the clinch. A minute to go. Moammar leaning
on the Algerian and fires a few close-range knees. Moammar gets a
key takedown, stands and kicks at the legs. Hamdani gets back to
his feet. Moammar somersaults into a kick as the fight ends.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moammar (29-28 Moammar)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Moammar (29-28 Moammar)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Moammar (29-28 Moammar)
The Official Result
Abdulaziz Al Moammar def. Fares Hamdani—Unanimous Decision
Showcase Women’s Featherweight Bout:
Eman
Almudhaf (146) vs. Shamara
Braga (145.6)
Round 1
Women’s featherweights are next to the stage, as Kuwait’s Almudhaf
(4-0, 0-0 PFL) takes on Brazil’s Braga (5-3, 0-0 PFL) at 145
pounds. Almudhaf has finished all four of her opponents. Gerd
Richter draws the officiating assignment. They touch gloves and get
down to business. They swing wildly, with Almudhaf in the center of
the cage. Straight punches from Braga, who switches stances and
feints. Almudhaf clinches and gets off some dirty boxing. Braga
answers with knees to the body. Almudhaf presses her into the
fence, as they exchange knees. More dirty boxing from Almudhaf. No
discernible edge for either woman yet. Braga circles out and
connects with a series of knees to the body. Almudhaf secures a
takedown but cannot corral the Brazilian. More knees from Braga.
Almudhaf drops for a takedown. No luck. Braga wheels behind her and
scores with knees to the quadriceps. She grabs the Thai clinch and
fires knees to the body and head. No answers from Almudhaf. Braga
flurries along the fence with 30 seconds to go, then follows with a
standing elbow and more knees.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Braga
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Braga
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Braga
Round 2
Can Almudhaf make the necessary adjustments? She presses forward
and throws out a head kick that misses the target. Braga circles in
her southpaw stance. Almudhaf strings a few punches together, then
lands a right hand over the top. She moves forward behind a leg
kick, then another, and fires a right hand behind them. Sharp right
hand over the top from Almudhaf. Braga retreats without answering
and draws a warning for extending her fingers. The Brazilian fires
a right hook to the body and a left hook upstairs. Almudhaf seems
to be the fresher of the two. Eye poke from the Brazilian results
in a pause to the action. Almudhaf not happy with the foul. She
pumps out her jab on the restart, stays light on her feet and
pushes Braga backward. Leg kick from the Brazilian. Braga answers
jabs with leg kicks. Almudhaf bounces on the balls of her feet and
uncorks a one-two, followed by an overhand right. Braga pulling
something of a disappearing act her in the middle stanza. Almudhaf
ducks into a double-leg and powers into a takedown, landing in side
control with 20 seconds to go. She postures and lands elbows as the
round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf
Round 3
Outcome looks to be up in the air at the start of the third round.
Almudhaf takes the center of the cage and connects with an inside
leg kick. Lead left hook from the Kuwaiti. She follows it with a
one-two and shoots on the hips. Braga denies the takedown, sucks
her into the clinch and fires knees to the body. Pretty clear
Almudhaf does not want to be in the clinch. They separate. Almudhaf
changes levels and shoots. No luck. Referee urges action as the
stall along the fence. Short punches from Braga, followed by
another knee to the body. Almudhaf presses her into the cage but
fails to offer much else. Restart with a little more than two
minutes to go. Inside leg kick from Almudhaf, who bounces forward
and slams home a right hand. Nice body kick from Almudhaf, who
follows it with a jab. Braga presses her into the fence, lands
knees to the body and concedes a brief takedown. The Brazilian gets
back to her feet, balances against the cage and scores with short
punches. Almudhaf leans into the clinch, drawing another prompt for
action from the referee. She delivers a takedown with 10 seconds
left, perhaps salting away the decision.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf (29-28 Almudhaf)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf (29-28 Almudhaf)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Almudhaf (29-28 Almudhaf)
The Official Result
Eman Almudhaf def. Shamara Braga—Split Decision
Round 1
They keep the line moving with the first PFL MENA lightweight
quarterfinal, as Kuwait’s Saleem (5-0, 0-0 PFL) locks horns with
Algeria’s Tairi (7-6-1, 1-2 PFL). At a 6.5-inch reach disadvantage,
Saleem has four first-round finishes to his credit. Sam Amidi steps
in as the third man in the cage. They greet each other with a glove
touch. Tairi moves forward, unleashes a leg kick and retreats
briefly in the face of some mild return fire. Saleem blocks a head
kick and circles on the outside, then plunges forward behind an
overhand right. He ducks into a body lock and drags Tairi to the
mat. He jumps to the back, threads one hook and threatens the neck.
Both hooks in now. Ref warns Tairi for having his toes in the cage.
Action stalls. Saleem bleeding from a cut near his right eye. He
moves to half guard. Tairi reclaims full guard and uncorks elbows
to the top of the head. Saleem postures and eats a few upkicks on
the way in. Saleem pushes back into half guard, then fishes for a
heel kicks. Tairi lands an illegal kick on his grounded opponent in
the closing seconds. Tairi loses a point.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Saleem
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 9-9
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-8 Saleem
Round 2
They meet in the middle and exchange punches. Inside leg kick from
Saleem. Front kick to the body from Tairi. He presses forward and
narrowly misses an overhand right. Tairi steps into a knee to the
body but wanders into the clinch. Tairi connects with a left hook
and an overhand right as they separate. Saleem clinches, eats some
shots, resets and shoots on a single-leg. Tairi shuts it down. Back
they go to the clinch. Tairi lands knees and short punches, then
follows it with an overhand right. Saleem in retreat mode. Tairi
powers into top position, scores with punches, postures and lands a
standing-to-ground right. Tairi maneuvers behind the unbeaten
Kuwaiti, who’s an all fours in a defensive shell. Unanswered rights
from Tairi. Saleem escapes to his feet.
Tairi sprawls on a takedown attempt, pancakes downward and lands a
few right hands, prompting what appeared to be a premature
stoppage.
The Official Result
Souhil Tairi def. Abdullah Saleem—TKO (Punches) 3:21 R2
Round 1
Next up: A lightweight affair pitting Saudi Arabia’s retiring Makki
(1-3-1, 0-0 PFL) against Egypt’s Elnamer (3-0, 0-0 PFL) at 155
pounds. Amidi answers the call to referee. Tentative start. Elnamer
alternating stances and throws out some range-finding jabs. The
5-foot-3 Makki works on the outside and scores with a leg kick.
Elnamer jabs and resets. Referee urges more action. Makki taps the
Egyptian with a left hook. They circle back to the center. Side
kick to the body from Elnamer. Makki answers with a leg kick.
Another side kick to the body from Elnamer. Some hand fighting
ensues, and they clinch. Makki rotates and presses his opponent
into the fence. They eventually separate and trade shots from the
outside.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Elnamer
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Elnamer
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Elnamer
Round 2
Back to work. Leg kick from Makki. Elnamer triples up on his jab,
looking to exploit visible height and reach advantages on the
diminutive Saudi. Makki closes the distance and clinches along the
fence. Elnamer separates without issue. He looks for elbows, only
to eat a counter right hand. Makki again clinches and trips his
opponent to the canvas. Three minutes to go. Makki operates in side
control, applying heavy pressure. Elnamer scrambles to his feet,
only to be taken down again. Makki in half guard this time. He
progresses to mount but squanders position. Elnamer gets to his
feet and grabs a collar-tie, hunting for elbows and knees. Makki’s
pace slowing here, perhaps a byproduct of all the grappling.
Elnamer probes for openings from the outside. Makki closes in a
gain and clinches. Another takedown for the Saudi. That should nail
down the round for him. He moves to side control and scores with
some ground-and-pound.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Makki
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Makki
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Makki
Round 3
Looks to be anyone’s fight. Both men offer brief applause for one
another. Elnamer whiffs on a tornado kick, though it drew some oohs
and aahs from the crowd. Makki blocks a head kick. Elnamer turns to
his jab and eats a counter right. Makki denies a takedown and
wheels behind his counterpart, setting both hooks. He immediately
threatens the neck.
Makki settles in half guard. He postures and sits back on a heel
hook. Elnamer struggles briefly, then taps.
The Official Result
Ahmed Makki def. Hasham Elnamer—Submission (Heel Hook) 2:02
R3
Round 1
The second PFL MENA lightweight quarterfinal now steps into the
spotlight, as Lebanon’s Eid (10-5, 2-1 PFL) locks horns with Iran’s
undefeated Fahmi (4-0, 0-0 PFL). Eid was a PFL runner-up in 2024.
Richter administers the law and order. Glove touch gets them
started. Eid operates from the center of the cage. Eid cracks the
Iranian with a pair of left hooks and sprawls on an attempted
takedown. Wide stance for Fahmi. Eid sends out feelers with his
jab, sprawls on a takedown and unleashes a clubbing right hook.
Fahmi shoots on a single-leg and completes a takedown. He dodges
upkicks and stacks in full guard. Fahmi postures with hammerfists,
then goes chest to chest. Eid threatens a triangle.
Fahmi passes guard and sits back on a brabo choke. Eid struggles to
free himself, turns a dark shade of purple and
taps.
The Official Result
Mohammad Fahmi def. Georges Eid—Submission (Brabo Choke) 3:13
R1
Featherweight Tournament Bout:
Islam
Reda (145.8) vs. Akram Nasri
(145.5)
Round 1
A PFL MENA featherweight quarterfinal gets the ball rolling on the
main card, as Egypt’s Reda (12-1, 2-0 PFL) toes the line against
Algeria’s Nasri (3-0, 0-0 PFL) at 145 pounds. Reda enters the cage
on a six-fight winning streak. Rada draws the officiating
assignment. Spinning back kick to the body from Nasri. Reda shoots
on a single-leg. Denied. Reda trades leg kicks with the Algerian.
Reda shoots on another single-leg and presses his opponent into the
cage. Nasri counters with a front headlock. Reda secures a takedown
but cannot keep Nasri on the canvas. Nasri scrambles to his feet
and bites down on a front headlock again, forcing a separation.
Reda lands a left hook. Nasri pushes into the clinch. They separate
again. Nasri the clear aggressor thus far. Reda shoots on the hips
and completes a takedown and settles in full guard. Nasri employs
an active bottom game. Reda passes to side control, but Nasri
scrambles back to his feet. Nasri gets away with a knee below the
belt. Reda winces in pain and looks to the referee for some
assistance. When he finds none, he lands another takedown. Nasri
threatens with a ninja choke in the closing seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reda
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Reda
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Reda
Round 2
They circle in the center. Reda opens with a leg kick and dodges a
wheel kick. Hook kick from Nasri grazes its target. He follows with
a left hook, overhand right and spinning back kick to the body.
Sharp low kick from Reda. Nasri changes levels for a takedown.
Nasri bites down on a guillotine and briefly rolls to a mounted
position. Reda escapes and moves into top position, settling in
half guard. He flirts with a kimura and chooses to drop an elbow
instead. Nasri reclaims full guard and gets back to his feet. He
lands a few knees from the clinch and separates. Reda ducks into a
takedown and gets busy in full guard. Ground-and-pound ensues. Reda
climbs to full mount with 90 seconds left in the round. Nasri
reclaims half guard. Reda works to pass again. He progresses to
side control but cannot keep Nasri down. Back to their feet they
go. They trade overhand rights. Reda flicks out his jab. Strong low
kick from Nasri. Another spinning kick goes wide as the round
ends.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nasri
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Nasri
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Nasri
Round 3
Reda opens with a labored low kick, then fires a sharper one behind
it. Reda shoots, overcomes a sprawl and completes the takedown
inside the first minute. He takes a crouched position above Nasri
and passes to half guard. Nasri shrimps back to full guard,
continuing to cause problems with his grappling defense. Reda
slides from side control to full mount, then settles in half guard.
He drops short elbows. Nasri gets back to his feet, only to be
taken down again. Reda back in top position and hunts a kimura from
half guard. Nasri may finally be running out of gas. Reda throws
punches and elbows from half guard. Ninety seconds left, and
momentum is in Reda’s corner. He again flirts with a kimura. He
climbs to full mount with 45 seconds to go and cuts loose with
hammerfists. Nasri rolls to his belly and gets flattened out. Reda
lands a few more punches to procure the stoppage.
The Official Result
Islam Reda def. Akram Nasri—TKO (Punches) 4:32 R3
Featherweight Tournament Bout:
Hussein
Salem (145.7) vs. Assem
Ghanem (145.7)
Round 1
The second PFL MENA featherweight quarterfinal keeps the audience
engaged, as Iraq’s Salem (13-5, 0-0 PFL) puts Egypt’s unbeaten
Ghanem (6-0, 0-0 PFL) to the test. Salem boasts 12 finishes among
his 13 career victories. Amidi steps in as the third man in the
cage. They touch gloves and get to work. Salem narrowly misses an
overhand right. Nice one-two from Ghanem. He presses into the
clinch along the fence. They trade knees at close range. Ghanem
changes levels and dips into a takedown. Salem counters with a
guillotine and clings to it, perhaps too stubbornly. Ghanem stays
calm, breaks the grip and scores with ground-and-pound. Referee
warns Salem for sticking his toes in the cage for leverage. Ghanem
works punches to the body in full guard. Ghanem stands and fires a
downward right hand. He settles in half guard. Referee deducts a
point from Salem for sticking his toes in the cage.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Ghanem
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-8 Ghanem
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-8 Ghanem
Round 2
They meet in the middle for the second round. Salem lands with a
leg kick and a two-punch volley. Ghanem slips on a front kick but
gets to his feet before his opponent can capitalize. Tepid start
from both men. They trade jabs. Ghanem sneaks in an overhand right
and follows it with a left hook, briefly knocking the Iraqi
off-balance. Ghanem shoots on the hips and secures a takedown
midway through the round. Salem rolls for an armbar, then
transitions to a kneebar. Ghanem answers with brutal punches and
maneuvers behind his opponent. He cinches the rear-naked choke and
goes palm-to-palm with his grip, but the finish eludes him. Ghanem
scrambles on top. Ninety seconds left. Ghanem hammers away with
short punches to the body and head. Salem offers a few elbows off
his back. Ghanem answers and maintains top position. He postures
with hammerfists and appears to salt away another round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem
Round 3
Salem needs a finish here. Ghanem decks the Iraqi with an overhand
right and pounces with follow-up punches. He lands in side control
and goes to work with more ground-and-pound. Clearly in survival
mode, a spent Salem reclaims full guard. Ghanem drives a few elbows
into his face. Ref warns Salem for punches to the back of the head.
Pace slows. Ghanem in control midway through the round. Elbows and
forearm strikes from the undefeated Egyptian. Salem looks for a
triangle but finds no avenue for the submission. Ghanem resumes his
assault from top position with punches, elbows and suffocating
control. Referee asks for more action. Salem creates some space but
eats a standing-to-ground right for his efforts. Ghanem dodges a
heel hook attempt and spins into full mount, firing away with
elbows, punches and hammerfists until the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Ghanem (30-25 Ghanem)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem (30-26 Ghanem)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ghanem (30-26 Ghanem)
The Official Result
Assem Ghanem def. Hussein Salem—Unanimous Decision
Round 1
Next up: a flyweight showcase between Saudi Arabia’s Basahel (0-0,
0-0 PFL) and Algeria’s Boutouta (1-0, 0-0 PFL) at 125 pounds. Rada
answers the call to referee. They start with a glove touch. Basahal
takes the center of the cage and switches between orthodox and
southpaw. He jabs to the body. Boutouota looks a little gun-shy in
the early going. They circle, and Basahel fakes a level change. He
connects with a right hand over the top, shoots and completes a
takedown. Boutouta scrambles out, and they separate. Basahel
completes another takedown and goes to work from half guard.
Boutouta gets back to his feet and clings to a single-leg. They
separate again. They trade body kicks. Basahal stalks from the
center and allows Boutouta to burn energy. He clips Boutouta with a
left hook. They clinch along the fence. Basahel lifts his opponent
off the ground with a knee to the body. Referee warns Boutouta for
grabbing the cage in the clinch. Round ends in a stalemate.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Basahel
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Basahel
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Basahel
Round 2
Boutouta has some work to do to make this more competitive. Basahel
steps forward, flicks a jab and connects with a one-two. He shuts
down a takedown attempt with a knee to the body and powers into top
position. Punches to the head and body follow, along with a few
elbows. Boutouta tries to push the Saudi Arabia prospect away with
an upkick. No luck. Basahel takes a crouches position above him and
scores with ground-and-pound. Boutouta shrimps away and gets back
to his feet.
Basahel connects with a left hook, stonewalls a takedown and
clinches in the center of the cage. They trade knees. Basahel
scrambles out of a takedown, moves into top position and cuts loose
with a series of unanswered punches to finish the
job.
The Official Result
Malik Basahel def. Mountasser Boutouta—TKO (Punches) 2:33 R2
Round 1
Business picks up with the third PFL MENA lightweight quarterfinal,
as Morocco’s undefeated Hamli (8-0, 0-0 PFL) battles Pakistan’s
Khan (8-3, 0-1 PFL) for a seat in the Final Four at 155 pounds in
the co-main event. Rada draws the officiating assignment. A
customary glove touch gets them started. Hamli opens with two
thudding leg kicks. Khan circles on the outside and strings a few
punches together. Hamli answers with a straight left. Khan whiffs
on an overhand right. Hamli getting his rear hand in gear, shooting
left hands to the body and head. He catches a kick, closes the
distance and secures a takedown from the clinch. He threads one
hook, then another, and flattens out Khan. Hamli gets busy with
punches, makes a pass at a face crank and slips and arm underneath
the chin. Khan defends. Two minutes to go. Khan reverses position.
Hamli calmly scrambles to his feet, turns and faces in the clinch,
trades punches and nearly drags Khan back to the floor. Wide
strength and technique differential so far. They separate with 30
seconds to go. Hamli lands a low kick. Khan connects with a left
hook and sits down Hamli in the closing seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
Round 2
Back at it for Round 2. Khan comes out winging overhands. Hamli
responds with repeated low kicks. Khan denies a takedown and nearly
completes one of his own. They clinch. Khan sprawls on a takedown
attempt and turns his opponent into the fence. They jockey for
position. Khan makes a pass at a high-crotch single-leg. No luck.
Hamli separates and pins Khan to the cage with punches. Khan
answers and forces a reset. Hamli sneaks behind his counterpart and
lands punches to the side of the head before driving him to the
mat. More punches follow, with Khan in a kneeling position. Hamli
drags him into the north-south position before settling in half
guard. He pairs those efforts with ground-and-pound, postures up
and forces a scramble. Hamil sprawls and briefly frames a brabo
choke. He switches to more ground-and-pound and looks to have a
commanding two rounds to none lead.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Hamli
Round 3
Khan almost certainly needs a finish. They circle one another in
the center of the cage. Khan answers a body kick with an overhand
right. Hamli closes the distance and presses his opponent into the
fence, then slips behind him and drags him to the floor. Left hands
pepper Khan to the side of the head. Even so, he briefly works back
to his feet.
Hamli pressures him to the canvas once more and jumps to the back
with a body triangle. Khan not enjoying life right now. Hamli slips
an arm under the chin, secures the choke and nets the
submission.
The Official Result
Salah Eddine Hamli def. Abbas Khan—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
2:04 R3
Round 1
Iran’s Mohammadseifi (7-2, 3-0 PFL) and Egypt’s El Sisy (6-1, 0-0
PFL) close the show, as their PFL MENA lightweight quarterfinal
doubles as the headliner. On a seven-fight winning streak,
Mohammadseifi was the 2024 PFL MENA champion at 155 pounds. Amidi
answers the call to referee. El Sisy moves to the center of the
cage, light on his feet. Mohammadseifi introduces himself with a
leg kick and a powerful jab. El Sisy lands a glancing head kick,
then gets tripped to the floor. El Sisy grabs a single-leg but goes
nowhere. They trade punches at close range. El Sisy counters a jab
to the body with a left hook, then eats a clubbing overhand right.
Mohammadseifi denies another takedown. He bullies El Sisy to the
mat and hunts a kill shot. He finds none. After a flurry and a
scramble, they get back to the center of the cage. El Sisy sneaks
in a right hand, but he is becoming increasingly more stationary.
Mohammadseifi content to stand in the center and fling power
punches. They clinch, and El Sisy eats a knee to the body.
Mohammadseifi lands a clubbing overhand. El Sisy secures a
single-leg takedown with 10 seconds left in the round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Round 2
El Sisy has a small cut near his left eye. Mohammadseifi slips out
a single-leg attempt. He whiffs on a head kick and a wild overhand
right. They exchange punches in the center of the cage. Nothing of
substance connects. Elsy shoots a left hook to the body and follows
it with a jab. Mohammadseifi connects with a clubbing left and
opens a cut near the other eye. El Sisy jabs and circles.
Mohammadseifi counters a body kick with an overhand right. El Sisy
clings to a single-leg but absorbs a series of uppercuts for his
troubles. Mohammadseifi sprawls on a takedown, uses the cage to
balance himself and separates. El Sisy leans on his jab.
Mohammadseifi answers with an inside leg kick. Ninety seconds to go
in this round. Mohammadseifi lands a slashing left hook and gives
the Egyptian pause. El Sisy missing far more than he lands, leaving
himself open for return fire. Mohammadseifi gets busy with a series
of hooks from both hands and appears to have El Sisy reeling as the
bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Round 3
Valiant thus far, El Sisy probably needs a finish to advance. He
greets the defending champion with punches. Mohammadseifi responds
with a vicious inside leg kick and another. El Sisy clinches in the
center and scores with some dirty boxing. Mohammadseifi connects
with a left hook and denies a takedown. Another inside leg kick
from the Iranian. Mohammadseifi lands an overhand right. El Sisy’s
chin up to the task. Mohammadseifi ducks under a spinning backfist
and dumps El Sisy to the mat just to prove he can do so. He beckons
El Sisy back to his feet, and they resume firing power punches at
one another. Mohammadseifi secures a takedown and powers into full
mount midway through the round. Situation going from bad to worse
for El Sisy. However, he initiates a scramble and gets back to his
feet, having dodged another bullet. Ninety seconds to go in our
final bout. Mohammadseifi bear hugs his opponent in the middle of
the cage, flirts with a takedown and releases him. He marches
forward and leans on head movement to steer clear of the El Sisy
jab. Clubbing left hook from Mohammadseifi. If nothing else, El
Sisy has shown he is a difficult nut to crack.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi (30-27
Mohammadseifi)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi (30-27
Mohammadseifi)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi (30-27
Mohammadseifi)
The Official Result
Mohsen Mohammadseifi def. Ahmed El Sisy—Unanimous Decision