PFL semi-finalists ready for decisive bouts in RiyadhRIYADH, 1st October (WAM) – Fighters competing in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) semi-finals have confirmed their readiness for the highly anticipated bouts set to take place tomorrow, 2nd October, at Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The fighters expressed their readiness during a press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins held on Thursday, amid an atmosphere of excitement ahead of the decisive contests that will determine who advances to the finals.
The press conference featured Saudi Arabia’s Mostafa Nada and Egypt’s Osama El-Saeidy, who will meet in the main event, alongside Jordan’s Hazem Kayali and Morocco’s Badreddine Diani, who will contest the co-main event.
Also in attendance were Saudi Arabia’s Fatima Al-Omari and her Algerian opponent Aya Lounis, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Rida Al-Nimr and Bahrain’s Ahmed Al-Shuwaikh, as well as Jerome Mazet, General Manager of the Professional Fighters League.
Mazet expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming contests, saying that reaching the semi-finals represents one of the most important stages of the season as each fighter seeks victory and a place in the final.
“We have reached a decisive stage of the season, and the fighters are now just one victory away from reaching the final and competing for the title. We expect strong contests that reflect the high level demonstrated by the participants throughout the tournament,” Mazet said.
He also praised Saudi Arabia’s continued support for the PFL, highlighting its importance in strengthening the presence of mixed martial arts in the region and providing a professional platform for Arab talent.
“We extend our thanks to Saudi Arabia for its continued support of the league. The Arab region is rich in talent, and fighters from various countries have demonstrated their abilities and competitive levels. We aim to continue providing a platform that gives them the opportunity to showcase their potential and develop professionally,” he added.
Following the press conference, the ceremonial weigh-ins were held for fighters competing in the semi-final bouts, with the face-offs producing a highly competitive atmosphere in their final appearance before entering the cage on Friday.
Saudi Arabia’s Mostafa Nada said he was ready to face Egypt’s Osama El-Saeidy in the main event, noting that the contest carries special significance after the pair waited nearly 10 years to meet and settle the question of who is the better fighter.
“This fight has a story stretching back around 10 years. Throughout that period, there has always been discussion about who is better between us. Now we have the opportunity to settle it inside the cage. I respect Osama and what he has achieved, but I am confident in my abilities. I will enter the fight to prove myself and provide the answer inside the cage,” Nada said.
El-Saeidy said the years of anticipation had added further significance to the contest, expressing his determination to settle their long-running sporting rivalry in the cage.
“We have waited many years for this fight, and now the time has come for us to meet face-to-face inside the cage. Mostafa is a fighter I respect and whose abilities I know well, but the discussion about who is better has continued for a long time. I believe the fight is the right place to settle this challenge,” he said.
In another semi-final, Jordan’s Hazem Kayali highlighted the importance of his bout against Morocco’s Badreddine Diani, with both fighters seeking to secure a place in the final.
“This is one of the most important fights of my career because victory means advancing to the final. Badreddine is a strong fighter who deserves to have reached this stage, and I have also worked hard for this opportunity. I will enter the fight fully focused, with the aim of producing my best performance and securing qualification,” Kayali said.
Diani, meanwhile, said reaching the semi-finals represented an important milestone but stressed that his ambitions extend beyond this stage.
“Reaching the semi-finals is important, but my goal is to continue the journey. I know Hazem’s abilities and respect him as an opponent. I expect a strong fight, but I have confidence in my preparations and in my ability to win and advance to the final,” he said.
In the showcase bouts, Saudi Arabia’s Fatima Al-Omari expressed her delight at competing against Aya Lounis on home soil, saying the contest provides an opportunity to demonstrate the progress being made in women’s mixed martial arts in Saudi Arabia.
“Every opportunity to fight in front of the Saudi fans carries special significance for me. I want to use this contest to demonstrate the progress I have made and deliver a performance that reflects the work we are doing and the growing ambitions of Saudi female fighters in this sport,” Al-Omari said.
Lounis said she was looking forward to producing a strong performance against Al-Omari.
“I am happy to have this experience and compete in Riyadh. I know Fatima will enter the fight highly motivated in front of her home crowd, which makes the contest even more exciting for me. I have prepared well and look forward to an entertaining fight and showing my best,” she said.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Rida Al-Nimr also said his showcase bout against Bahrain’s Ahmed Al-Shuwaikh represents another opportunity to test his abilities and demonstrate his skills in front of the Saudi crowd.
“I approach every fight with complete seriousness. For me, this is an opportunity to show the level I have reached and demonstrate my skills in front of the fans. Ahmed is a good opponent, and I look forward to a strong fight through which we can present a positive image of Arab fighters,” Al-Nimr said.
Al-Shuwaikh also expressed his anticipation for the contest, stressing that its showcase nature would not diminish his determination to deliver his best possible performance.
“Being part of this event is an important opportunity to deliver a fight worthy of the fans. I respect Al-Rida as a fighter and expect the contest to be strong and entertaining. My goal is to demonstrate my abilities, benefit from the experience and produce a performance that reflects my readiness,” he said.
Attention will turn to Boulevard City in Riyadh on Friday, 2nd October, as the PFL semi-finals take place with a strong Arab presence and a series of anticipated contests set to determine the fighters who advance to the finals and continue their pursuit of the championship titles.
