Riyadh’s rising MMA star Abdullah Al Qahtani is preparing to extend his impressive four-fight win streak as he faces Jordan’s Abdalrahman Alhyasat for a spot in the PFL Mena 3 final.

The high-stakes fight, scheduled for September 20 at Boulevard City, Riyadh, is a crucial step toward Al Qahtani’s ultimate goal: becoming the PFL Mena flyweight champion.

At just 27 years old, Al Qahtani has quickly made a name for himself in the Professional Fighters’ League (PFL), remaining undefeated since his 2023 debut.

Now, with a career record of nine wins in 10 fights, he aims to add another victory to his resume and move one step closer to being crowned the first-ever PFL Mena flyweight champion.

“I’m determined to win the Mena title, but first, I need to focus on my upcoming fight against Abdulrahman,” Al Qahtani said in a Zoom interview with The National. “For me, every opponent is the same, and every contest is like any other. My goal is to win this fight and secure my place in the final.”

Al Qahtani’s journey to the semi-final has been nothing short of impressive. His most recent fight in May saw him dominate Jordan’s Yazeed Hasanain at PFL Mena 1, securing a TKO victory in the second round.

After a brief two-week break, Al Qahtani embarked on an intense training camp in Thailand before returning to Riyadh, where he now feels fully prepared for the upcoming bout.

The PFL Mena, which offers a platform for the region’s best fighters to showcase their talents, has quickly gained recognition.

The winner of the PFL Mena final will not only earn the title but also take home a $100,000 prize and gain promotion to the PFL Global League, where champions in each weight division are awarded $1 million.

“The intensity of the fights at this level is very high, and PFL has done a great job with the Mena league,” Al Qahtani said.

“At first, I didn’t think it would be this big, but now I see how it provides fighters from the region with an excellent opportunity to advance their careers. I believe I have a good chance to compete in the global event.”

Fighting in his hometown of Riyadh is another source of motivation for Al Qahtani, who is excited to compete in front of friends and family.

“I’m a professional fighter, so I’m always focused on what I do, even when there are no fans supporting me when I fight abroad,” he said. “But having fans, friends, and family by my side in Riyadh is always nice. I know they are with me in spirit and cheering me on.”

Al Qahtani credits his love for martial arts to his mother and uncle, who introduced him to the sport at a young age. Guided by his coach, he honed his skills in wrestling and Muaythai, two key disciplines in MMA.

As he prepares for the upcoming fight, Al Qahtani remains focused on his ultimate goal: becoming the best fighter in the world to emerge from Saudi Arabia.

“I’ve achieved a lot since turning professional, but I won’t stop until I’m the best fighter ever from the kingdom,” he said.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members