Professional Fighters League Finals In Riyadh Crown Champions With $6 Million Prize Pool

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) finals wrapped up in Riyadh, marking a significant event as Saudi Arabia hosted it for the first time. Organised by the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation alongside the PFL Global League and overseen by the Ministry of Sports, the competition took place at King Saud University’s arena. Deputy Minister of Sport Bader Al-Kadi was present, along with a notable local and international audience.

The event featured six main fights across various weight divisions, each champion receiving $1 million from a total prize pool of $6 million. Notably, there was significant Saudi participation in the finals of the inaugural season of the PFL Middle East and North Africa League. This global mixed martial arts event drew considerable media attention.

Featherweight fighter Abdullah Al-Qahtani delivered an impressive performance by defeating Moroccan opponent Marouan Belguet with a decisive strike in the first round to secure his title. Al-Qahtani expressed pride in being the first Saudi champion in the PFL Middle East and North Africa League. He stated: "I am grateful to the Saudi fans who supported me during the competition and to everyone who contributed to my success."

In another highlight, Hattan Al-Saif continued her successful run in the atomweight division. She defeated Algeria’s Lilia Osmani with a technical knockout in the second round. Al-Saif expressed her joy at winning before a home crowd and thanked them for their unwavering support throughout her fight.

Al-Qahtani hopes his victory will inspire other Saudi athletes to pursue mixed martial arts and achieve international success for their nation. He added: "I hope this is just the beginning of more victories that inspire other Saudi champions to pursue mixed martial arts and achieve international accomplishments in the name of our nation."

Al-Saif extended her gratitude to several organisations for their role in organising such an outstanding international event. She acknowledged the Ministry of Sports, the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation, and the PFL Global League for their efforts.

The finals not only highlighted individual achievements but also showcased Saudi Arabia's growing presence in global mixed martial arts. The event's success reflects positively on future opportunities for local fighters on international platforms.

With inputs from SPA