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RIYADH: The Arena played host to an action-packed “Champions Collide” fight night on Sept. 27, where Saudi fighter Hattan Alsaif announced she will turn professional after a flawless 4-0 amateur career. 

The night also saw dramatic the Professional Fighters League in the Middle East and North Africa (PFL MENA) semifinal clashes, highlight finishes, and the 2025 finals picture take shape.

The main event featured Mohammad Alaqraa (9-1) facing Ayman Galal (4-2) in a welterweight semifinal. The fight ended in spectacular fashion after just 21 seconds when Alaqraa landed a crushing leg kick that stopped Galal.

Alaqraa told Arab News that he carefully studies his opponents. “I knew he’s gonna think I’m gonna grapple and shoot in the beginning,” he said. 

“As a fighter, we try our best to prepare for the fight. We do our best to see how the fight could go, but by the end of the day, it’s all about God and he plans it.” 

Alaqraa advanced to the Welterweight final, where he will meet Badreddine Diani.

Diani, who faced a judging controversy earlier in the night, was initially announced as the loser against Amir Fazli, but the result was corrected to confirm his split-decision victory. Diani will now challenge Alaqraa for the welterweight crown.

In the Lightweight semifinals, Salah Eddine Hamli submitted Souhil Tairi in the third round via arm-triangle choke. Hamli will face the undefeated Mohammad Fahmi (6-0), who opened the night by submduing Mohsen Mohammadseifi in the first round.

The Featherweight bracket also shaped up as Islam Reda dominated Taha Bendaoud via unanimous decision. Reda will face Yanis Ghemmouri, who earned his semifinal victory over Izzeddine Al Derbani by unanimous decision.

In Bantamweight action, Islam Youssef defeated veteran Xavier Alaoui by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) to advance to the final against Nawras Abzakh, who beat Moktar Benkaci via unanimous decision.

Saudi rising star Malik Basahel remained unbeaten, crushing Ahmed Mostafa with a second-round rear-naked choke. Meanwhile, Hassan Ahmed Moustafa edged Abdulaziz Bin Moammar in a split-decision amateur showcase.

Adding to the evening’s excitement, Hattan Alsaif announced she will make her professional debut on Dec. 5 after a perfect 4-0 amateur career.

Reflecting on her journey, Alsaif told Arab News: “This type of sports are new to us. It’s true for, but Saudi people are really strong, they have really strong hearts, and they are brave.” Her announcement marks a milestone moment for women’s MMA in the Kingdom.

The “Champions Collide” event highlighted Riyadh’s growing status as a premier global destination for combat sports. Fighters from across the region left it all inside the cage as they chased glory and a shot at the inaugural PFL MENA crowns.

LONDON: Arsenal will try to continue their strong defensive record on Sunday when they visit a Newcastle United side still struggling to score goals since the departure of Alexander Isak.
Arsenal (3-1-1, 10 points) have allowed just two scores so far in league play. And Manchester City’s Erling Haaland became the first and so far, only Premier League player to score against Arsenal from open play in the ninth minute of last weekend’s 1-1 draw.
Manager Mikel Arteta says the club’s stinginess is a credit not only to his rearguard, but to the approach of all 11 players on the field.
“We start from our frontline and the amount of pressure and work that they put into any defensive line, any goalkeeper, is tremendous,” Arteta said. “So, it’s something collective, it’s a team sport and in anything that we do, everybody has a pivotal role in that.”
Even so, the Gunners still find themselves five points back of Liverpool and already managing injuries to several key players.
However, Arteta said attacker Bukayo Saka should be fit for Sunday’s clash and that his removal following a heavy challenge in Wednesday’s 2-0 League Cup win vs. Port Vale was planned.
Newcastle (1-1-3, 6 points) have scored only three goals so far in the league amid the saga that eventually saw Isak move to Liverpool for a reported fee of $170 million.
The Magpies moved for Stuttgart’s 23-year-old Nick Woltemade as a replacement at the transfer deadline. He’s scored once so far in two league appearances after he had 12 goals in a breakthrough Bundesliga campaign.
That said, Newcastle have won their last three against Arsenal at St. James’ Park, including the second leg of last year’s Leagues Cup semifinal en route to the club’s first major honor in 70 years.
And they’ve been very competitive so far in two home matches against global footballing powers, a 3-2 league loss to Liverpool in the second game of the Premier League season, and a 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to FC Barcelona on Sept. 18.
“It has always been a competitive game against Arsenal, and there has been an edge to those games as both teams want to win,” said Magpies manager Eddie Howe. “The more competitive we are, the better we play. We need to bring that to the game on Sunday.”