Get ready for an electrifying start to the 2026 PFL MENA season, set to ignite the MMA world on May 8 in the vibrant city of Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The Dhahran Expo will play host to this highly anticipated event, showcasing the crème de la crème of Middle Eastern and North African mixed martial arts talent across the Featherweight, Lightweight, and Welterweight divisions.
Mark your calendars and secure your tickets, available from today, February 12, at 6 PM AST. The third season promises to be a thrilling spectacle, featuring not only the region’s best fighters but also a lineup of rising stars set to make their mark on the global stage.
Leading the charge is the reigning 2025 PFL MENA Lightweight Champion, Salah Eddine Hamli, who will make his much-awaited return to the cage. Hamli’s impressive championship pedigree and growing fanbase make him a cornerstone of PFL MENA’s continued growth. His return sets the tone for what is expected to be the league’s most competitive season yet.
Adding to the excitement, Ahmed Albrahim, a native of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, will make his professional debut in a featured welterweight bout. Albrahim’s debut in front of his hometown crowd is a testament to PFL MENA’s commitment to nurturing local talent and providing them with a platform to shine internationally.
Bahrain MMA legend Hamza Kooheji will also enter the 2026 PFL MENA Featherweight Tournament, making his promotional debut on the May 8 card. Kooheji’s inclusion is set to draw strong support from neighboring Bahrain, reinforcing Khobar as a strategic host city capable of uniting fans from across the Gulf.
Jerome Mazet, General Manager of PFL MENA, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season: “We are dedicated to building PFL MENA where the passion for MMA is strongest. Our desire is to be where the fans are, and that’s exactly why we selected Khobar to kick off PFL MENA’s third season. With Salah’s return, Ahmed making his professional debut in front of his home crowd, and the opportunity to welcome Bahraini fans supporting Hamza Kooheji, this event represents everything PFL MENA stands for: regional pride, elite competition, and unforgettable moments.”
With three divisions in tournament competition and a lineup featuring champions, hometown debuts, and regional icons, the 2026 PFL MENA season is poised to elevate Middle Eastern MMA to even greater heights. Stay tuned for more fight announcements and event details in the coming weeks.
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