The upcoming
Professional Fighters League event features a few unbeaten MENA
fighters, including Hazem
Kayyali.
The 26-year-old Kayyali will co-headline
PFL MENA 11 against Badreddine
Diani in the semifinals of the 170-pound tournament.
Representing Team Kombat in Amman, Jordan, Kayyali earned his spot
after defeating Hassan
Shaaban via unanimous decision in July. His professional record
includes three victories and two draws, but Kayyali also brings
extensive cage experience from his amateur career. His previous
professional opponents have a combined record of 9-6-2, making
Diani (11-4, 4-1 PFL) the most experienced fighter Kayyali has
faced as a professional.
Kayyali is an unorthodox fighter who is comfortable in both the
striking and grappling phases of a fight, having already recorded a
submission and a technical knockout in his professional career. A
Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Kayyali keeps his guard low and
often employs a karate stance. He has an effective kicking game and
frequently uses oblique kicks. Kayyali also displays a varied
striking arsenal and creativity in his attacks. His lone TKO
victory was initiated by a suplex before he finished Sadok El
Kefi with ground-and-pound 72 seconds into the fight.
Under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation banner,
Kayyali went on to win a gold medal at the 2021 MMA World Cup after
submitting Eoin
Sheridan — who is also currently competing in the PFL and
scored a “Knockout of the Year” contender in his most recent
appearance — in the tournament final.
In his first and, so far, only PFL assignment, Kayyali showcased
his fighting style and offered a closer look at his skill set. In
the opening round, he kept the action on the feet and attacked
Shaaban with long-range kicks. In the second round, Kayyali took
the fight to the canvas. While the Jordanian couldn’t secure a
finish, he controlled the action after locking in a tight body
triangle. In the final frame, Kayyali was taken down with relative
ease but managed to neutralize his opponent’s offense until the
referee stood the fighters up. Kayyali spent much of the remainder
of the round grinding against the cage and looking for another
takedown, only to be reversed and finish the fight on his back. The
judges ultimately awarded Kayyali the unanimous decision with
scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 29-27, allowing him to advance in the
tournament.
A flyweight
title fight headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in on Saturday, Oct. 16 at
11 p.m. ET on ESPN.Read More
