Imagine stepping into a fight where the world is watching, your country is counting on you, and your opponent is just as hungry for victory as you are. The pressure is real, the stakes are high, and one punch could change everything. This is exactly what Abdullah Al Qahtani felt when he entered the cage for the PFL MENA Featherweight Championship. And guess what? He didn’t just fight—he made history.

 

On November 29, 2024, Abdullah Al Qahtani became the first Saudi Arabian fighter to win an MMA championship belt. His victory was not only a personal milestone, rather it was a milestone for Saudi Arabia. Saudi fans across the country celebrated the milestone and were proud to see one of their own at the top of the MMA league.

 

A Fight to Remember

Abdullah Al Qahtani’s journey to the championship wasn’t easy. He had to face Marouane Bellagouit, a skilled opponent, in the cage . The energy in the arena was high. Within the first round, Al Qahtani delivered a powerful TKO (technical knockout), securing his place in history. With this win, he not only took home the championship belt but also bagged a $100,000 prize.

 

His professional record now stands at 10 wins and 2 losses. But what makes his victory even more special is how he got here. Just a year ago, in 2023, Abdullah Al Qahtani became the first Saudi fighter to win in the PFL SmartCage in the United States. That win was just a glimpse of what he was capable of. And now, he’s a champion!

 

What This Means for Saudi Arabia

MMA has been growing in popularity across Saudi Arabia, but until now, no fighter from the country had ever won a championship belt. The win by Abdullah Al Qahtani proves that Saudi athletes are also capable of competing at the highest levels.

 

Young boxers who aspire to compete in the cage someday can find inspiration from his win. He proves that everything is achievable with determination, dedication, and faith. Many young Saudis now regard him as a role model—a fighter who never gave up and made Saudi Arabia famous in the world of mixed martial arts.

 

What’s Next for Abdullah Al Qahtani?

Winning the championship is a huge achievement, but for Abdullah Al Qahtani, this is just the beginning. Fans are now eager for the most anticipated rematch between Abdullah Al Qahtani and Abdelrahman Al-Hyasat to see how Al Qahtani can avenge his only PFL MENA loss and what new challenges he takes on.

 

With MMA growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia, we might see more fighters follow in his footsteps. Maybe in a few years, Saudi Arabia will be known as a powerhouse in the MMA league.

 

For now, we celebrate this historic win and look forward to seeing Abdullah Al Qahtani continue to shine. This is just the start of something big.