A grappler and jiu-jitsu practitioner at his base, Ali Taleb went 5-3 as an amateur before turning pro in 2019. Taleb racked up victories, as well as a regional championship, before joining PFL in 2022 with a showcase win over Darius Mafi. Taleb competed in PFL Europe in 2023, finishing Kenji Bortoluzzi before a loss to Khurshed Kakhorov. Now, in PFL MENA, he has scored wins over Nawras Abzakh and Jalal Al Daja to make it to tonight’s title fight.

 

Rachid El Hazoume is a grappling and kickboxing champion whose professional MMA career began back in 2011. A short-notice loss to Frans Mlambo in PFL Europe last year is El Hazoume’s lone blemish in his last eight fights. El Hazoume defeated Xavier Alaoui and Elias Boudegzdame to reach tonight’s championship bout.

 

Time to find out who will become the first-ever PFL MENA Bantamweight Champion!

 

 

Round 1

 

Taleb moving and fainting very early on. El Hazoume with a low kick. Another one-two from El Hazoume. Low kick from El Hazoume. Low kick from El Hazoume misses. Strong left hook from Taleb. Low kick from El Hazoume. One-two from Taleb, and it’s an uppercut that stuns El Hazoume. A flurry and a strong right hand that DROPS EL HAZOUME!

 

 

Ali Taleb wins the PFL MENA Bantamweight Title in grand style!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

Ali Taleb defeats Rachid El Hazoume by 1st round KO (1:25) in the PFL MENA Bantamweight Championship to become the 2024 PFL MENA Bantamweight Champion.

Taleb moves his career record to 12-1

Taleb trains in Malmo, Sweden and represents Iraq

Taleb is a former UAE Warriors BW Champ