Hussein Salem has found success throughout regional promotions, including one where he was a featherweight champion. A Samurai Team Academy product, Salem is a multiple-time champion in Muay Thai, with 12 finishes to his credit – eight coming in the first round. Salem last fought in February, making quick work of Walter Cogliandro.
Assem Ghanem, like his opponent, has also been a regional featherweight king. Ghanem is 6-0, scoring two KO/TKOs and two submissions thus far in his young career. The Cairo native last fought one year ago, finishing Huseyin Bastanov.
Which of these two men, who have found regional success, will impress on the big stage and move on to the semifinals of the PFL MENA Featherweight Tournament?
Round 1
Low kick from Ghanem as Salem misses an overhand. Low kick from Salem. Low kick from Ghanem. Ghanem misses a right as he presses forward for a takedown attempt. Low kick from Salem. Big swing from Salem. Ghanem continues to press forward, and he gets a body lock on Salem against the fence. Salem fighting back with 50-50 positioning as they jockey for position against the fence. Ghanem with a level change and he scores the takedown. Salem, however, threatens a choke. Salem looking to tighten the choke, but it’s hard to do that with them next to the fence. Ghanem fighting the hands. Ghanem trying to defend and bust his head out. Salem refusing to let up on the guillotine.
Ghanem frees his head and he postures up. He gets a little ground-and-pound before Salem brings up his guard. Salem warned a number of times in a short span for putting his toes into the fence. Ghanem with a few left hands. Salem with his toes in the cage again, and the referee gives a harsh warning. Ghanem separates, and Salem throws a couple of upkicks. Hard right hand from up top by Ghanem! Ghanem with some short elbows and more left hands. Salem with his toes in the cage again, and the ref, while not stopping the fight, will deduct one point from Salem for repeated infractions. Salem threatening an armbar but doesn’t get it, as Ghanem ends the round on top.
Round 2
The referee warns that another infraction will be another point deduction. Low kick from Salem. Salem with a quick combination. Ghanem slips and briefly loses balance on a kick attempt. Ghanem goes for a takedown but doesn’t get it. Ghanem with a combination. Salem working his combinations. Ghanem keeping pressure, throwing a big left. Salem swinging power shots. Ghanem shoots in and scores a takedown.
Salem looks for the armbar. Ghanem looks to take the back. Salem looks for a kneebar, but Ghanem counters with ground-and-pound. Big shots landing. Ghanem threatens the back again, getting hooks in. The choke appears to be in. It looks deep! Salem warned for fingers in the gloves now. Salem moves into side control and threatens a choke that way. Elbows from Ghanem. Salem looking for a submission from the bottom. Ghanem continuing to try and work from up top. Salem tries another armbar, but Ghanem easily shoves it off.
Round 3
Big right hand drops Salem with the first punch of the round! Some follow-up ground-and-pound, but Salem somehow survives! Ghanem now working in side control, landing more punches. Short forearm shot from Ghanem. Ghanem now moves into full guard. Elbow from Ghanem. Salem with an armbar attempt, but it does nothing. Salem lands an elbow and is warned for hitting to the back of the head. Ghanem landing a couple of shots to the head. Right hands from Ghanem up top. Salem looking for an arm-triangle from his back, but it’s ineffective.
Ghanem continues to do work. Salem tries to create space using his legs, but Ghanem continues to answer all of his defensive efforts. Referee warns for progress with just over a minute left. Ghanem landing short strikes from in close. Salem creating space. Upkick from Salem. Salem looking for a heel hook, but Ghanem has a hold of his legs. Ghanem with a right hand as Salem continues to go for the leg. Salem seems to have the hold, but Ghanem spins and gets out of trouble – and into mount. Some heavy ground-and-pound from Ghanem in the closing seconds. He won’t get it, but it’s still a dominant victory nevertheless!
OFFICIAL RESULT
Assem Ghanem defeats Hussein Salem by unanimous decision (30-25x2, 30-26) in a PFL MENA Featherweight Tournament fight, advancing to the Semifinals, where he’ll face the winner of Izzeddine Al Derbani vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (which will now take place on July 4).
Ghanem moves his undefeated career record to 7-0
Ghanem fights out of Cairo, Egypt and is 23 years old
Ghanem is an Egypt Kickboxing National Champion
