Salah Eddine Hamli found amateur success in both MMA and boxing, with a 4-1 amateur MMA record and multiple amateur boxing titles in Spain. Now, he’s 8-0 as a pro MMA fighter with five victories, making his first appearance both in the MENA region and with the PFL. Hamil last fought in November, winning a decision over Gabriel Pasqualotti.

 

Abbas Khan has also been a successful amateur boxer, becoming a two-time champion in his native Bahrain. Khan is 8-3 in MMA so far, including four victories coming via a finish. Khan, who lost to Georges Eid last July, last fought in December, edging out Seth Rosario in a split decision.

 

Which of these two men will clinch a Semifinal spot in the PFL MENA Lightweight Tournament?

 

 

Round 1

 

Exchange of calf kicks early to start. Left hand from Hamli. Low kick from Khan. Round kick from Hamli. One-two lands for Khan. Khan misses a right. Straight left from Hamli. Round kick from Hamli, but it’s blocked. Khan moving around, trying to throw off Hamli’s timing. Left hand from Hamli. Low kick from Khan. Front kick from Khan. A kick from Khan is caught, and Hamli presses him to the fence and looks to take the back. Hamli battling against the fence, but he manages to sink the hooks in just over two minutes into the round. Some punches to the head, and then Hamli locks in a rear-naked choke. He can’t finish it.

 

Hamli adjusts and then goes for it again. Hamli continues to punch. He might have it this time. Khan’s face appears to be turning blue. Khan survives it, and he gets on top. About 100 seconds left in the round. The fight returns to the feet, and Khan’s got Hamli’s back as they’re up against the fence again. Hamli turns Khan around, and now Khan’s back is to the SmartCage. Hamli looking for the takedown. He gets it briefly, but Khan springs back to his feet. Khan escapes Hamli’s grasp. Low kick from Khan. One-two and Hamli is dropped! Khan grabbing a hold of Hamli, looking for the neck, but not enough time to get something going.

 

 

Round 2

 

Khan looking to get back on the offense, throwing his hands to pick up where he left off. Khan takes the back as the action goes to the fence. The two jockeying for position in the body lock. Knee to the body from Khan. Hamli now pressing Khan into the fence. Khan reverses the position. Khan appears to be searching for a takedown attempt. Khan looks for an elbow, but Hamli turns it around one more time before a separation. Exchanging, and Khan is catching him with a couple of solid shots. Another clinch battle, and Hamli is able to get Khan grounded.

 

Khan trying to get up, but Hamli is all over him. Hamli looking for the choke again. Hamli landing some shots to the head. Khan tries to get to his feet, but Hamli returns him to the ground. Hamli turns a Khan attempt around again, getting into North-South. Now back into side control. Hamli landing a few more strikes to the head. Khan defends and gets Hamli back into the guard. Hamli postures up, and he’s back into North-South. Khan has a leg, but Hamli landing a series of shots to the body. Hamli with an elbow. Hamli now looking for a D’Arce. He loses the grip, but he turns around and looks for the rear-naked. He doesn’t get it but ends the round pinning Khan against the fence and throwing punches.

 

 

Round 3

 

The two circling to start. Khan throwing some quick strikes. Right hand from Khan. Low kick from Khan. A kick from Hamli before he presses Khan into the fence. Hamli has a hold of the back, throwing some punches. Khan trying to stand, but Hamli is making things difficult. Hamli gets a body triangle in. Hamli continues to rain down blows and pressure on Khan. Another rear-naked choke attempt. And there’s the tap!

 

Salah Eddine Hamli overwhelms, and now he’s got a date with Souhil Tairi in the next round!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Salah Eddine Hamli defeats Abbas Khan by 3rd round submission (rear-naked choke, 2:05) in a PFL MENA Lightweight Tournament fight, advancing to the semifinals, where he’ll face Souhil Tairi.

 

Hamli moves his undefeated career record to 9-0 with his 4th submission

 

6 of his 9 wins are by finish

 

Hamli was a multi-time amateur boxing champion in Spain