Mohammad Alaqraa (above) headlines 2025 PFL MENA 3 opposite Ayman Galal. | 📷: PFL MMA
Failure did nothing to dissuade Mohammad Alaqraa. In fact, it may have only strengthened his drive to excel in the Professional Fighters League.
The once-beaten American Kickboxing Academy representative will move forward in his latest quest for a six-figure payday when his welterweight semifinal opposite Ayman Galal headlines 2025 PFL MENA 3 on Saturday at The Arena Riyadh in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Alaqraa, 25, was a finalist in 2024. He last suited up at 2025 PFL MENA 2, where he rebounded from his only career defeat with a unanimous decision over Omar Hussein in their three round semifinal two-plus months ago. Galal, meanwhile, cut his teeth in the Brave Combat Federation and UAE Warriors organizations. “The Maestro” backed into the semifinals, as his loss to Mohamed Zarey in July was changed to a no contest after his counterpart tested positive for banned substances. Three of Galal’s four pro wins have resulted in finishes. Badreddine Diani and Amir Fazli meet in the other welterweight semifinal.
In addition to the high-stakes Alaqraa-Galal battle at 170 pounds, here are three other reasons to catch 2025 PFL MENA 3:
A Familiar Ring to It
Mohsen Mohammadseifi has his sights on a repeat. The defending PFL MENA lightweight champion takes the next step in his hunt for a second straight title when he confronts the unbeaten Mohammad Fahmi in a 155-pound semifinal. Mohammadseifi, 36, enters the cage on the strength of eight consecutive victories—a run of success that now spans more than five years. The Iranian “Golden Boy” advanced in the draw when he outpointed Ahmed El Sisy to a three-round unanimous decision on May 9. On the other side of the equation, Fahmi has raced out to a 5-0 start to his career. The 30-year-old ONE Championship alum made his organizational debut at 2025 PFL MENA 1, where he tapped Georges Eid with a brabo choke a little more than three minutes into their quarterfinal pairing. It was Fahmi’s third first-round finish already. Salah Eddine Hamli and Souhil Tairi toe the line against one another in the other lightweight semifinal.
In the Driver’s Seat
Momentum has placed Islam Reda on the doorstep of a career-changing achievement. The 31-year-old Egyptian puts his seven-fight winning streak on the line when he tackles the undefeated Taha Bendaoud in one of two PFL featherweight semifinals. Reda last saw action on May 9, when he turned away Akram Nasri with third-round punches to progress in the tournament. The Saracens Team product has not lost a fight since he dropped a split verdict to Abdullah Al-Qahtani under the Brave Combat Federation banner in 2018. Bendaoud, meanwhile, steps up to the plate with a perfect 5-0 record in tow. He has nailed down three of those five wins by submission. Bendaoud booked his spot in the Final Four at 145 pounds when he disposed of Drissi Boualem with a triangle choke as part of the 2025 PFL MENA 1 show on May 9. Yanis Ghemmouri locks horns with Assem Ghanem in the other featherweight semifinal.
Pedal to the Metal
Xavier Alaoui could be approaching the now-or-never stage of his career. The 34-year-old Tristar Gym product aims to secure his shot at an elusive PFL MENA championship when he collides with Islam Youssef in one of two bantamweight semifinals. A two-time UAE Warriors champion, Alaoui trudges back into battle on the heels of back-to-back victories. He last competed at 2025 PFL MENA 2, where he laid claim to a unanimous decision over Ziad Ayman in their July quarterfinal. On the other side of the ledger, Youssef has strung together five wins in a row. He put forth a “Knockout of the Year” contender in his most recent outing, as he cut down Benyamin Ghahraman with a sensational flying head kick in the second round of their July 4 encounter. More than four years have passed since Youssef last experienced a setback. Moktar Benkaci and Nawras Abzakh square off in the other 135-pound semifinal.