PFL MENA цувралын аварга Омар Эл-Дафрауи ирэх арваннэгдүгээр сарын 14-нд Дубайд болох тэмцээний хүрээнд Бельгийн тулаанч Патрик Хабироратай хүч үзэхээр боллоо.
PFL MENA бүсийн тэмцээн нь олон улсын түвшинд гарах шинэ оддыг төрүүлэн гаргах чухал талбар болсоор байна. 2024 онд PFL MENA-гийн аварга болсон Египетийн тулаанч Омар Эл-Дафрауи нь өдгөө дэлхийн чансааны тавдугаарт бичигдэж байгаа бөгөөд энэхүү тулаан нь түүний карьер дахь хамгийн том сорилт болох юм. Тэрээр энэ онд UFC-ийн аварга асан Бенсон Хендерсоныг ердөө 20 секундийн дотор хүнд цохилтоор буулган авсан Патрик Хабироратай тулалдах гэж байна.
PFL MENA-гийн удирдлагууд Омар Эл-Дафрауиг хүчтэй, бие бялдрын хувьд давуу талтай тулаанч хэмээн үнэлж, түүнийг ялсан тохиолдолд бүсийн төлөөх тулаанд гарах боломж нээгдэнэ гэж үзэж байна. Энэхүү тулаан нь тулаанчдын хувьд PFL-ийн дэлхийн хэмжээний тэмцээнд өрсөлдөх том боломж төдийгүй, Омар Эл-Дафрауигийн хувьд MENA бүсийн шилдэг тулаанч гэдгээ батлах чухал алхам болох юм.
Бүсийн аваргууд ийнхүү олон улсын тавцанд гарч ирж буй нь Дакота Дичевагийн адил амжилттай замнал үргэлжилж байгааг харуулж байна. PFL MENA-гийн зүгээс Омар Эл-Дафрауиг дэмжиж буйгаа илэрхийлсэн бөгөөд түүнийг ялалт байгуулбал бүсийн төлөөх тулаанд өрсөлдөхүйц түвшинд хүрнэ хэмээн онцоллоо.
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Amid a changing tide in the global PFL structure, PFL MENA continues to develop stars in the vital Middle East region.
Back in Donn Davis and Peter Murray’s time running the show, they hatched a plan to launch regional leagues around the world to support what was originally a world title tournament. Under John Martin that plan ultimately changed, but there are still lingering success stories from that era.
Dakota Ditcheva built a winning streak from her days in the European tournament that led to her becoming one of the most recognisable names in Women’s MMA. Omar El-Dafrawy won PFL MENA gold in 2024, and now has the chance in Dubai to score the biggest win of his life against Patrick Habirora.
PFL MENA bosses excited for Omar El-Dafrawy’s big chance in Dubai
One of the big success stories that has continued through multiple ownership structures over in America is the PFL MENA tournament. On Friday night, Boulevard City in Riyadh hosts their 2026 semi-finals, including the welterweight division where Omar El-Dafrawy has found success.
Two years on from his victory in Riyadh, the Egyptian has landed a massive showdown with Belgian Patrick Habirora in Dubai on November 14. The 25-year-old exploded on to the scene earlier this year when he knocked out the legendary former UFC champion Benson Henderson in his native Brussels.
PFL MENA boss Jerome Mazet said of the matchup: “I think it’s about time that Patrick Habirora gets properly tested and I’m looking forward to this because Omar always brings the heat. He likes to box, stay on the feet and he is very physical and strong.
“I’m glad to see that he has this fight. It’s a great opportunity for both fighters and obviously I’m in Omar’s corner because I feel like we developed this fighter and we are very proud of his journey and what he represents for the Arab fighters and the Arab world.
“He is now fifth in the PFL world rankings and if he beats Patrick Habirora he establishes himself clearly as the number one pound-for-pound in the MENA region across any promotion anywhere. Name me another one? He is the number one Arab fighter in the world!
“John Martin used to say that if Patrick wins this fight he is going for the belt. I think it’s the same for Omar. It could be another one of those stories like Dakota Ditcheva who dominated Europe and then came and won the PFL Global tournament. Can Omar be the next one to do so?”
Matchmaker Gustavo Firmino is also fully behind their fighter, adding: “I’m 1,000 per cent cheering for Omar in this case. I’m part of the organization but at the end of the day I’m PFL MENA so I don’t hide that even though I respect all of the fighters.
“I’m not involved in the matchmaking for PFL Global so whatever happens there is down to Mike Kogan, James Steers and Eduardo Cunha Lima. When a PFL MENA fighter goes global, we are all cheering for them to represent. It’s sort of an internal thing where we cheer for our guys, I’m not afraid to share that!
“Omar became champion of PFL MENA and has had four fights, three wins with one loss and now he has reached this level. It’s a very tough fight, I’m sure that everybody would agree with that.
“Patrick is on a run, knocking out everyone but this is an example of where you can reach if you become a regional champion. The Arab fans will be cheering for Omar so he’s sort of fighting at home in a way and a win over Patrick puts him around the top of the rankings and aiming for a title fight.
