A highly-touted Middle Eastern prospect is set to finally make his Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut later this year.
After being forced to pull out from his scheduled appearance on the 2023 PFL Challenger Series back in January. Saudi Arabia’s Mostafa Rashed-Neda will be entering the SmartCage for the first time in his career to take on American Korey Kuppe in a featured middleweight bout in the preliminary card of PFL 9 this August 23rd at The Theatre in Madison Square Garden, New York City.
Prior to signing with the PFL, Rashed-Neda put together a solid resume in Middle Eastern regional promotions. He competed for BRAVE Combat Federation, UAE Warriors, and even winning a championship with Desert Force MMA.
The 35-year old has the opportunity to become just the second fighter to represent Saudi Arabia inside the PFL SmartCage. He is following in the footsteps of another top prospect in Abdullah Al-Qahtani, who will also be competing on the same card. Al-Qahtani was successful in his PFL debut, winning by submission in just the opening round.
Rashed-Neda is the latest in a handful of Middle Eastern MMA fighters to come over and showcase their skills in front of a global audience in the PFL. The most notable of those fighters is none other than Jordan’s Jarrah Al-Silawi, who used a successful stint on the PFL Challenger Series to earn himself a spot in the million-dollar roster.
Competing amongst the best welterweights in the world, Al-Silawi showed that Middle Eastern talents indeed have a place on an international stage. Now, the onus is on the next wave of fighters like Rashed-Neda and Al-Qahtani to continue paving the way and breaking down the door for even more aspiring Middle Eastern talent to jump to the PFL.
Without a doubt, PFL 9 will be a must-watch for MMA fans in the Middle Eastern region. With two of their brightest stars having the opportunity to put Middle Eastern MMA on the map.
Also Read | After Historic PFL Win, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani Has Championship Aspirations
PFL 9 will also feature highly-anticipated PFL Playoffs bouts in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions.
In the lightweight bracket, top-seeded Clay Collard will meet fourth-seeded Shane Burgos. Meanwhile, second-seeded Olivier Aubin-Mercier meets third-seeded Bruno Miranda.
In the Welterweight bracket, top-seeded Magomed Magomedkerimove meets fourth-seeded Magomed Umalatov. Second-seeded Carlos Leal meets third-seeded Sadibou Sy.
PFL 9 will also feature the return of amateur sensation Biaggio Ali Walsh.
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