PFL MENA finalist Abdullah Al-Qahtani is getting an immediate shot at redemption in Friday night’s championship event.
The Saudi Arabian star was defeated by Abdalrahman Alhyasat when the pair met in the semi-finals of the regional PFL tournament back in September. But he is getting a chance at a rematch after Islam Reda pulled out on the other side of the bracket with an injury.
Now, he has the opportunity to win the $100,000 prize and reignite his plans to enter the Global season next year. He insists that he will make major changes in the second chance at Alhyasat, and will use his winnings to buy his mother a massive gift.
Abdullah Al-Qatani details why PFL MENA Final will be different to semi-final
In their first fight, the undefeated Abdalrahman Alhyasat was able to administer an impressive game plan to take a decision win over Al-Qatani. This time around, however, they have five rounds to work, and the 9-2 star claims his rival is ‘not a fighter’, but just an athlete.
“The last time I had some problems before the fight,” he told Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat. “Something personal that I don’t want to share, there were some problems but I didn’t want to make any excuses.
“In the fight I had some problems as well but now everything is good, I’ve worked so hard and I am ready for the fight. After the first fight I still wanted the belt and knew if I kept working hard maybe someone would pull out.
“I was just a crazy man wanting to compete for the belt. And when they said to me that the other guy couldn’t make the fight, so it’s going to be for the belt and it’s going to be against Abdalrahman. And I am very happy about this and excited for this, I want this so much.”
Abdullah Al-Qatani will spend $100,000 PFL MENA prize on gift for his mother
A key question asked to all fighters in the PFL Championships is around how they are going to spend their winnings. Impa Kasanganay famously bought a gym, while others such as Brendan Loughnane have invested.
But Al-Qatani is going to go a different route, spending his $100,000 winnings on a new car for his mother. “When I win I am going to firstly buy my mum a good car,” he replied when asked how he will spend the winnings.
“Then I will see, maybe a small house or something like this. But the first thing I see is a car for my mother, then maybe an apartment. Before I was just focusing on lots of stuff but I want to provide for my family and now this is very good money. It’s going to be a big night for my family.”
Abdullah Al-Qatani plots attack on PFL Global Season in 2025
Should he get his redemption and win the Global Season in 2025, Al-Qahtani has already planned to return to America and compete for the world title. He won two showcase bouts last year, and loved the reaction from fans in Atlanta and New York where he competed.
“Of course after the MENA tournament I will need a little bit of time to go to the Global season,” he explained. “This is my goal, I want the belt and I want to go back to America and make the arena stand up and go crazy.
“The last time I was there was the best time of my life. I won the fight and everyone stood up and went nuts, it was amazing. Inshallah I will be world champion because I work so hard, okay I have some small problems, but I know myself I have a good mindset and a big heart and I will make it
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