Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh
PFL MENA 3 playoffs will take place in Riyadh on Sept. 20. (PFL)
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Updated 28 August 2024
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Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh
  • The Kingdom’s leading MMA fighter faces Abdelrahman Alhyasat in the Featherweight Semifinal Main Event
  • Jarrah Al-Selawe meets Omar El-Dafrawy in the welterweight semifinal co-main event

RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League has announced the semifinal matchups set to take place at PFL MENA 3, which is being held at Boulevard City on Sept 20.

Fighters in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions will compete for a spot in the PFL MENA Finals and will look to move one win away from becoming among the inaugural PFL MENA champions.

In the main event, Saudi Arabia’s own Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-1) takes on Jordan’s Abdelrahman Alhyasat (4-0) in the featherweight semifinals. Meanwhile, the co-main event will feature PFL veteran and former two-division champion Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-6) of Jordan taking on Egypt’s Omar El Dafrawy (11-6) in a welterweight semifinal bout.

PFL MENA 3 will air live in primetime on MBC Action, with the free-to-air broadcasts accessible to fans across the region. In addition to PFL MENA, MBC Action will air the PFL Global Season, PFL Europe, Bellator Champions Series and PFL’s Pay-Per-View Superfight Division events.

Other semifinals matchup will feature Algeria’s Souhil Tairi (7-4-1) taking on Mohsen Mohammadseifi (5-1) of Iran in the lightweight division, while Iraq’s Ali Taleb (10-1) meets Jordan’s Jalal Al Daaja (11-8) in the bantamweight division.

Jerome Mazet, general manager of PFL MENA, said: “We’re very excited to be heading into the playoffs of the inaugural PFL MENA season. Fighters in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions are competing for a spot in the finals and are looking to become the first PFL MENA champions. We’re building stars here, and we can’t wait to see who makes it to the finale.”

The complete PFL MENA 2 fight card is as follows:

Featherweight semifinal bout:

Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-1) vs. Abdelrahman Alhyasat (4-0)

Welterweight semifinal bout:

Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-6) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (11-6)

Welterweight semifinal bout:

Mohammad Alaqraa (6-0) vs. Badreddine Diani (8-3)

Lightweight semifinal bout:

Souhil Tairi (7-4-1) vs. Mohsen Mohammadseifi (5-1)

Bantamweight semifinal bout:

Ali Taleb (10-1) vs. Jalal Al Daaja (11-8)

Featherweight semifinal bout:

Islam Reda (11-1) vs. Marouaune Bellagouit (5-0)

Bantamweight semifinal bout:

Elias Boudegzdame (19-8) vs. Rachid El Hazoume (14-3)

Lightweight semifinal bout:

Georges Eid (9-4, 1NC) vs. Omar Reguigui (4-0, 1NC)

  • Georges Eid will face Omar Reguigui, replacing Abdullah Saleem who didn’t pass the in-competition drug test.

Alternate featherweight showcase bout:

Adam Meskini (8-3) vs. Yazeed Hasanain (3-1)


Baniyas leads table as Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicks off

Baniyas leads table as Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicks off
Updated 18 January 2025
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Baniyas leads table as Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicks off

Baniyas leads table as Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicks off
  • Day one of the the competition’s first round also saw MOD UAE in second and Al-Ain in third

ABU DHABI: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club took the lead on the opening day of the first round of the second Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.

MOD UAE followed in second place, with Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club securing third.

The day featured competitions in the adult, masters and youth (under 18) categories, drawing hundreds of athletes from clubs and academies across the country.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a significant milestone in the federation’s efforts to promote the sport locally, across the continent, and internationally. It reflects our commitment to achieving excellence in all we do. This championship highlights the continued support of our wise leadership for jiu-jitsu, a sport that instils discipline, courage and self-confidence in our younger generations. This first round marks the beginning of a promising journey, filled with aspirations to reach new heights of achievement.”

He added: “The championship aligns with the federation’s strategy to develop jiu-jitsu and strengthen its role in fostering a healthy, cohesive society. Our goal is to establish a sustainable sporting legacy for future generations by organizing events that meet international standards.”

The tournament’s ranking system ensures equality among all players, awarding points for outstanding performances while also considering factors such as strategy, techniques and skills.

Jefferson Cordero, coach at MOD Academy, said: “Our team, consisting of around 145 athletes, is proud to participate in this prestigious tournament, which features a high level of competition. It provides our team with an excellent opportunity to test the players’ capabilities. We are delighted with our team’s performance and success in securing outstanding results, adding more medals to the club’s tally, and earning points that bring us closer to winning the tournament prize.”

Tareq Al-Zaabi, an MOD Academy athlete who won the gold medal in the masters category (brown/black belt) under 62 kg, said: “It is an honor to win the gold medal in this tournament, which carries a name so dear to us. I am determined to maintain this level of performance and achieve even more in future competitions. Over the past period, I have been focused on training hard to secure this victory and contribute to our academy’s success in earning the highest points as we strive for the title. I wish my teammates all the best.”


Sinclair, Warrican spin Pakistan to 230 all out in first Test against West Indies

Sinclair, Warrican spin Pakistan to 230 all out in first Test against West Indies
Updated 18 January 2025
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Sinclair, Warrican spin Pakistan to 230 all out in first Test against West Indies

Sinclair, Warrican spin Pakistan to 230 all out in first Test against West Indies
  • Warrican finished with 3-69 and Sinclair 2-61 as Pakistan lost six wickets for just 87 runs
  • The hosts resumed the day on 143-4, following 30-minute delay because of poor visibility

MULTAN: Spinners Jomel Warrican and Kevin Sinclair led a West Indies charge with five wickets between them to dismiss Pakistan for 230 on the second day of the first Test in Multan.
Warrican finished with 3-69 and Sinclair 2-61 as Pakistan lost six wickets for just 87 runs after resuming the day on 143-4, following another 30-minute delay because of poor visibility.
Saud Shakeel (84) and Mohammad Rizwan (71) top-scored for the hosts.
Sinclair sparked the batting collapse with Shakeel’s wicket off the first ball after drinks as Pakistan lost four wickets off 28 balls for just 13 runs.
Last to go was Sajid Khan, who hit a boundary and a six in his rapid 18 before Warrican bowled him on the stroke of lunch.
Fast bowler Jayden Seales finished with 3-27, all his wickets coming on Friday.
Overnight batsmen Shakeel and Rizwan cautiously looked to build a competitive total, taking the score to 187 before the wickets began to tumble.
Sinclair drew Shakeel forward on a spinning delivery and the ensuing edge was well taken by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach.
Shakeel’s 84 off 157 deliveries had six boundaries.
He added an invaluable 141 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan, lifting Pakistan from a precarious 46-4 on day one.
From the other end left-armer Warrican bowled Salman Agha off an inside edge for two while Noman Ali was run out without scoring.
Sinclair then trapped Rizwan leg-before off a missed reverse sweep, turning the not-out decision in his favor after a West Indies review.
Rizwan’s 133-ball stay had nine boundaries.


‘Lucky loser’ Lys makes history to reach Australian Open last 16

‘Lucky loser’ Lys makes history to reach Australian Open last 16
Updated 18 January 2025
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‘Lucky loser’ Lys makes history to reach Australian Open last 16

‘Lucky loser’ Lys makes history to reach Australian Open last 16
  • Eva Lys called it “an insane story” and life-changing after the German made history on Saturday by reaching the last 16 and a date with Iga Swiatek

MELBOURNE: Eva Lys called it “an insane story” and life-changing after the German made history on Saturday by reaching the last 16 and a date with Iga Swiatek.
The 128th-ranked Lys fought back from a set down to become the first women’s singles “lucky loser” to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.
The 23-year-old defeated Jaqueline Cristian of Romania 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and faces a daunting clash with the second seed and five-time Grand Slam champion on Monday.
A tennis tournament lucky loser is a player who does not get through qualifying for the main draw but is later awarded a berth following another player’s withdrawal, usually because of illness or injury.
“It definitely doesn’t feel real for me right now,” said Ukraine-born Lys, who had her flight booked and bags packed before getting a reprieve.
“I don’t know when the realization will kick in. It’s definitely just an amazing situation to be in, especially knowing that I was a lucky loser.”
It has been a whirlwind few days for Lys.
She lost in the final round of qualifying in Melbourne last week, her hopes of making the first major of the year seemingly over.
But she hung about in case another player would drop out and 13th seed Anna Kalinskaya did just that on Tuesday, giving Lys a lifeline.
She said she had just 10 minutes’ warning before defeating home player Kimberly Birrell in straight sets in the first round, then beat Varvara Gracheva of France.
“It’s definitely an insane story,” said Lys, who is enjoying easily her best run at a major and will need to reschedule her flight again — she had booked it for Sunday.
“How it happened, how fast it happened. It’s been just a couple of days that have totally changed my life,” she added.


Swiatek destroys Raducanu as Sinner steps up Melbourne defense

Swiatek destroys Raducanu as Sinner steps up Melbourne defense
Updated 18 January 2025
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Swiatek destroys Raducanu as Sinner steps up Melbourne defense

Swiatek destroys Raducanu as Sinner steps up Melbourne defense
  • Iga Swiatek romps to a 6-1, 6-0 triumph in a statement victory as she pursues a first Melbourne crown
  • Swiatek is a five-time major winner but she has never gone beyond the semifinals at Melbourne Park

MELBOURNE: Iga Swiatek demolished Emma Raducanu on Saturday to sweep into the last 16 of the Australian Open, where Jannik Sinner will later step up his title defense and young tyro Learner Tien is also in action.
In a one-sided battle of former US Open champions, Swiatek romped to a 6-1, 6-0 triumph in a statement victory as she pursues a first Melbourne crown.
Emma Navarro, the eighth seed from the United States, joined the Pole in the second week of the first Grand Slam of the year with a gritty three-set win over Ons Jabeur. Sixth seed Elena Rybakina also advanced.
“I felt like the ball is listening to me,” Swiatek said after rattling off 11 straight games in a brutal display against Britain’s Raducanu on Rod Laver Arena.
The 23-year-old Swiatek is a five-time major winner but she has never gone beyond the semifinals at Melbourne Park.
She faces “lucky loser” Eva Lys next.
“I feel much more fresh than for the past two years,” said Swiatek.
“The last two years I felt much more fatigue and also a bit more stress.”
Swiatek will be a massive favorite when she faces Germany’s Lys.
The 128th-ranked Lys defeated Jaqueline Cristian of Romania in three sets to become the first women’s singles “lucky loser” to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.
Navarro credited her billionaire father for teaching her “toughness” as she clawed through 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 against three-time Slam finalist Jabeur.
Navarro has become a three-set specialist with no WTA player playing through more since the beginning of 2024, with the American 23-9 over the distance since then.
Daughter of billionaire businessman Ben Navarro, founder of the Sherman Financial Group, she praised her dad, who was courtside, for her stamina.
She recalled how he would take her and her siblings on six-hour bike rides when they were kids.
“We made up a term — biking and crying,” Navarro, 23, said.
“I learned a lot of toughness growing up. A lot of thanks goes to him.”
Also on day seven, former Wimbledon champion Rybakina of Kazakhstan needed a medical timeout to treat a back spasm before winning 6-3, 6-4 against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine.
World number four Jasmine Paolini, who reached two Slam finals last year, faces another Ukrainian in Elina Svitolina later.
American Danielle Collins, who has become the pantomime villain after thanking hecklers for “paying my bills,” is also in action.
The world number 11, runner-up in the 2022 Australian Open final to Ash Barty, gets another chance to wind up the Australians in the crowd when she faces fellow American Madison Keys.
Italian world number one and defending champion Sinner faces American Marcos Giron as he seeks a berth in the last 16 in an evening match on Rod Laver Arena.
Sinner could meet 13th seed Holger Rune in the fourth round if the Dane gets past Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.
There will be intense interest in 19-year-old qualifier Tien, who stunned three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev in a five-set epic.
The youngster wolfed down a pepperoni pizza in celebration following his 4hr 48min marathon against Medvedev that finished at nearly 3:00am on Friday.
He will need to recover fast for the challenge of 69th-ranked Corentin Moutet of France.
Tien’s victory over Medvedev saw him become the second youngest American man in the Open Era to reach the third round in Melbourne — behind only 14-time Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras in 1990.
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz faces timeless French veteran Gael Monfils and remaining home hope Alex de Minaur takes on Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.


Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla

Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla
Updated 17 January 2025
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Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla

Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla
  • Ikmah showed their real strength and dominance of Group 1 after two victories against Dadan 4-2 and AlUla team 5-4
  • Richard Mille topped Group 2 after defeating Budget 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Bentley

ALULA: Ikmah and Richard Mille have qualified to the final of the Richard Mille Desert Polo Championship 2025, and will face off in the final showdown that AlUla’s Al Fursan Village hosts on Saturday.
The fourth edition of the prestigious competition’s finale takes place at 4 p.m. Saudi time.
Ikmah showed their real strength and dominance of Group 1 after two victories against Dadan 4-2 and AlUla team 5-4.
Meanwhile, Richard Mille topped Group 2 after defeating Budget 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Bentley.
The tournament’s Friday matches saw intense competition in the presence of distinguished figures, including Piero Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation, Amr Zidan, president of the Saudi Polo Federation, and Ziyad Al-Suhaibani, head of sports at the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Meanwhile, AlUla battles against Bentley for third place, and Dadan faces Budget to determine the fifth and sixth positions before the final.
Speaking about the event’s significance, Faisal bin Duwies, the Saudi Polo Federation’s CEO,” expressed pride in Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global sports arena.
“We take pride in seeing the Kingdom lead the global sports scene through prestigious championships.”
He emphasized the tournament’s role in fostering talent, highlighting the participation of polo legends from around the world, which enriches the experience for all competing players.
As anticipation builds, the final promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a premier destination for world-class polo.
The championship is being organized in coordination with the Royal Commission for AlUla.