Saudi Arabia’s pioneering combined martial artist Hattan Alsaif has withdrawn from her extremely anticipated skilled debut on the PFL MENA 2025 Championships following an harm, marking an sudden setback for the fighter who was scheduled to face Egypt’s Haidy Ahmed on December fifth in Khobar.
Hattan Alsaif Withdraws from PFL Match
The PFL launched an official assertion acknowledging the withdrawal and expressing assist for Alsaif’s restoration. The assertion emphasised the dedication each athletes had dedicated to the matchup, recognizing the frustration shared by followers who had been anticipating the bout. Regardless of the withdrawal, the occasion will proceed as deliberate on December fifth on the Dhahran Expo in Al Khobar, that includes eight confirmed bouts throughout a number of weight divisions, with appearances from Saudi athletes Malik Basahel and Ahmed Albrahim.
Alsaif‘s withdrawal represents a major second in her profession trajectory. The 24-year-old was set to make her skilled debut after compiling a flawless 4-0 novice document, highlighted by three consecutive knockout victories in 2024. Her skilled debut held huge symbolic weight not just for her private athletic ambitions however for girls’s MMA illustration in Saudi Arabia. Previous to her PFL signing in January 2024, no Saudi lady had ever signed with a serious world MMA promotion.
The injury forcing Alsaif out remains unspecified in available statements, though the timing comes after months of intense training and preparation. The fighter had been training extensively to make her professional debut a statement moment, particularly given her accomplished combat sports background. Before entering MMA, Alsaif earned a gold medal at the 2023 International Federation of Muay Thai Associations World Championships and captured gold on the World Fight Video games that very same yr. Her early boxing ventures started in 2021, and he or she transitioned to MMA whereas persevering with her placing work beneath the steerage of Saudi Muay Thai coach Firas Saadi.
Ahmed, Alsaif’s scheduled opponent, carries a 2-1 professional record and hails from Cairo, Egypt. The atomweight bout was positioned as a showcase bout separate from the PFL MENA tournament format, which typically features championship fights and tournament eliminations across welterweight, lightweight, featherweight, and bantamweight divisions. Ahmed has competed in Egyptian regional promotions before, amassing her 2-1 record through various fight organizations.
The PFL statement expressed confidence in Alsaif’s recovery prospects, indicating the organization views this as a temporary setback rather than a career-defining moment. The fighter has demonstrated physical and mental fortitude throughout her career, having trained at specialized facilities including camps in Thailand alongside other PFL athletes. Her gym experience spans sparring with male fighters substantially heavier than herself, an approach she credits with strengthening her competitive edge.
While the December 5th event will continue without Alsaif’s participation, the PFL has maintained its commitment to featuring eight confirmed bouts on the card. The championship fights in welterweight, lightweight, featherweight, and bantamweight divisions remain scheduled, with Mohammad Alaqraa defending his welterweight tournament position against Badreddine Diani, and Salah Eddine Hamli facing Mohammad Fahmi for the lightweight title. Each championship bout offers a $100,000 purse alongside the divisional championship belt.
