Pouya Rahmani continues his speedy rise by the heavyweight ranks when he faces Karl Williams on Saturday, February 7 on the Coca-Cola Area in Dubai. The matchup represents a big second in Rahmani’s profession because the Iranian-born fighter seems to be to increase his unbeaten report towards a seasoned contender. This has been confirmed by PFL staff to Tim Wheaton of LowKick MMA.
Pouya Rahmani vs. Karl Williams
Rahmani enters the bout at 5-0 after making an impressive statement in his PFL debut on October 3 at the PFL Champions Sequence: Highway to Dubai – The Rematch. The 33-year-old from Iran dropped Slim Trabelsi with an overhand proper simply 2:47 into the primary spherical, including to what has change into a sample of dominance for the heavyweight prospect. All 5 of Rahmani’s skilled victories have come by first-round stoppage, establishing him as one of many division’s most threatening finishers. His most up-to-date win got here by TKO by way of strikes and ground-and-pound after the preliminary knockdown.
Rahmani’s path to MMA came through an accomplished career in grappling. The wrestler spent over a decade with Iran’s national wrestling team and won gold at the Abu Dhabi Grappling World Championships in 2025, along with titles in beach wrestling and no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu. These credentials spotlight his wrestling pedigree and control-based method contained in the cage. Now working out of Workforce Nogueira in Dubai, he’s change into a fixture within the UAE combating scene and has constructed a rising fanbase within the MENA area. Rahmani’s said aim stays easy: win the PFL heavyweight championship after which problem fighters from the promotion’s broader roster.
On the opposite side stands Williams, an American wrestler from Xtreme Couture who brings a 10-4 report to the bout. The 35-year-old competed within the 2025 PFL World Match, going through Oleg Popov in Might at PFL 4. Williams took the battle to Popov however got here up brief in a cut up determination. Two judges scored the bout 29-28 for Popov whereas the third judged it 29-28 for Williams, creating one of many match’s tighter matchups. Williams landed strikes and maintained stress by the three rounds however Popov’s grappling and takedown management proved the distinction.
The loss to Popov came on short notice when Williams stepped in to face the Russian grappler in the World Tournament. Williams’ wrestling background has defined his career, and he ranks among the heavyweight division’s most proficient wrestlers in terms of takedown efficiency. His experience extends across multiple organizations, including time in the UFC where he competed between 2023 and 2024. Most recently, Williams suffered a knockout loss to Sergey Bilostenniy in August 2025 at the World Tournament Finals, when Bilostenniy caught him with a left hook at the 4:11 mark of round two.
Rahmani represents the undefeated prospect making waves through an accelerated path, while Williams embodies the veteran looking to reestablish himself after tournament setbacks. Rahmani’s finishing rate and grappling foundation stand in contrast to Williams’ wrestling credentials and decision-based approach, setting up a clash of styles. For Rahmani, a win over a tournament-tested heavyweight like Williams would represent a significant validation of his rapid ascent. For Williams, returning to victory against an undefeated prospect would mark a comeback statement in his PFL tenure.
The bout takes place on what guarantees to be the largest PFL card the Center East has hosted, with the occasion headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov defending his light-weight title towards Alfie Davis.
