Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (DUBAI)
Emirati fighter Hadi Al Hussaini found immediate success at the inaugural Race to Dubai Champions Series card of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) promotion when he managed to overcome his Filipino rival Ruel Panales by a unanimous decision, and he is now itching for another fight.
"In front of my people, in front of my fans... it's a historic win for me but he was a very tough, tough opponent," said the flyweight fighter Hadi, speaking to Aletihad after the bout. [on what next] I cannot take any decision at the moment. I will sit with my team, with management, and I believe PFL is going to host more events here in the UAE. I would love to continue and compete in the UAE and be able to represent my country so that's why I signed up the contract."
Hadi turned to be a go-getter, having come prepared for his opponent from Philippines, who believed in more kicking while Hadi relied more on his hands, and a predator-like mindset in the clash over three rounds of five minutes each. The moment Panales lifted his leg for a strike, Hadi pounced and pinned him down. Most of the round went in Rabales trying to break free.
He was still catching some breath and kept moving in the centre of the cage in the second, leading in an eventless second round. Rabales then blinked again in the decider round. Going for a kick again, he was swept off the ground in a flash by Hadi who pinned him down in a better position and kept landing in jabs; nothing spectacular but enough to seal victory.
A late bloomer, Hadi turned pro only four years back but still gave up the sport for a brief period last year when he became a father of a now two-year-old daughter. But then came along the offer from PFL, the second-ranked mixed martial arts promotion in the world.
The Dubai resident said: "It is a big victory for me to be able to win in front of my people in my city in a promotion like PFL on a big night. Both were ready for each other. It was first round for me, second round it was... he made the mistake of going for the cake again. But, you know, this is the fight. Any small mistake can cost you."
"He was a tough opponent, a very good striker. It was a very tough fight. By God's grace, we stuck to the game plan, tried to keep him down, and stick to my strength. And it worked. My contract is still on so I'm happy to fight with PFL and let's see what's next."
Results:
Lightweight: Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Paul Hughes (Majority decision)
Heavyweight: Vadim Nemkov def Tim Johnson (Submission rear naked choke)
Featherweight: Akhmed Magomedov def Nathan Kelly (Submission rear naked choke)
Catchweight: Ibragim Ibragimov def Kenny Mokhonoana (Unanimous decision)
Bantamweight: Renat Khavalov def Cleiver Fernandes (Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 199lbs: Ahmed Samy def Tarek Suleiman (TKO)
Lightweight: Mirafzal Akhtamov def Mike Thompson (submission head high choke)
Flyweight: Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def Ruel Panales (Unanimous decision)
Lightweight: John Mitchell def Souhil Tairi (unanimous decision)
Middleweight: Haider Khan def Mostafa Nada (TKO)
