PFL MENA 11 is headlined by light-heavyweight trilogy fight a decade in the making

PFL MENA 11 is a stacked night of action in Riyadh that might be sliding under the radar for American audiences.

Boulevard City in Riyadh plays host to the semi-finals of their regional tournaments, as well as a host of showcase matchups. There’s even an amateur prelim that features Saudi Arabian Fatima Al Ammari – who was inspired to take up MMA by the fan favorite Hattan Alsaif debuts against Aya Lounes.

It all leads to a massive main event between Mostafa Nada and Osama Elsaidy at light-heavyweight. The pair first met in March of 2016 with the former scoring a split decision win, before Elsaidy got his win back that December.

In an exclusive chat with Bloody Elbow ahead of tonight’s PFL MENA 11 event in Riyadh, General Manager Jerome Mazet broke down the history of their grudge match main event that dates back to over a decade ago.

“There’s a bit for everyone in this card,” he explained. “Obviously the most exciting fight is the main event which is a trilogy ten years in the making between two of the biggest punchers in the region. There aren’t a lot of light-heavyweights or heavyweights in MENA.

“So these guys have been at it for ten years, they’re 1-1 and both look really strong and solid. They are towards the second half of their careers and their legacies, it’s a big fight for anybody who has been following MMA in the region for the last 10-15 years.

“We know we have those hardcore fans and the number of comments we have received on this fight has been massive and there’s been, really, a lot of gratitude. Fans saying ‘we’re so glad you’re doing it’ and even the fighters were surprised when we came back to them and said ‘why don’t we settle that score?’

“There’s a lot on the line in this fight that goes beyond simply the result on Friday night. It really is the legacy for both fighters and being able to claim that they are the dominant big guy in the region.”

Matchmaker Gustavo Firmino was tasked with putting the fight together, and added that: “Both of their fights were very controversial depending on who you speak to. The first one was a split decision which always has controversy because one of the judges didn’t agree.

“Then the second fight where Osama Elsaidy won by TKO there was apparently an illegal shot to the groin that was felt that the referee never stopped the action for. At the end of the day, they’re 1-1 and they have the chance to settle this score.

“Both fighters have fought for PFL Global… They haven’t had the activity they were looking for and both men were basically saying ‘look, if we’re going to come back it has to be for a meaningful fight and that’s what we are having. It’s an incredible main event.”