The first PFL fighter to represent Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Al-Qahtani’s journey in combat sports started with wrestling and Muay Thai before transitioning to MMA. Currently sporting a 7-1 record, Al-Qahtani has fought twice in PFL Showcase bouts already, submitting Lamar Brown this past June and earning a decision over David Zeiner in August.

 

Edukondal Rao, who makes his PFL debut today, comes into this fight with three wins by submission in his five professional MMA fights thus far. Rao started his career with four straight victories before suffering his first taste of defeat in his most recent outing, a decision loss to Gurtej Singh in July. Rao is also a professional kickboxer, having won a championship in the sport as an amateur.

 

Who will make the most of this opportunity here in this featherweight Showcase bout?

 

 

Round 1

 

A low kick from Rao. A combination from Al-Qahtani as the two trade near the fence. Al-Qahtani tries to keep Rao pinned to the fence as he looks to take Rao down. Al-Qahtani goes from the body lock and scores a takedown. Al-Qahtani looks to work while in Rao’s guard. Rao uses the PFL SmartCage to get back to his feet. Right hand from Al-Qahtani. One-two from Al-Qahtani. Rao just misses a low side kick. The two trade and Rao knocks Al-Qahtani down with a left hand! Al-Qahtani recovers and takes Rao down again!

 

Rao throws up-kicks, but Al-Qahtani works around them while battling in Rao’s guard. Rao throws a few right hands from the bottom. Al-Qahtani throws hammer fists from up top. The referee brings the two back to their feet with just over a minute left. The two battle in close again, with the two making their way to the fence and jockeying for position. Al-Qahtani wins the position battle and takes Rao down again. Al-Qahtani tries to pass through Rao’s guard but can’t seem to do so before the bell sounds.

 

 

Round 2

 

A couple of kicks from Rao to start. One-two from Al-Qahtani. Al-Qahtani works a combination, and Rao seems to stumble a bit. Another combination with Rao near the fence, and he looks tired. Al-Qahtani lands another takedown and throws some hammerfists. Al-Qahtani gets into side control and throws some more. Rao throws his guard back up, but it’s not doing much to stop the relentless offense from Al-Qahtani, who’s trying to score the finish. Rao survives the flurry of offense initially, but Al-Qahtani looks to continue his pressure.

 

 

Rao tries to fight back as the fight gets back to the feet, but Al-Qahtani locks him up again and brings him back to the ground. Al-Qahtani landing to the body before the fight returns to the feet with a minute left. Rao lands a straight, but Al-Qahtani pins Rao against the PFL SmartCage. The two battle in close against the fence, with Al-Qahtani landing a strong right as they break. A high kick from Rao is blocked. Al-Qahtani lands a right and narrowly misses a spinning head kick before the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

After a check on Rao by the doctor, round three begins with a low kick from Rao. Rao throws a combination, but Al-Qahtani fires off a combination of his own. Al-Qahtani continues to pound away, rocking Rao again, and the referee steps in!

 

 

Abdullah Al-Qahtani gets the job done in his hometown!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Abdullah Al-Qahtani defeats Edukondal Rao by 3rd round TKO (0:23)