Islam Reda has shown his success in grappling, becoming a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and an eight-time Egypt National BJJ Champion. Reda, who made his pro MMA debut in 2013, is 11-1, with his sole loss coming against fellow PFL MENA roster member Abdullah Al-Qahtani. Reda has won five straight, defeating Adam Meskini in May at PFL MENA 1.

 

Marouane Bellagouit, meanwhile, has shown quite the success in the kickboxing realm, becoming a national champion in his native Morocco. Unbeaten at 5-0, he has scored four wins via knockout, three of them coming in the first round. Bellagouit scored a third-round finish of Mido Mohamed in May.

 

Who will move on to the first-ever PFL MENA featherweight title fight?

 

 

Round 1

 

Reda goes in for a takedown, but Bellagouit prevents it. Round kick to the body from Bellagouit. Reda with another takedown attempt, but Bellagouit stuffs it and gets into top control. Reda goes for a leg lock, but Bellagouit gets him off. Reda scores a takedown, but Bellagouit looks to get on top before they get back to their feet. Another battle for control, with Reda and Bellagouit battling for pressure control against the fence. Reda fails to throw Bellagouit, as Bellagouit lands a knee before pressing Reda. Reda reverses and scores a takedown. Bellagouit, however, looks for a choke. Bellagouit sweeps and gets on top. The fight returns to the feet. Right hand and a knee from Bellagouit.

 

Low kick from Bellagouit. Both men trading straights. Reda pushes forward to the fence. Knee by Reda before they return to the center. Calf kick and a kick from the body by Bellagouit. Reda misses a right. Low kick from Bellagouit. Another calf kick from Bellagouit. Reda lands a strong combination, but Bellagouit answers. Reda with another takedown, getting Bellagouit against the fence. The referee calls for action. Bellagouit controlling Reda’s arm on the ground. Reda gets out of the grasp. Reda lands a couple of shots to the body. The two return to the feet, but do not throw, before the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

Reda coming forward, as the two battle in a body lock to start the round. Reda looking for the takedown. Reda, with some struggle, manages to sit Bellagouit down. Reda with a couple of right hands to the head. Reda moves into full mount. Bellagouit trying to hold Reda down. Reda looks for an Ezekiel choke, but Bellagouit stops it. Reda trying to posture up as he lands a series of right hands.

 

Bellagouit trying to find a way back to his feet, but Reda continuing to lay in the ground-and-pound. Reda continuing to land, but he’s struggling to create distance. Bellagouit seems unable to find any sort of escape. Reda postured up again, and he continues to land shots on the ground. Reda letting his hands go, laying damage in on Bellagouit. Reda looks for an armbar. Bellagouit trying to fight out of it, but his arm is being stretched! Bellagouit manages to escape and gets back to his feet! Kick to the legs of the ground Reda. Bellagouit continues to deliver those until the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

Reda misses a right hand. Right hand lands this time. Low kick from Bellagouit. Reda looks for another takedown, but Bellagouit dodges. Reda gets a body lock, bringing Bellagouit over to the fence. Reda looks for a trip, but Bellagouit stays up. Bellagouit with a couple of right hands in the Wizzer. Reda, however, manages to score another takedown. Reda looks to work in side control, but Bellagouit has his legs around him. The referee calls for activity. Reda looking to do work as he battles in Bellagouit’s guard.

 

The referee calling for more activity again. Reda stands up, dealing with Bellagouit’s guard still. Reda looking to work his way into full mount. Right hand by Reda. Reda still in half guard. A couple of right hands from Reda. The activity now being brought up, landing right hand after right hand to the body. Reda looking for a kimura. Reda now in side control, looking to move into full mount. Reda lets go of the kimura attempt. The referee calls for action, and Reda looks to posture up as he lands some ground-and-pound. Reda firing off left hand after left hand. Reda stays on top until the final bell.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Islam "Egyptian Zombie" Reda defeats Marouane Bellagouit by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-27) in a PFL MENA Featherweight Semifinal bout to advance to the 2024 PFL MENA Championship. He will face the winner of the Featherweight Semifinal bout between Abdullah Al-Qahtani and Abdelrahman Alhyasat, which is today's main event.