Hadi Omar Al Hussaini has shown versatility in his young career thus far. Al Hussaini enters tonight’s fight with a 5-0-1 record, which includes three victories via submission. The American Kickboxing Academy product last fought in March, scoring a win over Adel Ayn Zarka.

 

Known as “The Panther,” Ziad Ayman Mokhtar started his combat sports journey through kung fu before taking up other disciplines, making his way over to MMA. Mokhtar lost his MMA debut but has gone unbeaten since, entering tonight with a 5-1 record, including three submissions. A former regional flyweight champion, Mokhtar last fought in March, scoring a first-round submission of Marabet Mohamed Eslam.

 

Which PFL debutant will score the win in this flyweight showcase bout?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Al Hussaini to start things off. Right hand from Al Hussaini doesn’t connect. Another leg kick from Al Hussaini. And another. Leg kick from Mokhtar now. Right hand from Al Hussaini, while Mokhtar misses a left. Al Hussaini tries to come in with a combination, but Mokhtar lands his own shots. Al Hussaini continues with the calf kicks. Mokhtar with another low kick. Mokhtar misses a one-two. Mokhtar lands a left. Right hand from Al Hussaini. Al Hussaini comes in with a flurry, getting Mokhtar to the fence, and he looks for the takedown. He gets it, but Mokhtar quickly gets up and away from the fence.

 

Another low kick from Al Hussaini. Round kick upstairs by Mokhtar, but it’s blocked. Right hand from Al Hussaini, but Mokhtar goes with the left. Low kick from Al Hussaini. Another low kick from Al Hussaini. And another. Both men throw straights. Both men miss with a right. Al Hussaini misses an overhand. Al Hussaini lands the right hand. Low kick from Mokhtar. Both men land a straight as Al Hussaini comes in. A high kick from Mokhtar lands, and Al Hussaini clinches up with some dirty boxing before the round ends.

 

 

Round 2

 

Al Hussaini with an outside leg kick to start. Mokhtar lands one of his own. Another leg kick from Al Hussaini. Combination by Al Hussaini, but Mokhtar threatens with power. Al Hussaini looks for another takedown, but Mokhtar easily shoves Al Hussaini off. Right hand connects for Al Hussaini. Left jab and a right hand lands for Mokhtar. Mokhtar avoids another takedown and lands a combination. Low kick from Al Hussaini. Al Hussaini throws a right hand, and Mokhtar responds in kind. Left hand from Mokhtar, as his punches are really starting to land now. Low kick from Al Hussaini. Overhand right misses for Al Hussaini.

 

Round kick by Mokhtar. Al Hussaini comes inside, but Mokhtar gets out of the way. Al Hussaini with a right hand, and Mokhtar retreats after getting near the fence again. Low kick from Al Hussaini yet again. Another one. Another one, and Mokhtar answers with a left hand. Right hand from Al Hussaini. Low kick from Al Hussaini. Low kick and a right hand from Mokhtar. Both men throwing power straights. Al Hussaini shoots in again, and this time he gets the takedown. Al Hussaini gets to the back and gets a hook in. Al Hussaini landing hammerfists. Some more ground-and-pound from Al Hussaini. Al Hussaini trying to work for a choke, but the horn sounds.

 

 

Round 3

 

One-two from Mokhtar. Low kick from Al Hussaini. Right hand from Al Hussaini, and a one-two from Mokhtar. One-two from Mokhtar again. Low kick from Mokhtar. Al Hussaini grabs a leg and brings Mokhtar over to the fence. Al Hussaini looks for another takedown, and he gets it after some struggle. Mokhtar is seated up against the fence, and Al Hussaini is trying to flatten him. Al Hussaini gets Mokhtar to his back, controlling his legs. Al Hussaini looks to get back to Mokhtar’s back. He does so, but Mokhtar is back on his feet, his chest pressed into the fence. Al Hussaini trips him, but Mokhtar is back up on his feet. Mokhtar gets it chest-to-chest, but Al Hussaini manages to score another takedown.

 

Al Hussaini looks for the back again, but Mokhtar returns the fight to the feet. One-two and a high kick land for Mokhtar. Combination from Mokhtar. One-two from Mokhtar, and he seems to be walking a tired Al Hussaini down! One-two from Mokhtar. Left hand lands for Mokhtar. Al Hussaini goes for another takedown, but Mokhtar stuffs it. Mokhtar keeping it on the ground, and Al Hussaini is busted open! Mokhtar gets to Al Hussaini’s back and looks for a choke! He has it locked in, and he gets the submission!

 

 

What a comeback from Ziad Ayman Mokhtar!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Ziad “The Panther” Ayman Mokhtar defeats Hadi Omar Al Hussaini by 3rd round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:24) in a PFL MENA Showcase Bout (non-season).

  • Mokhtar moves his career record to 6-1, handing Al Hussaini the first loss of his career
  • Mokhtar wins his 6th straight fight
  • Mokhtar fights out of Cairo, Egypt