- George Chung
- Nov 30, 2024
- 3 min read
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) joined forces with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation (SMMAF) for a groundbreaking event on Friday night at King Saud University.
Broadcasting live on ESPN+ and DAZN, the 2024 PFL Global Season Championships and the inaugural PFL MENA Season delivered jaw-dropping moments, crowning ten world champions in a single night of electrifying action.
Timur Khizriev Dominates in the Main Event
In the evening’s headliner, Timur Khizriev (18-0) cemented his status as an undefeated phenom by dismantling 2023 PFL Featherweight Champion Brendan Loughnane (30-6). Khizriev’s relentless grappling and superior pace earned him a decisive unanimous decision and made him the fourth Russian to claim a PFL Championship in 2024.
Dakota Ditcheva’s Meteoric Rise to Gold
The co-main event spotlighted Dakota Ditcheva (14-0), who showcased her finishing prowess by stopping former UFC title challenger Talia Santos (22-4) to claim the 2024 PFL Women’s Flyweight Championship. Ditcheva completed a perfect season, finishing all four of her opponents with clinical precision and elevating her to MMA stardom.
Shocking Upsets and Stunning Victories
Turkmenistan’s Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) delivered a shocking 58-second finish of 2023 Light Heavyweight Champion Impa Kasanganay (18-5), marking Turkmenistan's first major MMA championship victory. Meanwhile, Shamil Musaev (20-0-1) dethroned fellow Russian Magomed Umalatov (17-1) in a battle of unbeaten welterweights, securing the title with a vicious flurry in the second round.
Gadzhi Rabadanov (24-4-2), under the guidance of Khabib Nurmagomedov, added a brutal third-round knockout of Brent Primus (15-4) to his highlight reel, earning the Lightweight crown. Heavyweight sambo ace Denis Goltsov (36-8) finally achieved PFL gold with a first-round submission over compatriot Oleg Popov (29-2).
PFL MENA: History in the Making
The inaugural PFL MENA season crowned its first champions, bringing MMA glory to the region:
Featherweight: Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Qahtani (10-2) ignited the hometown crowd with a first-round TKO over Morocco’s Marouane Bellagouit (6-1).
Welterweight: Egypt’s Omar El Dafrawy (13-6) stunned fans with a left hook finish to claim the title.
Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (12-1) delivered a highlight-reel knockout with a ferocious right hook after catching a stray kick.
Lightweight: Mohsen Mohammadseifi (7-2) earned a unanimous decision over Georges Eid (10-5), making history as the division’s first champion.
Unforgettable Moments Across the Card
Slim Trabelsi (8-0) edged Abraham Bably (5-1) in a grueling heavyweight split decision.
Gabriel Braga (15-2) bloodied Jeremy Kennedy (19-5) with elbow strikes en route to a decision win.
Asael Adjoudj (9-1) pulled off a stunning guillotine submission against Jose Perez (9-2) in a thrilling comeback.
Costello van Steenis (16-3) opened the event with a show-stopping head-kick KO, setting the tone for a night of unforgettable action.
The PFL’s 2024 season finale wasn’t just an event—it was a global MMA spectacle that showcased the rise of champions, the thrill of upsets, and the power of the sport to unite fans across cultures.
2024 PFL Championship Global Season Results
Timur Khizriev (18-0) def. Brendan Loughnane (30-6) via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46 x2)
Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) def. Talia Santos (22-4) via TKO at 4:41 of round two
Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) def. Impa Kasanganay (18-5) via KO at :58 of round one
Shamil Musaev (20-0-1) def. Magomed Umalatov (17-1) via KO at 1:44 of round three
Gadzhi Rabadanov (24-4-2) def. Brent Primus (15-4) via KO at 2:31 of round three
Denis Goltsov (36-8) def. Oleg Popov (19-2) via submission [triangle choke] at 2:55 of round one
PFL MENA Championship Results
Abdullah Al-Qahtani (10-2) def. Marouane Bellagouit (6-1) via TKO at 3:21 of round one
Omar El Dafrawy (13-6) def. Mohammad Alaqraa (7-1) via TKO at :57 of round two
Hattan Alsaif (3-0) def. Lilia Osmani (0-1) via KO at 1:37 of round two
Ali Taleb (12-1) def. Rachid El Hazoume (15-4) via KO at 1:25 of round one
Mohsen Mohammadseifi (7-2) def. Georges Eid (10-5) via unanimous decision (50-45 x2, 49-46)
PFL Showcase Bouts Results
Mansour Barnaoui (22-6) def. Alfie Davis (17-5-1) via submission [rear-naked choke] at 3:41 of round 3
Slim Trabelsi (8-0) def. Abraham Bably (5-1) via split decision (29-28x2, 28-29)
Gabriel Braga (15-2) def. Jeremy Kennedy (19-5) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Asael Adjoudj (9-1) def. Jose Perez (9-2) via submission [guillotine choke] at 1:10 of round 3
Costello van Steenis (16-3) def. Joao Dantas (7-2) via KO at :48 of round one
