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JEDDAH: The 2025 PFL MENA season kicks off on May 9 with Jordan鈥檚 Abdelrahman Alhyasat facing Taha Bendaoud of Morocco in the quarterfinals of the featherweight tournament at Onyx Arena in Jeddah.

Last season, Alhyasat was a revelation at 145 pounds, picking up impressive wins over Ahmed Tarek and eventual champion Abdullah Al-Qahtani to reach the final round, before being forced to withdraw due to injury.

Now back to full health, the 35-year-old is planning to get back to the top of the mountain and claim the title that many fans believe should have been his in the first place.

鈥淭his tournament is a pivotal moment in my professional career. It鈥檚 not just another fight 鈥� it鈥檚 a step toward something much bigger,鈥� Alhyasat said.

鈥淭hanks to God, I鈥檓 more than ready for this league. I鈥檝e worked hard to reach this level, and I believe my skill set is above everyone else in the division.鈥�

After last season鈥檚 dominant win over Al-Qahtani, Alhyasat is coming into the new season with a lot of confidence on his side.

鈥淚鈥檓 entering the cage with full confidence and a clear goal: to achieve another milestone for Jordan,鈥� he said.

For this season, Alhyasat spent time training in Thailand and said that there he sharpened every aspect of his game, working with coaches from every discipline.

鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 in Phuket, training with some of the best coaches in the world. I鈥檝e surrounded myself with specialists in boxing, wrestling, and grappling to make sure no detail is left behind,鈥� Alhyasat said.

鈥淭his camp has been the most intense and focused of my career 鈥� it鈥檚 about refining every part of my game so I can perform at my best when it matters most.鈥�

But Alhyasat will have his work cut out for him when he takes on a highly rated PFL MENA newcomer in Moroccan Taha Bendaoud.

鈥淏endaoud is a strong opponent, and I respect his skills,鈥� said Alhyasat. 鈥淗e鈥檚 not far off in level from someone like Abdullah Al-Qahtani. He鈥檚 got the talent, no doubt.鈥�

While Alhyasat has nothing but respect, the Jordanian said that he has faced Bendaoud before and knows exactly what he brings to the table.

鈥淚鈥檝e faced him before and come out on top. I know where his weaknesses are, and I鈥檝e trained specifically to exploit them,鈥� Alhyasat said. 鈥淚鈥檝e prepared a game plan that leaves no room for mistakes.鈥�

As for a fight prediction, Alhyasat sees this one being over quickly.

鈥淭his fight will end in the first round, God willing. I鈥檓 ready to send a message to everyone in the division,鈥� he said.

While Bendaoud will be making his PFL MENA debut, this will not be his first time inside the PFL SmartCage. The undefeated Moroccan is 4-0 in his fledgling career, and was initially supposed to be part of the inaugural PFL MENA season, but missed weight for his season debut, and ended up being forced off the tournament altogether.

He bounced back in spectacular fashion with a second-round submission win over the more experienced Tariq Ismail at Battle of the Giants in October. The impressive win over the previously undefeated Ismail became sort of an audition for this year鈥檚 PFL MENA season, and his reward is a quarterfinal bout against the man who dominated the division鈥檚 champion.

With a second chance at becoming a PFL MENA champion, Bendaoud said he is ready for another opportunity.

鈥淚鈥檓 having the best fight camp of my life. I鈥檝e been training twice a day since my last fight, and I feel like I鈥檝e evolved in every part of my game. I鈥檓 excited to step in there and show the PFL fans what I鈥檝e been working on.鈥�

Bendaoud added that the missed opportunity in Season 1 was a big learning experience.

鈥淚n Season 1, I wasn鈥檛 in shape and I couldn鈥檛 make weight. I missed a big opportunity, but it taught me a lot,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ince then, I鈥檝e been working really hard to be at my best. I鈥檓 on weight and more focused than ever.鈥�

Against Alhyasat, Bendaoud admitted that he will be sharing the SmartCage with a tough opponent.

鈥�(Alhyasat) is a solid, well-rounded fighter with a lot of experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 respect his skills and I think it鈥檚 a great challenge.鈥�

But Bendaoud believes that he can hang with Alhyasat, no matter what situation their fight brings.

鈥淚 feel confident in every area: striking, grappling, wrestling. I鈥檓 prepared for whatever comes and ready to perform at a high level,鈥� Bendaoud said.

While Bendaoud is not one for predictions, what he guarantees is that he will give his best and that the fans can expect a great fight.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 like to make predictions, but I can promise this: I鈥檒l give my best, fight with heart and confidence, and leave it all in there. The rest is in Allah鈥檚 hands, He鈥檚 the best of planners.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to put on a great show for the fans,鈥� Bendaoud said.