As the PFL continues to grow, so does their roster, with the promotion confirming the signing of both Hadi Al Hussaini and Youssef Al Housani.
The duo are the latest of a long list of up and coming prospects to chose to sign with the PFL as their global expansion is set to introduce more and more opportunity for athletes around the world.
Discussing the signings, Gustavo Firmino, VP of Fighter Operations, PFL MENA said:
“We are thrilled to welcome two of the UAE’s top prospects to PFL MENA,
The mission of the PFL is to find the best fighters in every region around the world. Our partnership with SRJ Sports has allowed the PFL to identify and sign exceptional fighters like Al Hussaini and Al Housani who we know have the potential to become global stars in the sport.”
Al Hussaini currently holds an unbeaten 5-0-1 record, with four of those victories coming inside the distance. In his professional debut, Al Hussaini faced fellow debutant, Mohamed Safnas Sahabdeen at UAE Warriors 19 and claimed a rear naked choke win with just 4 seconds left on the clock in the first round. He returned to the cage just three months later to defeat Emad Elhabily in the second round of their contest before making his third and final walk to the cage of 2021just seven weeks after his second bout to beat Hasan Abdelhafez.
He then made the walk twice in 2022 and picked up one win and one draw, before having 20 months away from the cage, returning in March 2024 and taking home a unanimous decision win.
Much like Al Hussaini, Al Housani also made a quick start to his professional career, when he debuted in 2020. After opening his professional account at UAE Warriors 11 and winning with a first round rear naked choke, he was back in action on their very next card 6 weeks later when he stopped Mohamed Arshaq Ali in the first round with leg kicks followed up by punches. In his only outing of 2021, Al Housani suffered his first defeat when he suffered an injury early in the second round of his contest against Faris Asha.
After a 22 month hiatus, he returned to the cage at Centurion FC in January 2023, where he picked up yet another first round submission win. It would be 14 months before be would compete again, when he faced Bouzamrain Abderahim and earned a unanimous decision win to once again find himself on a two fight win streak.
Both men are set to make their promotional debuts on the inaugural PFL MENA card, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 10.
PFL MENA will look to play home to Middle Eastern and North African fighters and will play out in the same format as their US and European Seasons.
