Abdelrahman Alhyasat uses mix of striking and takedowns to score submission win in lightweight debut

Abdelrahman Alhyasat has found success in his young pro career since becoming a pro in 2023, going 5-0 while still searching for his first finish. Alhyasat, who has a background in Taekewondo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, defeated Ahmed Tarek and Abdullah Al-Qahtani last year to advance to the 2024 PFL MENA featherweight title bout, but he ended up not competing. Alhyasat was scheduled to take part in this year’s featherweight tournament but missed weight, prompting his move to lightweight.

Anthony Zeidan was a National Muay Thai champion in his native Lebanon, as well as a WMMAF freestyle wrestling silver medalist. He enters tonight 5-2, with three finishes. Zeidan lost to Omar El Dafrawy last year in PFL MENA but became the first to go the distance with the 2024 PFL MENA champion.

Which of these two will come out on top in this 155-pound showcase?

Round 1

High kick and a left hand from Zeidan. Low kick from Alhyasat. Zeidan level changes and shoots in, pinning Alhyasat against the fence. Alhyasat throws a series of punches. Zeidan with a knee. Alhyasat is the one who scores the takedown. Zeidan with full guard, trying to find an escape. Alhyasat does a little work, but the ref stands them up for inactivity.

Zeidan misses with a high kick. Front kick from Alhyasat. Alhyasat throws a high kick, but it’s blocked. Low kick from Zeidan. Alhyasat now throwing the kicks. He misses a spinning backfist, and Zeidan gets the body lock. Alhyasat with another takedown, however, and he tries to work with the ground-and-pound. Elbow from Alhyasat. Alhyasat flattens him on his back in half-guard. Hammerfists and short elbow from Alhyasat. Alhyasat is looking for full mount, while Zeidan looks to get up. A couple of more hammerfists from Alhyasat. A small flurry from Alhyasat. Alhyasat gets to his feet, while Zeidan looks for a leg lock. Alhyasat returns to the ground, throwing a couple of left hands before the bell.

Round 2

Front kick from Zeidan. Round kick by Alhyasat. Another kick from Alhyasat. One-two from Alhyasat. Zeidan with the counter that makes Alhyasat stumble ever so briefly. Low kicks from Alhyasat. Small combination from Alhyasat, followed by a flying knee and a takedown. Zeidan gets an arm around Alhyasat’s neck, but Alhyasat could be threatening Zeidan’s own neck. Alhyasat appears to be setting up an arm-triangle.

Alhyasat gets into side control and ends up finding Zeidan’s back. Alhyasat flattens Zeidan and throws a series of right hands! Alhyasat throws hammerfists while he tries to get the body triangle and find the choke. Alhyasat’s got it on the chin! Zeidan is slumping. He looks limp. He’s out!

Abdelrahman Alhyasat scores the submission in his lightweight debut and stays unbeaten!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Abdelrahman Alhyasat def. Anthony Zeidan via second-round submission (rear-naked choke)