Badreddine Diani Earns Split Decision To Secure Finals Spot

After missing last year’s Semifinals due to injury, Badreddine Diani is ready for another opportunity to reach a PFL MENA title fight. A nine-time Combat Sambo champion in Africa, Diani has scored finishes in five of his nine victories in MMA so far. Diani scored a decision win over Ahmed Abdelbast in their first-round matchup back in July.

Amir Fazli’s expertise comes in the world of Wushu Sanda, having won titles on the Asian and world levels while also being the only one in the discipline to defeat Muslim Salikhov. Six of seven victories for the former regional MMA champion have come via a finish. Fazli finally scored his first PFL MENA win during the opening round, scoring a second-round KO of Rostem Akman.

Diani defeated Fazli during the First Round of last year’s PFL MENA tournament. Now, will it be repeat or revenge as they determine who will go on to compete for this year’s PFL MENA welterweight title?

Round 1

Diani on the outside, landing a jab. Body shot by Fazli. Low kick misses for Fazli. Jab from Fazli is blocked. Diani misses a big right hand. Low kick by Fazli. Left hand from Fazli. Low kick by Diani. Left hand, followed by a right from Fazli. Diani with a left hand. The referee is calling for more activity from both fighters. Jab to the body by Diani. Left jab misses for Diani. Low kick by Fazli.

Fazli is staying in a low stance. He throws a right hand but misses. Left hand from Diani. The referee calls for action again as the two whiff on jabs. Low kick by Fazli. Left hand from Diani lands. Diani flashes the right hand. Diani presses and pushes Fazli into the fence on a level change. Diani lands an accidental low blow against the fence. After a brief time-out, the fighters are back in the center. Fazli misses a right hand. Low kick by Diani. Fazli throws an uppercut. Both men miss on the right hand. Spinning heel kick missed by Fazli.

Round 2

Low kick from Diani. Low kick by Fazli. Another low kick by Diani. Right hand by Diani moving back. Jab from Diani. Right hand by Fazli, and he presses Diani into the fence. Diani reverses the position. Fazli tries to escape, but Diani keeps a hold on him as he tries to get the back. Diani briefly gets Fazli down. Fazli works his way out, landing a knee on the separation. Spinning back fist misses for Fazli. Fazli is trying to pressure Diani here.

A right hand by Fazli, and we’re against the fence again. A quick separation. Low kick by Diani. Fazli continues to pressure. Low front kick by Diani. Fazli presses Diani against the fence, and we got another control battle. Diani backs Fazli up on the separation. One-two from Fazli. Diani with a level change, and he gets Fazli down briefly, but Fazli right back to his feet. Fazli turns the position in the clinch and lands a couple of knees. Inside shots from both men against the fence. Diani scores a judo throw, but Fazli is right back to his feet.

Round 3

Forward pressure by Fazli. Diani walking around the outside. Fazli cutting off the cage. Diani with a stiff jab. Fazli with a left jab. Low kick by Fazli. Both men connect with a punch. Diani flashes the left jab. Low kick by Fazli. Low kick by Diani. Left hand lands for Diani, and Fazli responds in kind. Fazli pressures Diani toward the fence and lands a low kick. Low kick for Diani now. Right hand by Fazli. Jab by Diani.

Jab by Diani and a low kick from Fazli. Not much urgency being shown in this last round. Low kick by Fazli doesn’t connect. Another low kick by Fazli. Fazli presses him to the fence again, but Diani gets a judo throw and gets Fazli down. Diani landing punches to the head in side control. Diani going for an arm triangle. Fazli defends by adjusting the position. Diani briefly goes North-South and goes for a choke, but Fazli fights it off again. Diani goes for another choke as he tries to work in side control again. Diani gets a crucifix, but Fazli gets to his knees. Diani takes the back, but Fazli reverses the position and ends the round on top.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Badreddine Diani def. Amir Fazli via split decision (27-30, 29-28 x2) in a Welterweight Semifinal Bout.