Eman Almudhaf battles back from being finished to score split-decision win

Eman Almudhaf has racked up four finishes in her four pro fights already. Since her debut in 2021, Almudhaf, who fights out of Great Britain Top Team, has scored three knockouts and a submission. Now, she gets her first chance on a big stage with her PFL debut tonight. Her last fight came in January 2024, scoring a first-round TKO of Rajabo Hagrid.

Shamara Braga is a multiple time champion in both Muay Thai and kickboxing. Debuting in professional MMA back in 2019, she’s scored five victories, including one of them coming via submission. She’s coming off back-to-back wins, with her most recent bout being a decision win over Lynne Lessou this past January.

Which of these two will score a victory in their first PFL appearance?

Round 1

The two exchange early. Almudhaf closing the distance and throwing the low kick. Almudhaf with forward pressure. One-two from Braga. Both women swing. Low kick from Almudhaf. A combination from Braga. Almudhaf pressures Braga to the fence, but Braga moves away. Almudhaf getting the better of her in the clinch. Almudhaf brings her to the fence. More knees from Braga. Almudhaf with a knee in response. The two trade knees again. Right hand from Almudhaf. Braga with a knee. The two trading knees. Braga relentless with knees, and they appear to be troubling Almudhaf.

Almudhaf gets out of the clinch and she level changes to stop the knees. Braga fights it off. Almudhaf pressing Braga into the fence. Braga gets off the fence, and she fires off the knees again! The ref warns Almudhaf to fight back. Almudhaf manages to press her into the fence again. Braga with more knees. Braga with a few shots to the body. Almudhaf goes for a takedown, but Braga gets behind her and gets to her back standing. Braga spins Almudhaf around and lands a few more knees. Almudhaf presses Braga into the fence once more. More hard knees from Braga. Combination to the body from Braga. Almudhaf with some punches and an elbow. More knees in the clinch from Braga. A combination of short strikes to the body from Braga before the end of the round.

Round 2

Almudhaf doesn’t get all of a high kick as she comes forward. Jab from Almudhaf. Right hand from Almudhaf. Almudhaf working combinations. Left hands from both. Right hand from Almudhaf. Low kick from Almudhaf. She’s getting things going with her striking. Low kick from Braga, and Almudhaf responds in kind. Almudhaf misses an overhand right. Right hand from Almudhaf. Low kick from Braga. Low kick from Almudhaf. Left hand from Almudhaf. One-two from Almudhaf. Right hand from Braga. And again. High kick from Almudhaf is blocked. High kick is blocked again.

Right hand from Almudhaf. Left hand from Braga. Has Braga tired out? Low kick from Braga. Right hand from Braga, but it results in an eye poke. Back to action now. Braga with a big swing. Right hand from Almudhaf. Low kick by Braga. Left hands from Almudhaf. Low kick by Braga. Right hand by Almudhaf. Left hand by Almudhaf. Another right from Almudhaf. One-two from Braga. Low kick from Braga. High kick from Almudhaf. Almudhaf shoots in and presses Braga to the fence before scoring the takedown. Almudhaf might be looking for a choke? Almudhaf gets on top and lands some ground-and-pound before the end of the round.

Round 3

Low kick from Almudhaf. Almudhaf looks to get back to using the jab. Left hand by Almudhaf. Low kick and a right hand by Almudhaf. Almudhaf level changes and we get a battle against the SmartCage as Braga defends. Braga starting with the knees again. Almudhaf looks for a single-leg takedown but gets denied. Brief separation before Almudhaf presses Braga against the fence again. Referee calls for action. Short hands from Braga. Short knee to the legs by Almudhaf. Left hands from Braga.

Another call for action from the referee. Almudhaf has her hands locked, but Braga defends the takedown well. The referee separates the fighters and returns them to the center with just over two minutes left. Braga with a left hand. Strong right hand from Almudhaf. Both with a left jab. Braga with a left. Almudhaf with a left. Braga goes inside and presses Almudhaf against the fence. Braga lands knees. Almudhaf counters, however, with a takedown! Braga gets back to her feet. Braga’s knee attempts are being prevented by Almudhaf. Almudhaf continues to press, and Braga briefly gets a hold of her neck. The referee looking for action again. Right hands from Braga. Almudhaf scores the takedown with 10 seconds left.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Eman Almudhaf defeats Shamara Braga by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) in a women’s featherweight showcase bout.

Almudhaf moves her career record to 5-0

Almudhaf represents Kuwait and trains at Great Britain Top Team in London