Florim Zendeli overcomes nasty cut to control action and score decision win

Omar El Dafrawy is a proud Egyptian fighter who was a regional MMA champion before making his way to the PFL. Last year, in the inaugural PFL MENA season, El Dafrawy ran through Anthony Zeidan, Jarrah Al-Selawe, and Mohammad Alaqraa to become the inaugural PFL MENA Welterweight Champion. He then competed in a showcase bout in PFL MENA this past July, needing just 75 seconds to submit Daniele Miceli.

Known for aggressive wrestling and pressure, Florim Zendeli has also shown a willingness to stand and trade. A regional MMA champion himself, Zendeli is 10-1-1 in MMA, including nine wins via a finish. Zendeli defeated Tomasz Langowski, Jack Grant, and Miceli last year to capture the 2024 PFL Europe Welterweight Title.

Who will win this showdown of former PFL regional welterweight champs?

Round 1

Low kick by Zendeli. High kick by El Dafrawy. Side kick by El Dafrawy. Low kick by Zendeli. Clash of kicks. Zendeli goes for a takedown, but El Dafrawy stops it and lands a knee. Uppercut by Zendeli. Left hand by Zendeli. Low kick by El Dafrawy. High kick by Zendeli. Combination by El Dafrawy. Zendeli lands a check hook. El Dafrawy with a high kick. El Dafrawy with an underhook as a clinch battle ensues, going over to the fence. Zendeli with an outside trip to score a takedown.

El Dafrawy works back to the feet, and the two swing. Zendeli shoots from a distance, and we are back against the fence. El Dafrawy with a knee up in Zendeli’s ribs before the separation. El Dafrawy with a couple of body kicks. One-two by El Dafrawy. El Dafrawy with a body lock, but El Dafrawy opens up a cut on the head of Zendeli on the separation. Zendeli with another takedown attempt, but El Dafrawy with a sprawl. Clinch battle and Zendeli scores another takedown via outside trip. Zendeli tries to be busy on top, trying to work around the guard of El Dafrawy. Now he’s working inside the guard.

Keeping the cutman busy 😱 Round 2 between Omar El Dafrawy and Florim Zendeli starts NOW!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/svQfJOK7FK

— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 3, 2025

Round 2

The two look to exchange early, but we get a time out due to El Dafrawy getting hit with a cup check. The fight resumes after a few minutes. Low kick and a one-two by El Dafrawy. Level change by Zendeli, and he gets it easily. Zendeli gets to the back, but he rides too high. El Dafrawy tries to get his striking going again, but Zendeli pins him against the fence. Another takedown for Zendeli. Zendeli doing some work from up top in the guard of El Dafrawy, trying to apply pressure. Zendeli might be looking for an opening to get a choke. Zendeli’s pressure continues with a couple of left hands and elbows.

Zendeli continues with his pressure, but his cut is really bleeding at this point. Zendeli with top pressure. El Dafrawy looks to reverse and get the back, but now he rides too high. Zendeli gets right back to the back. He looks for another choke attempt. Zendeli gets the hooks in. He’s pretty much in solid control here. He doesn’t get the finish, however.

Round 3

Small side kick from El Dafrawy. Round kick to the body by Zendeli. Low kick by Zendeli. Duck under by Zendeli, and he presses El Dafrawy into the fence. Zendeli presses El Dafrawy into the fence. Zendeli with a level change, and he grabs a leg before scoring an easy takedown. Zendeli does some work before El Dafrawy escapes. El Dafrawy lands a left hand. And another. He tries to initiate a trip. He avoids a takedown attempt from Zendeli. Zendeli presses El Dafrawy into the fence again. Zendeli with a throw attempt, but El Dafrawy ends up in full mount!

Big elbows by El Dafrawy. El Dafrawy goes for the back, but he rides high again, and Zendeli rolls through back into top control. Zendeli gets back to the back and searches for the takedown again. Zendeli continues to bring pressure. Zendeli on the back again. It seems like Zendeli is going for the Suloev Stretch here. He doesn’t get the tapout, but Zendeli controls the action here as the fight ends.

OFFICIAL RESULT

2024 PFL Europe Welterweight Champion Florim Zendeli defeats 2024 PFL MENA Welterweight Champion Omar El Dafrawy by unanimous decision (29-28x3) in a Welterweight Showcase Bout.