Islam Reda scores first career TKO finish, locks up semifinal matchup

Islam Reda is a grappling expert, emphasized by his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and his eight National Brazilian jiu-jitsu championships in his native Egypt. Reda comes into this fight on a six-fight win streak and with eight submissions to his name. He last fought at the PFL MENA event last September, scoring a decision over Maraoune Bellagouit.

Akram Nasri scores a huge opportunity in his PFL debut tonight, competing as an injury fill-in for last year’s PFL MENA Featherweight Champion, Abdullah Al Qahtani. Nasri was pinned by Algerian MMA media last year as the best featherweight in the country, which can be backed up by his three submission wins in three fights, as well as his national championships in both kickboxing and grappling. Reda, who only turned pro in 2023, last fought in June, submitting Islem Laaziz.

Which of these two will be the first to advance in this year’s PFL MENA Featherweight Tournament?

Round 1

Reda throwing the left hand. Spinning back kick by Nasri. Low kicks from both men, but Nasri’s is a spin kick that lands. Reda comes forward, but Nasri defends the takedown attempt. Low kick from Reda. Spinning kick from Nasri misses. Reda flashing the left before another takedown attempt. Nasri controls the head as the fight moves to the fence. There’s a scramble to get back to the feet, but Nasri has control of the head and neck of Reda again. Nasri gets some shots in before letting Reda go. Spinning kick to the head by Nasri. Reda misses a series of lefts, and Nasri clinches him. Reda with a knee to the body.

Left hands from both men. Left hands from Nasri and a low kick from Reda. Reda goes for the takedown, picking Nasri up and slamming him down. Nasri holding onto the neck again as Reda looks to pass. Nasri with some strikes. Reda controlling the hips and keeping Nasri down. Reda now in headlock position, looking for a standing D’Arce, but Nasri defends it. Nasri landing some knees in the clinch. Reda looks for an inside trip, but Nasri denies him. Reda with another takedown, ending up on top again. Reda with an elbow. Nasri is looking for a submission. Nasri uses his guard to defend. Reda looks for a guillotine, but the bell rings.

Round 2

Low kick from Reda. Spinning kick flashed again by Nasri. Reda trying to push. Left hand and a low kick from Reda. Another spinning kick from Nasri. Low kick from Nasri. Left hand from Reda. Left hand from Nasri. Spinning kick by Nasri. Another one, this one going to the body. Both men with a low kick. Reda goes for a takedown, but Nasri defends it. Nasri with a headlock on. Reda drops and gets Nasri on his back. But Nasri holds onto the neck! Guillotine choke is in! Reda gets by the legs and into guard, escaping the choke! Reda trying to get a leg out of the guard. The Kimura attempt doesn’t last. Nasri gets back to his feet, but Reda presses him back to the fence briefly.

Back standing and separated now. Both men land jabs. Nasri misses a spinning back kick, and Reda perfectly times a level change to score a takedown. Reda with a left hand, as Nasri looks to continue using the guard. Reda transitions into full mount with 90 seconds remaining. Reda continues to try and work, now ending up in side control. Back standing in the clinch, Nasri with a knee. Reda working combinations upon the separation. Left hand from Nasri catches Reda’s attention. Left hand by Reda and a low kick from Nasri. Spinning kick to the head and a side kick from Nasri miss.

Round 3

Low kick from Reda. Left hand from Nasri. Low kick from Reda. Left hand from Reda. Spinning kick misses for Nasri. Reda goes in for a takedown, but Nasri sprawls. Nasri looks for the back, but Reda reverses the position. Reda continues with the shoulder pressure. Reda hooking a leg as he and Nasri battle in side control. Reda works his way into full mount, but Nasri quickly reverses back into the half guard.

Reda gets the head and looks for a D’Arce choke, but Nasri counters and gets back to his feet. Reda, however, quickly brings it back down with another takedown. Reda looks for another kimura attempt, but Nasri defends it. Reda hooks the leg again. Left hand by Reda. Reda with a couple of punches up top from half-guard. Reda with another left hand. Reda trying to lock down the legs. A few more right hands from Reda. Reda works his way into full mount once more, and he’s raining down some ground-and-pound! Reda keeps up the pressure, and the stoppage with less than 30 seconds left!

Islam Reda finishes it and moves to the semis!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Islam Reda defeats Akram Nasri by 3rd round TKO (4:33) in a PFL MENA Featherweight Tournament fight, advancing to the semifinals, where he’ll face the winner of Taha Bendaoud vs. Boualem Drissi.

Reda moves his career record to 13-1 with his 1st career knockout and 9th career finish

Reda is now on a 7-fight winning streak

Reda is an 8x Egypt National BJJ Champion