Islam Reda wins the grappling exchanges, claims PFL MENA Featherweight Tournament Title

Islam Reda is a grappling specialist, evident by his black belt in the discipline, as well as his eight national Brazilian jiu-jitsu titles in his native Egypt. He enters tonight on a seven-fight win streak, with nine finishes in his 14 victories. The 14-1 Reda, after missing last year’s final due to injury, defeated Akram Nasri and Taha Benadoud to reach the final.

Yanis Ghemmouri, meanwhile, is a striker, holding a 15-0 record in kickboxing, where he’s been a French K-1 champion. His worldly MMA experience has led him to a 13-3 record, with seven finishes. After a bit of shakeup to this year’s bracket, Ghemmouri made his PFL debut with a win over Izzeddine Al Derbani in September to reach this title fight.

Who will be this year’s PFL MENA Featherweight Tournament Champion?

Round 1

High kick from Ghemmouri misses. Hand checking to start the fight otherwise. Reda comes forward but misses on a takedown attempt. Jab from Reda. Low kick by Reda. Ghemmouri misses the right hand. Reda flashes the left hand. Body kick by Reda, but Ghemmouri counters with a low kick. Low kick again by Ghemmouri. Low kicks from both men. Left hands by Reda. Reda catches the low kick and presses Ghemmouri into the fence.

The action moves back to the center. Reda misses an uppercut on the clinch separation. Low kick by Ghemmouri. Ghemmouri catches a kick and dumps Reda briefly. Ghemmouri pressures Reda into the fence now. Reda goes for a headlock, but Ghemmouri stops that. Reda with a knee to the body. We get a separation now. Ghemmouri misses a side kick. Ghemmouri is staying on the outside and looking to use leg kicks. Another battle for control against the fence. Back in the center, Ghemmouri lands a left. Another clinch and a twisting takedown attempt by Ghemmouri. Reda lands a jab before the horn.

Round 2

Ghemmouri quickly with a takedown off Reda’s body lock attempt. Ghemmouri goes for a headlock. Reda works his way back up. Reda’s legs appear to be a bit damaged. Another clinch. Reda with a knee while Ghemmouri misses a left hand. Another low kick by Ghemmouri. Reda looks for another head lock with the two against the fence. Reda gets him down, and the choke is locked in! Ghemmouri tries to scramble out of it, and he does! Now he’s on top in Reda’s guard. Reda goes for a triangle, but Ghemmouri stops that.

Reda tries to lock up the head again, but Ghemmouri lands a couple of left hands. Ghemmouri trying to pass the guard. Reda searches for one of Ghemmouri’s arms. Ghemmouri looks for side control, while Reda uses a deep half-guard sweep to get back to his feet. Ghemmouri still holds onto him, however. Knee by Reda. Ghemmouri lands some dirty boxing to the body. Reda with another knee in the center. Ghemmouri presses him to the fence again as he lands a couple of knees on Reda. Ghemmouri with another knee to the body. Reda with a headlock and a D'Arce choke! Ghemmouri tries to spin out, and Reda looks to synch in and lock up Ghemmouri’s body. Ghemmouri taps out with less than 20 seconds left in the round!

https://x.com/PFLMMA/status/1996985413953523873?s=20

Islam Reda finally gets it done – he is the PFL MENA Featherweight Tourament Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Islam “The Egyptian Zombie” Reda defeats Yanis Ghemmouri by 2nd round submission (D'Arce Choke, 4:46) to win the 2025 PFL MENA Featherweight Tournament Title.