Islam Youssef wins back-and-forth battle to go from planned alternate to PFL MENA Finalist

A black belt in both judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Xavier Alaoui went 11-1 as an amateur, with three championship victories, before turning pro. Alaoui, who trains at Tristar Gym, is 8-0 as a pro thus far, with four finishes and a pair of regional bantamweight titles to his credit. Alaoui scored a decision over Ziad Ayman in their First Round matchup in July.

Islam Youssef is a former regional bantamweight champion himself, coming into tonight with a five-fight win streak and five finishes. Youssef received a major opportunity in July, being called on just days’ notice to compete in the bantamweight tournament. He delivered in his short-notice PFL debut, landing a flying kick to knock out Benyamin Ghahreman in highlight fashion.

Who will go on to face Nawras Abzakh for this year’s PFL MENA Bantamweight Title?

Round 1

Alaoui flashes the jab. Low kick by Youssef. Youssef flashes a right jab. Alaoui with a left jab. Low kick by Youssef. Youssef with a pair of jabs. Alaoui goes in with a one-two, but Youssef catches him with a takedown. Youssef has a hold of the legs. Alaoui has a hold of the neck as he reverses the position, getting a front headlock on him. The fight gets back to the feet, and Youssef pressures Alaoui back to the fence right away.

Youssef with a couple of low knees to the legs. A clinch battle briefly, and Alaoui lands a left hand on the break. Youssef coming forward with some more pressure. A couple of straights from Alaoui, but Youssef grabs a hold of him, putting Alaoui up against the fence. Low kicks from Youssef as he pumps out the left jab. A couple of one-twos from both men. Left hand lands for Youssef, but Alaoui lands a counter. Low kick by Alaoui. Alaoui with a level change. Youssef with a couple of knees to the body. Youssef with a low kick. Alaoui throws a front kick, but it’s caught. Youssef chases the takedown and lands a left hand before the bell.

Round 2

Body kick by Youssef. Alaoui flashes the right hand. Left hand by Alaoui. Right hand by Alaoui. Alaoui presses Youssef to the fence. Left hand from Youssef is blocked. Youssef with a level change and he scores the takedown, taking Alaoui’s back right away even as Alaoui gets to his feet. A separation, and Youssef connects a couple of combinations now. Alapui lands a right hand. Right hand by Youssef now.

Alaoui pushes forward with the right hand and he clinches, pressing Youssef up against the fence. Low knee to the legs by Alaoui. The referee calls for more action. A knee by Alaoui. And another. The ref brings the two back to the center with 80 seconds left in the round. Crisp exchanges from both men. Youssef with a level change and he scores the takedown. Alaoui reverses, however, grabbing a hold of Youssef’s neck. Youssef chasing a single-leg takedown again, but Alaoui keeps his balance and lands an uppercut for Youssef’s troubles. Right hand by Alaoui. Round kick to the body. Low kick and a right hand by Alaoui. A couple of front kicks from Alaoui.

Round 3

Alaoui flashes the left hand as he comes out with pressure. Alaoui level changes and makes Youssef miss on a right hand. Youssef, however, has him pressed against the fence now. A couple of low knees by Youssef. Alaoui reverses the position. Alaoui landing short right hands to the body in the clinch. Youssef tries to turn, but Alaoui level changes, looking for a takedown. Alaoui continues to work short shots and lands a knee up the middle before separation.

Right hand by Youssef. Youssef with an elbow and a high kick. Alaoui coming forward. Combination by Youssef. Youssef with a takedown attempt, but Alaoui stuffs it and gets a hold of another front headlock position. Alaoui tries to get his arms around the neck of Youssef as the ref calls for more action. Youssef trying to get back to his feet. The separation comes with just over a minute left in the fight. Some exchanging from both men now. Strong combination from Youssef. Youssef lands to the body. Youssef with a little forward pressure before he grabs a leg, looking for another takedown. Alaoui is warned for grabbing Youssef’s shorts, and he lands elbows against the fence before the bell.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Islam Youssef def. Xavier Alaoui via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) in a Bantamweight Semifinal Bout.