Malik Basahel brings pressure, takedowns to help secure first professional win

After a long and highly successful run on the amateur circuit, Malik Basahel makes his professional MMA debut tonight. A three-time amateur flyweight champion and a 2023 IMMAF silver medalist, Basahel’s amateur run finishes at 21-3-1, with 13 stoppages. Basahel, who is 3-0 in three amateur fights he had with the PFL, saw a six-fight win streak snapped at the hands of Rudy Johnson back in November.

Mountasser Boutouta is a grappling expert, highlighted by his Algerian Brazilian jiu-jitsu championship, Algerian ADCC championship and his national grappling championship. Boutouta makes his second professional walk tonight. He made his pro debut back in June, scoring a second-round submission of M’hammed Kecili.

Will it be a successful pro debut for Basahel? Or will Boutouta move to 2-0 as a pro himself?

Round 1

The two feeling each other out, showing their speed. Basahel with a jab. Boutouta answers back. Basahel sneaking forward. Boutouta misses the left. Right hand by Basahel catches Boutouta coming forward. Left hand and a takedown by Basahel, and he gets right on top in side control. Basahel pressuring. Boutouta trying to grab a hold of the legs, but Basahel keeps him down. Boutouta works his way back to his feet, but not without Basahel landing a shot as he does. Big right thrown by Boutouta, and Basahel changes levels, scoring another takedown.

Basahel tries to work, but Boutouta is able to make his way back to his feet after about 30 seconds. Basahel continuing to pressure, and Boutouta’s got his back just about to the fence. Boutouta flashes a left. Bashael throws a left. Basahel lands to the body. Basahel shows his right. Kick from Basahel, but Boutouta grabs it and goes for a takedown. Basahel stops it, but Boutouta briefly threatens with a head lock. Clinch battle, and Boutouta gets Basahel pinned to the fence.

Round 2

Basahel throws a left to the body. Basahel with a big right hand. Boutouta comes forward. Big knee from Basahel. Basahel takes the fight to the ground, and he lands some ground-and-pound. Boutouta with a scramble. Basahel with a hammerfist. Basahel up top, working around Boutouta’s guard and upkick attempt. Basahel gets right back down on top. Fight returns to the feet. Left hand and a knee from Basahel. Basahel continues to press and we get a clinch battle. Back to the ground with Basahel on top. Ground-and-pound from Basahel, and the fight will end up stopped!

Malik Basahel with a beautiful performance.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Malik Basahel defeats Mountasser Boutouta by 2nd round TKO (2:32) in a flyweight showcase fight.

Basahel wins his pro debut, moving his record to 1-0

Basahel had a 21-3-1 amateur record

Basahel fights out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and is 23 years old

Basahel was a 3x amateur flyweight champion