Malik Basahel rains down pressure to score first-round finish

Malik Basahel has had a decorated run in combat sports, having picked up multiple championships in both jiu-jitsu and kickboxing in his native Saudi Arabia. He then found success in amateur MMA with an IMMAF Asia Gold Medal and World Silver Medal, as well as an amateur flyweight title in the UK. Basahel is 2-0 as a pro, having scored second-round finishes of Mountassir Boutouta and Ahmed Mostafa in PFL MENA earlier this year.

Mahmoud Atef is a two-time Wushu Sanda world champion. Atef enters this bout with a 5-3 (1 NC) record. Atef fought at the first PFL Africa card this past summer, losing to Nkosi Ndebele.

Who will be victorious in this flyweight showcase?

Round 1

Low kick by Atef. Front kick by Atef, which Basahel backs away from. Low kick by Atef. Body jab and a low kick by Atef. Basahel goes after the leg, and he gets Atef down in spite of his attempts to get away. Basahel tries to create space with a slam. Basahel is trying to work in the guard of Atef, who has a body triangle in. Basahel with some body shots as he looks for space. Basahel trying to land some short shots.

Basahel works his way into side control. Basahel works a knee onto the body of Atef. Basahel gets into full mount! Atef turns over and gives up his back. Big right hands from Basahel landing! A flurry of these shots, and it’s over!

Saudi Arabia's own Malik Basahel continues to impress!

He improves to 3-0 inside the PFL Cage after a first round TKO finish over Mahmoud Atef!@PFLMENA Finals LIVE NOW on the PFL App | 8p ET on @VICETV pic.twitter.com/9x6sH12I6V

— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 5, 2025

Malik Basahel with another big outing; 3-0 in the PFL SmartCage, 3-0 in his home country!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Malik Basahel def. Mahmoud Atef via first-round TKO (3:13)