Salah Eddine Hamli wins Semifinal with arm-triangle choke

Salah Eddine Hamli was a successful amateur athlete, picking up a number of amateur boxing titles in Spain, as well as going 4-1 in amateur MMA. Hamli is now 9-0 as a pro, which includes six wins via a finish. Hamli scored a third-round submission of Abbas Khan in May to reach tonight’s Semifinals.

Souhil Tairi is an amateur boxer and former regional lightweight title challenger, crafting those experiences to become a dangerous striker. After coming up short in PFL MENA last year, Tairi has capturing gold on his mind. That journey started in May with a second-round finish of Abdullah Saleem, scoring his first victory in his PFL tenure.

Which of these two will be the first to reach the lightweight finals?

Round 1

Hamli goes for a takedown right away and gets it. Tairi lands some elbows from the bottom. Tairi with a triangle choke attempt. Hamli trying to pass through. Tairi now going for an armbar, but Hamli escapes and gets into side control. Hamli is now going for a kimura attempt. He doesn’t get that, but Hamli transitions into a D’Arce choke attempt, but Tairi defends that as well. Hamli working in side control now, landing with the right hand. Hamli is working and grinding with a strong top position.

Tairi scrambles and tries to get back to his feet, but Hamli executes a mat return. Hamli hooks one of Tairi’s legs, and Hamli is searching for the back and the choke. Hamli is now on top again and looking for a kimura against the fence. The grip is tight, but he doesn’t have the position. Hamli tries to adjust his hips and the position, but Tairi gets his arm out. Hamli now presses Tairi into the fence, and he scores another takedown. Tairi gets his legs around an arm, but Hamli avoids an armbar attempt. Keylock attempt by Hamli.

Round 2

Hamli tries for another takedown early, but Tairi tries to counter with a front choke. Hamli gets Tairi on his back again, and he stacks Tairi up against the fence. Hamli now in side control again. Hamli stacking Tairi up again. Hamli gets around the legs and gets back into side control. Tairi warned for his toes in the fence. Hamli transitions and threatens a D’Arce choke. Tairi escapes and gets to his feet, but Hamli has him pinned against the fence. Hamli takes him down briefly again.

Hamli takes Tairi down again with some strength. Hamli appears to be in full mount, with Tairi seated up against the fence. The ref calls for more action. Hamli keeps control of the grappling on the ground, staying in a strong mount position. Hamli now in side control, keeping Tairi on his back and limiting the amount of offense he can do. Tairi tries to roll and escape, but Hamli is still all over him.

Round 3

The two hug in the center. Hamli flashes the jab. Low kick by Tairi. Hamli shoots in again and scores another takedown. Tairi nearly works his way to his feet, but Hamli grabs a leg and brings him back down. Hamli lands some right hands from up top. Tairi tries to use butterfly guard, but Hamli stops that. Hamli working for an arm-triangle choke. And he gets it!

It wasn’t quick, but it was an easy night in the office for Salah Eddine Hamli, as he clinches a spot in this year’s PFL MENA lightweight title fight!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Salah Eddine Hamli def. Souhil Tairi via submission (arm-triangle choke) (R3, 1:30) in a Lightweight Semifinal Bout.