Souhil Tairi lets his strikes go and scores second-round TKO & semifinal spot

Abdullah Saleem has been accomplished in various combat disciplines. Saleem has been a WBC Kuwait Muay Thai champion, a North American WAKO Kickboxing Championships Silver Medalist and a member of the Kuwait National Wrestling team. Having five finishes in five fights to his name already, including four first-round submissions, Saleem fought in PFL MENA last July against Omar Reguigui. Saleem originally won the fight but the contest was later overturned to a No Contest.

Souhil Tairi is known for his striking, showcasing his pressure in MMA fights with all six of his wins coming via a finish. An amateur boxer and former regional lightweight title challenger, Tairi has three wins via KO/TKO and three via submission. The Marseille Fight Club product competed in PFL MENA last year, defeating Ahmed Amir but losing to Mohsen Mohammadseifi. He also fought at the Champions Series event this past January, losing to John Mitchell.

Who will pick up a win in this first bout in the PFL MENA Lightweight Tournament?

Round 1

Low kick from Saleem. Low kick from Tairi. Another low kick from Saleem. The two are just feeling each other out. Saleem moving around the outside of the SmartCage. High kick from Saleem. Tairi throws a high kick. Right hand from Saleem coming in, but he loses his balance. Saleem now gets a body lock and brings Tairi to the fence. Saleem gets Tairi down, and he quickly gets a hook in on Tairi’s back. Saleem threatening a choke. Saleem with some punches to the head from up top. Saleem still looking to get the other hook in.

Saleem now gets it in. Tairi warned to get his toes out of the cage. Saleem still doesn’t have the body triangle. Tairi warned again to get his toes out of the cage. Saleem isn’t threatening now, but he still has a solid lock of Tairi’s back. Saleem now off the back and in full guard. Tairi lands a couple of big elbows, but he’s warned for shots to back of the head. Saleem postures up and looks to rain down. Tairi lands an upkick though, and it catches Saleem’s attention. Saleem passes the guard and ends up back on top. Tairi warned once more for toes in the fence.Saleem looks for a leg lock before the bell. Tairi lands a kick on a grounded Saleem before the bell! A timeout will be called before the one-minute rest period!

Saleem is good to continue, but Tairi is deducted one point for an illegal kick to a grounded opponent.

Round 2

Low kick from Saleem. Saleem comes forward with the right hand but is caught by a left from Tairi. Front kick from Tairi. Jab by Tairi. Saleem misses a low kick. Tairi lands a big knee to the head! Saleem grabs a hold of him, and he presses Tairi against the fence with a body lock. Saleem level changes and looks for a takedown, but Tairi shoves him off. Tairi with a right hand on the break and a low kick. Saleem swings and brings Tairi into the clinch. Tairi with another knee and a right hand. Tairi attacks the midsection, but Saleem threatens a single-leg, as the fight returns to the fence. Tairi now on the outside. Left hands on the inside from Tairi. Tairi with a big right hand, and Saleem appears to be hurt. High kick from Tairi. Saleem level changes, but Tairi counters it. Tairi with a big couple of shots from up top, as the referee warns Saleem to fight back. Saleem gets Tairi away with his legs. Tairi drops back down. Tairi is still threatening. Tairi gets Saleem's back. Tairi continues to land, and the referee warns him to respond. Salem gets to his feet. Tairi with a knee. Saleem goes for a takedown but falls flat. Tairi lands a shot before the ref steps in and stops the fight! Saleem doesn’t like it, but Tairi was getting the better of him in that round.

Despite clearly losing the first round and getting the point deduction, Souhil Tairi bounces back to score the finish!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Souhil Tairi defeats Abdullah Saleem by 2nd round TKO (3:20) in a PFL MENA Lightweight Tournament fight, advancing to the semifinals, where he’ll face the winner of Salah Eddine Hamli vs. Abbas Khan.

Tairi moves his career record to 8-6-1 with his 4th career knockout

Tairi represents Algeria and trains at Marseille Fight Club in France

Tairi lost in the semifinals of last year’s PFL MENA tournament to eventual champion Mohsen Mohammadseifi