MMA – BAHRAIN’S mixed martial arts (MMA) star Hamza Kooheji will be entering the 2026 PFL Featherweight Tournament in his Professional Fighters League (PFL) Mena debut.
PFL Mena will officially kick off on May 8 with an event in Dhahran Expo, Khobar, Saudi Arabia, continuing its commitment to showcasing the very best MMA talent from across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena).
The third season of the tournament will feature the region’s best fighters in the featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions.
Kooheji is one of Bahrain’s most accomplished and recognised fighters. His inclusion is expected to draw strong support from neighboring Bahrain, reinforcing Khobar as a strategic host city capable of uniting fans from across the Gulf.
Saudi’s Ahmed Albrahim will also be on the card when he makes his long-awaited professional debut in a featured welterweight bout.
Headlining the season-opening card will be the return of Salah Eddine Hamli, the reigning 2025 PFL Mena lightweight champion, as he steps back into the cage looking to launch another dominant campaign. Hamli’s championship pedigree and growing fanbase make him a centerpiece of PFL Mena’s continued growth, and his return sets the tone for what promises to be the league’s most competitive season yet.
“We are committed to building PFL Mena where the passion for MMA is strongest,” said PFL Mena general manager Jerome Mazet. “Our desire is to be where the fans are, and that’s exactly why we selected Khobar to kick off PFL Mena’s third season.
“Between Salah’s return, Ahmed making his professional debut in front of his home crowd, and the opportunity to welcome Bahraini fans supporting Hamza, this event represents everything PFL MENA stands for: regional pride, elite competition, and unforgettable moments.”
Tickets for the event are now on sale on Platinumlist.
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