Mohammad Alaqraa outworks his competition to lock up last Welterweight Tournament Semifinals spot

Omar Hussein is a Shishani Fighting Systems fighter, who trains alongside PFL MENA featherweight Abdelrahman Alhyasat. Hussein has scored 11 victories as a pro, with six of them coming by way of finish. The Palestine-born fighter was submitted by Aleksandr Chizov in his PFL debut in 2022 but has since gone 2-2, including a win over Seth Rosario in his most recent bout in May 2024.

Mohammad Alaqraa is a judo black belt and former IBJJF National Jiu-Jitsu Champion. The American Kickboxing Academy product has scored seven victories in MMA, including three finishes. Alaqraa defeated Youcef Ouabbas and Amri Fazli in last year’s tournament but lost in the final against Omar El Dafrawy – Alaqraa’s first pro loss. Now, he’s back and hungry to take the PFL MENA title this year.

Who will move on to the PFL MENA Welterweight Tournament Semifinals?

Round 1

Alaqraa with a left hand. Body kick by Alaqraa, and Hussein responds. Alaqraa with a right hand, and he presses Hussein into the fence. Hussein defending Alaqraa’s takedown attempts. Alaqraa with a knee. Right underhook by Alaqraa. Shoulder shot into the chin of Hussein. Alaqraa gets Hussein off balance, but Hussein stays up. Alaqraa gets to Hussein’s back while standing. Alaqraa pressuring with his wrestling. Hussein throws and lands an elbow.

Battle for clinch control against the fence, and it ends with Alaqraa pressing Hussein once more. Hussein grabbed the fence to stay on the feet – but the referee did not stop the action. Alaqraa, fortunately for him, still scores a takedown. Alaqraa now to work in Hussein’s half guard. The fight returns to the feet. Spinning back fist and a back kick by Alaqraa. Hussein with a jab. Alaqraa with a one-two, followed by an overhand right. Alaqraa misses another spinning kick. Left hand by Hussein. Hussein misses a left body shot.

Round 2

Left hand from Hussein. Low kick from Hussein. Low kick from Hussein, and Alaqraa throws a left. Alaqraa lands a left and gets into the clinch again, pressing Hussein into the fence with a takedown attempt. Alaqraa throws a knee that lands low. Body kick by Alaqraa on the fight resumption. Hussein counters, but Alaqraa gets a body lock and presses Hussein again. Alaqraa with short shoulder strikes. Alaqraa with a left hand. Hussein gets Alaqraa off, and the fight goes back to the center. Right jab from Alaqraa. Another body lock, and this time it’s Hussein who lands a knee. Straights from Hussein. Left hand from Hussein. Hussein loses his balance; Alaqraa gets him down briefly, but Hussein gets back up. Alaqraa moves the action back to the fence.

Body shots from Alaqraa. Right hand from Alaqraa on the separation. Left hand by Alaqraa. And again. Low kick from Hussein, following an elbow. Front kick from Alaqraa. Body lock by Alaqraa, and he scores the takedown, finally putting Hussein on his back. Left hands from Alaqraa. Alaqraa looking to transition into better position, but Hussein locking things up in his full guard. Hussein throws some good elbows. Body shots from Alaqraa. Alaqraa gets back to his feet; Hussein throwing up his legs. Hussein keeping Alaqraa at bay from there on his back until the bell.

Round 3

Kick up high by Alaqraa. Clinch battle. Hussein landing body shots. Hussein now looking for a takedown. Alaqraa lands a couple of right hands, and he gets to the fence. Hussein now is the one pressing Alaqraa into the fence. Alaqraa lands to the body. Hussein continues to press. Body shots from Alaqraa. Alaqraa with a spinning back kick off the separation. Left jab from Alaqraa, just as Hussein throws his own. Another left hand from Alaqraa. One-two from Alaqraa. A couple of left hands to the body by Hussein. Left jab by Alaqraa.

Alaqraa throws a leg kick, but it’s blocked. Another low kick from Alaqraa. Right hand by Hussein. Left hand by Hussein. Hussein shoots in. He gets Alaqraa down halfway. Alaqraa lands some punches to the head. Hussein gets him down now, and he’s on Alaqraa’s back. Alaqraa gets back to his feet, but Hussein still has a hold of his back. Another takedown attempt, but Hussein can’t get Alaqraa off balance despite holding his back. Some punches to the head by Alaqraa. Alaqraa stuffs the takedown. More punching from Alaqraa. The fight ends back in the clinch position against the fence, with Alaqraa throwing strikes.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Mohammad Alaqraa def. Omar Hussein via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)