Ahmed Amir is a seasoned veteran of 17 fights thus far, known for his finishing ability, with 9 of his 12 victories coming via a finish. “The Butcher” has made a name for himself in the region, being a former lightweight champion. Amir will look to rebound from his PFL debut in April 2023, losing to Bruno Miranda.

 

A striking specialist, Souhil Tahiri has also made his fair share of an impact throughout his career thus far. All six of Tahiri’s wins have come via KO/TKO or submission, four coming in the first round. A former regional title challenger, Tahiri has won two of his last three fights, most recently stopping Mohamed Elawil in January.

 

Which of these two will move on to the lightweight semifinals?

 

 

Round 1

 

Amir with a left hand. One-two from Tahiri rocks Amir, crumpling him! Tahiri looking for an arm-in guillotine! It looks tight! Amir is able to get his head out! Amir looking to land to the head. Tahiri landing hooks to the head from the bottom. Both men throw punches, trading on the ground. The referee calls for more action. Tahiri wraps Amir up in his guard. The referee stands the two up as the round reaches the halfway point.

 

One-two from Amir. Tahiri throws a right hand. Tahiri takes the back and is looking for another submission. Heavy strikes, and now Tahiri is looking to get the hooks in. Tahiri looks for an armbar but he cannot lock it in. Tahiri looks for a triangle! His legs are around the neck and he lands a few hammerfists. Amir escapes it and presses Tahiri into the fence. The two land inside. Amir looks to grab a leg, but Tahiri gets on top and looks for the submission again. Tahiri aims for a triangle choke. Amir lands a few shots from the top.

 

 

Round 2

 

Amir looks for a one-two. Amir looks to shoot in again, but Tahiri easily stops it. Tahiri gets to Amir’s back and looks for the neck. He rolls off, however, and Amir tries to press Tahiri to the fence. Front kick by Tahiri, but it misses. Amir misses a left hook. Tahiri lands inside with a knee. Tahiri cracks Amir on the chin. Tahiri looking to lock up a reverse triangle choke! Amir escapes and he’s able to get on top. Amir appears to be busted open from the nose. Amir looking to create space from half-guard.

 

Amir lands a couple of strikes to the head. Amir not doing much to work the position. Tahiri lands a couple of hooks. Both men landing a couple of strikes. Amir landing a couple of more strikes. Tahiri sits himself up and looks for another guillotine. Amir escapes, and Tahiri hits him with a knee to the head. Problem: Was Amir’s right knee still on the ground? Amir will continue, but the knee is deemed illegal. Tahiri will be deducted one point. The fight resumes. Amir lands a couple of low kicks but loses balance. Tahiri with a leg kick of his own. One-two by Tahiri drops Amir. Amir, however, gets a takedown before the horn.

 

 

Round 3

 

Amir misses a low kick. Neither man with much in the first minute of this final round. Both flash the left hand but aren’t really throwing it. Amir with a fake takedown attempt. One-two from Tahiri. Both men may be tired after the first two rounds. Low kick from Tahiri. Neither man is willing to start the engagement. Left hand from Tahiri.

 

Amir fakes a takedown and lands a right hand. Tahiri with another leg kick. Front kick from Amir is blocked. Left hand from Tahiri gets Amir off balance briefly. Amir presses Tahiri to the fence and looks for a takedown. Amir continues to press for the takedown. Amir continuing to push, but Tahiri continues to defend using underhooks. Amir finally scores the takedown with about 40 seconds left. Tahiri looks for a guillotine, however. Amir pops his head out. Tahiri lands a combination from the bottom. A couple of shots from Amir on top. Both men land a couple of shots before the final horn.

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Souhil Tahiri defeats Ahmed Amir by unanimous decision (29-27x3) in a PFL MENA Lightweight Regular Season bout, earning his place in the 2024 PFL MENA Playoffs. He’ll face the winner of Josh Togo vs. Mohsen Mohammadseifi.

  • Tahiri moves his career record to 7-4-1
  • Tahiri represents Algeria and fights out of Marseille, France