Tariq Ismail is a very technical striker, who has shown an ability to endure and compete for a full 15 minutes in the cage. Ismail, a product of Bazooka Kickboxing & MMA, is 8-1 and has won back-to-back fights since his first pro loss. Ismail made his PFL debut at the PFL MENA event in May, defeating Jalal Al Daja.

 

Taha Bendaoud is also a striking specialist, and after dropping his amateur debut, he hasn’t lost a fight in MMA since. Bendaoud, a product of Thai Long Muay Thai, is 3-0 since turning pro in late 2022. This is his first fight since May 2023, when he scored a split decision over Younes Chemali.

 

Who will come out on top in this showcase bout that kicks off the action on the preliminary card?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Ismail to start. Ismail pressures and gets Bendaoud to the fence. Ismail scored a takedown, and Bendaoud gets up a rubber guard almost immediately. Ismail trying to fight against the leg and looks for an Omoplata. He doesn’t get it, but Ismail gets on top and into side control. Ismail looks to crucifix his opponent, but Bendaoud is able to recover. Ismail, however, keeping on Bendaoud. Bendaoud uses his flexibility to try for an inverted triangle choke.

 

Ismail is able to get out of the submission attempt from the bottom. Bendaoud wraps his arms around Ismail and looks to create a base to get back to his feet. Ismail stops that, however, and it’s right back to top pressure. Ismail gets in full mount, but Bendaoud looks to answer with a leg lock. Ismail transitions and starts to work over Bendaoud with the right hand, trapping his arm in the process. Bendaoud with a Peterson roll, but Ismail seems to have an answer for everything, trying to get to full mount. Ismail goes into side control and lands a strong elbow. Ismail finishes the round on top.

 

 

Round 2

 

After a brief exchange, Ismail ends up pressuring Bendaoud up against the fence again and scores another early takedown. Ismail trying to keep this fight on the mat. Bendaoud tries to use his legs to walk the fence to get back up, but Ismail keeps the top pressure on. Ismail starts to land from up top, and it appears to be troubling Bendaoud. The referee warned Bendaoud. Ismail backs off a second but gets back to pressuring Bendaoud. Ismail being careful, trying to work around Bendaoud’s guard. Every time Bendaoud tries to grab a leg or defend in some other way, Ismail is able to work past it.

 

Ismail gets into full mount and lays in with ground-and-pound. Bendaoud tries for a desperate leg lock, but Ismail avoids it. Ismail continues to pound away. Suddenly, Bendaoud throws up his legs and he’s got a triangle armbar! Ismail is trapped! Ismail taps out! WOW!!!

 

 

What a comeback performance from Taha Bendaoud to stay undefeated! What a way to kick the card off!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Taha Bendaoud def. Tariq Ismail via second-round submission (triangle armbar, 3:51)