Professional Fighters League extends global reach with launch of PFL MENA after inaugural Riyadh event

RIYADH: Power Slap, in partnership with the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, is set to host its first event in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 30 at the anb Arena as part of Riyadh Season.

The focal point of Power Slap 11 will see reigning super heavyweight champion Da Crazy Hawaiian (16-1-1, 12 KOs) and No. 1 ranked super heavyweight Dumpling (1-0-1, 1 KO) face off in a rematch after they drew at Power Slap 9 in Abu Dhabi.

In the co-main event, light heavyweight champion Wolverine (14-5, 5 KOs) returns to defend his belt for the third time against rising contender Vern “The Mechanic” Cathey (5-2, 5 KOs).

Power Slap, founded by Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian in partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship, has grown in recent years to reach huge audiences around the world.

In just two years, with only 10 live events, Power Slap has gained 22 million social media followers and its content has garnered over 11.5 billion lifetime views across its platforms. Events regularly draw global influencers with more than a billion followers collectively.

Additional matches on the card include: 

• No. 2 ranked light heavyweight Russel “Kainoa” Rivero (4-3, 3 KOs) and No. 3 ranked light heavyweight Austin “Turp Daddy Slim” Turpin (5-2, 4 KOs) face off in a pivotal match.
• 2 ranked super heavyweight Kalani “Toko” Vakameilalo (2-1, 2 KOs) aims to defend his spot in the rankings against No. 3 ranked super heavyweight Danie “The Pitbull” Van Heerden (5-2, 4 KOs).
• The return of women’s featherweight star Sheena “The Hungarian Hurricane” Bathory (3-0, 2 KOs), in a highly anticipated grudge rematch against Jackie “The Hybrid” Cataline (1-2).

DUBAI: The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders clinched their second victory of the DP World ILT20 Season 3 on Sunday evening, defeating the Gulf Giants by 37 runs at a packed Dubai International Stadium.

Despite Aayan Afzal Khan’s four-wicket haul for just 16 runs — a new record for the best figures by a UAE player in DP World ILT20 history — the Knight Riders posted 176/9, buoyed by Michael Pepper’s half-century. Ibrar Ahmad, Jason Holder and Ali Khan each bagged two wickets to keep the Giants at bay. 

It was a tough outing for the Giants’ batters as they lost both openers in the powerplay. Adam Lyth was scalped by David Willey in the first over, while skipper James Vince, who looked in good form, miscued off Ibrar Ahmad for 14 runs in the fourth over. 

At 40/2 by the end of the powerplay, the Giants were falling well behind. The innings unraveled further as Jordan Cox departed for 10 runs and Ibrahim Zadran was bowled by Sunil Narine after he had worked hard for 24 runs in 22 balls. 

At the 10 over mark, the Giants were wobbling at 62/4. The onus was on Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer to steer another run chase, but it was not to be. Hetmyer had made 20 runs in 15 balls before he holed out to Narine off super sub Ali Khan. Holder then removed Erasmus after the Namibian had accumulated 24 runs in 23 balls to leave the score at 96/6 in 14.1 overs 

The target proved too high as Holder claimed his second wicket through Mark Adair for 19 runs as the Giants finished proceedings at 139/8.

In the first innings, an exciting powerplay for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders treated the fans to runs and wickets, finishing the phase at 60/2. Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous took the initiative, racing to 19 and 17 runs respectively, in 12 balls each. The assault was halted when Tymal Mills castled Kyle Mayers in the fourth over and Gous was caught behind off Wahidullah Zadran in the fifth over. 

Coming at number four, Pepper took flight early in the innings, creaming Adair for three consecutive boundaries. Pepper went on to log a 31-ball 50 including six fours and a six. Along with the support of Joe Clarke, the pair built a 50-run partnership in 33 balls. 

It looked like the Knight Riders were on track for a huge total until Aayan Afzal Khan turned the tide, returning enviable figures of 4 for 16 — the best figures for a UAE player in the DP World ILT20. (The previous record holder was Zuhaib Zuhair with 4 for 22 for Gulf Giants against Sharjah Warriors in 2024). 

Aayan opened his account when he cleaned up Clarke for 24 runs in the 11th over. He followed it up with the wickets of Alishan Sharafu, Andrew Russell and Narine, of whom only Russell made it to double figures with 12 runs. At the end of Aayan’s spell, the Knight Riders were at 131/6 in 15 overs.

In the death overs, Pepper was caught behind off Adair for 57 runs, while Laurie Evans, Holder and Willey made small contributions. Blessing Muzarabani snatched two wickets in Evans and Holder as the Knight Riders finished proceedings at 176/9. 

Named Player of the Match, Pepper said: “When I went in, when the ball was hard, it came on nicely. Not too much bounce in the wicket. Through the innings, it got slower and slower and started turning a little bit more. There is a lot of instinct that goes in, waiting for your areas and then going from there. We have a long batting order; everyone can hit it out of the ground, but it still must be the batters that score runs.”

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Narine said: “We were always thinking two steps ahead and there were more hands on deck. We could have gone closer to 200 after our start. Losing wickets in clusters denied us and that is something we can work on moving ahead. Our batting depth, it is a good problem. You have players batting down the order who might be playing higher otherwise. The guys are willing, and it is about them trying to make the best of whatever position they get.” 

Brief Scores

• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bt Gulf Giants by 37 runs 
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 176/9 in 20 overs (Michael Pepper 57, Joe Clarke 24, Kyle Mayers 19, Aayan Afzal Khan 4 for 16, Blessing Muzarabani 2 for 28) 
• Gulf Giants 139/8 in 20 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 24, Shimron Hetmyer 20, Mark Adair 19, Ali Khan 2 for 23, Jason Holder 2 for 25, Ibrar Ahmad 2 for 27)