“It’s not real Fight!” PFL featherweight Abdullah Al-Qahtani aligns with Turki Alalshikh’s views on influencer bouts

Saudi featherweight Abdullah Al-Qahtani echoes leadership views against influencer fights, highlighting Saudi Arabia's commitment to authentic MMA events and his readiness for upcoming PFL vs Bellator PPV.

“It’s not real Fight!” PFL featherweight Abdullah Al-Qahtani aligns with Turki Alalshikh’s views on influencer bouts

Abdullah Al-Qahtani aligns with Turki Alalshikh's views on influencer fights (Image via: Instagram)

Saudi Arabia has plans to become the fight capital of the world. The upcoming PFL vs. Bellator PPV is the debut of a mainstream MMA promotion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Abdullah Al-Qahtani, the Saudi Arabian featherweight, will fight in the event’s prelims. All of these are possible due to the leadership of Saudi Advisor Turki Alalshikh. Alalshikh has recently stated that they won’t do influencer fights and would only host real fights.

FirstSportz’s Ajinkya Aswale recently interviewed Abdullah Al-Qahtani. Qahtani opened up about his personal and professional life in the interview. Moreover, he also agreed with Turki Alalshikh’s views on influencer fights and their possible future in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was what Al-Qahtani had to say about influencer fights in the interview.

It's not a real fight. It's like just a show. Who wants to watch this fight? It's like the followers for these people want to watch this, not the real sports....I see it's a good step for Turki Alalshikh....say it's not what they want...Yeah, the real fights, this is everything, the real fights. This is what the sport is putting forward, this real fights, not for the influencer fights.
Abdullah Al-Qahtani via FirstSportz
YouTube video

Al-Qahtani has only lost once in his professional MMA career, and it came via split decision. He has already fought twice in the PFL and has won both fights. In his PFL debut, he submitted Lamar Brown. Moreover, in his second fight with the promotion, he defeated David Zelner via unanimous decision. His upcoming fight at PFL vs Bellator PPV is against Edukondala Rao from India.

FS Video

Saudi Arabia recently hosted some of the biggest spectacles in boxing in recent times. Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury fought at Riyadh. Moreover, the upcoming fight between Ngannou and Anthony Joshua will happen in the capital of Saudi Arabia. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk had a scheduled fight in February, but Fury had to withdraw due to injury. However, the Bellator vs PFL PPV has now become the source of solace for Saudi fans in February.

India’s Edukondala Rao to make PFL debut against Abdullah Al-Qahtani

India will have its presence at the upcoming historic PFL vs Bellator PPV with Edukondala Rao, a featherweight fighter training out of Bangalore. His opponent at the PPV is Abdullah Al-Qahtani, a big prospect from Saudi Arabia.

Abdullah Al-Qahtani will face Edukondala Rao at PFL vs Bellator
Abdullah Al-Qahtani will face Edukondala Rao at PFL vs Bellator (Image via: Instagram)

Rao is coming off a loss and has a professional MMA record of 4 wins and a single loss. The loss was in his latest fight against debutant Gurtej Singh at Matrix Fight Night. As expected, Rao is an underdog in the fight, but betting odds have little significance in combat sports, particularly in MMA.

Al-Qahtani had already predicted a first or second-round finish against Rao in his interview with FirsSportz. Lightweight Anshul Jubli became the first Indian to fight at the UFC but lost his debut to Mike Breeden at UFC 294. Nonetheless, Indian fans will hope for an upset victory for Rao against Al-Qahtani.

In case you missed it!