Sherdog Prospect Watch: Unbeaten Hazem Kayyali

The upcoming Professional Fighters League event features a few unbeaten MENAfighters, including HazemKayyali . The 26-year-old Kayyali will co-headline PFL MENA 11 against BadreddineDiani in the semifinals of the 170-pound tournament.Representing Team Kombat in Amman, Jordan, Kayyali earned his spotafter defeating HassanShaaban via unanimous decision in July. His professional recordincludes three victories and two draws, but Kayyali also bringsextensive cage experience from his amateur career. His previousprofessional opponents have a combined record of 9-6-2, makingDiani (11-4, 4-1 PFL) the most experienced fighter Kayyali hasfaced as a professional. Kayyali is an unorthodox fighter who is comfortable in both thestriking and grappling phases of a fight, having already recorded asubmission and a technical knockout in his professional career. ABrazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Kayyali keeps his guard low andoften employs a karate stance. He has an effective kicking game andfrequently uses oblique kicks. Kayyali also displays a variedstriking arsenal and creativity in his attacks. His lone TKOvictory was initiated by a suplex before he finished Sadok ElKefi with ground-and-pound 72 seconds into the fight.

Under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation banner,Kayyali went on to win a gold medal at the 2021 MMA World Cup aftersubmitting EoinSheridan — who is also currently competing in the PFL and scored a "Knockout of the Year" contender in his most recentappearance — in the tournament final.

In his first and, so far, only PFL assignment, Kayyali showcasedhis fighting style and offered a closer look at his skill set. Inthe opening round, he kept the action on the feet and attackedShaaban with long-range kicks. In the second round, Kayyali tookthe fight to the canvas. While the Jordanian couldn't secure afinish, he controlled the action after locking in a tight bodytriangle. In the final frame, Kayyali was taken down with relativeease but managed to neutralize his opponent's offense until thereferee stood the fighters up. Kayyali spent much of the remainderof the round grinding against the cage and looking for anothertakedown, only to be reversed and finish the fight on his back. Thejudges ultimately awarded Kayyali the unanimous decision withscores of 29-28, 29-28 and 29-27, allowing him to advance in thetournament. A flyweighttitle fight headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in on Friday, Oct. 16 at 11p.m. ET on ESPN .