‘Won’t be that challenging’ — Iraq’s Ali Taleb confident as he heads into PFL MENA Championship

1 / 3
Taleb could have the advantage as he has competed in the PFL since 2022 and has championship experience under the UAE Warriors banner.(Supplied)
2 / 3
Taleb could have the advantage as he has competed in the PFL since 2022 and has championship experience under the UAE Warriors banner.(Supplied)
3 / 3
Taleb could have the advantage as he has competed in the PFL since 2022 and has championship experience under the UAE Warriors banner.(Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 18 November 2024
Follow

‘Won’t be that challenging’ — Iraq’s Ali Taleb confident as he heads into PFL MENA Championship

  • Taleb will take on Moroccan standout Rachid El Hazoume in the league’s 135-pound finale

RIYADH: Iraqi bantamweight Ali Taleb is showing no lack of confidence as he prepares to compete in the inaugural PFL MENA Championships in Riyadh later this month.

“The victory is closer to me, and I’ll surprise my opponent with a level and style he won’t expect,” said the 27-year-old, who boasts slate of 11-1.

Taleb will take on Moroccan standout Rachid El Hazoume in the league’s 135-pound finale.

His record may boast fewer fights but Taleb could have the advantage as he has competed in the PFL since 2022 and has championship experience under the UAE Warriors banner. 

Given this, Taleb believes El Hazoume will not be much of a threat. 

“I’ve already been a bantamweight champion in 2022, when I defeated Brazilian Vinicius de Oliveira,” he said.

“The fight with El Hazoume won’t be that challenging, especially since he has three losses compared to my one, and this will certainly affect his performance and motivate me to give my best and achieve victory.” 

As far as preparations go for what will be the biggest test of his career to date, Taleb says he has had superb training.

“I’m fully prepared and ready for this match. I’ve undergone an intensive and high-quality training camp under the guidance of top coaches,” he said.

The Iraqi is also counting on the fans’ support come fight night. 

“Undoubtedly, the presence of Iraqi fans … will fuel my enthusiasm and motivate me to win, fulfilling my plan and satisfying my fans who follow all my fights,” he said.

Taleb will face El Hazoume in the PFL Mena Championships on Nov 29. The event also features three more must-see title bouts. The complete fight card is:

PFL MENA Featherweight Championship: Abdelrahman Alhyasat (5-0) vs. Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-2)

PFL MENA Welterweight Championship: Mohammad Alaqraa (7-0) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (12-6)

Amateur Women’s Atomweight Bout: Hattan Alsaif vs. Lilia Osmani

PFL MENA Bantamweight Championship: Ali Taleb (11-1) vs. Rachid El Hazoume (15-3)

PFL MENA Lightweight Championship: Mohsen Mohammadseifi (6-1) vs. Georges Eid (10-4)

Showcase Fights:

Lightweight MENA Showcase: Mansour Barnaoui (21-6) vs. Alfie Davis (17-4-1)

Heavyweight MENA Showcase: Slim Trabelsi (7-0) vs. Abraham Bably (5-0)

Featherweight Global Showcase: Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (19-4)

Featherweight Global Showcase: Asael Adjoudj (8-1) vs. Jose Perez (9-1)

Middleweight Global Showcase: Costello van Steenis (15-3) vs. Joao Dantas (7-1)

The PFL MENA Championships can be seen live on MBC on Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. AGT.

Tickets are now on sale via webook.com


FIA, Formula 1 and all 11 race teams sign 9th Concorde Agreement

Updated 13 December 2025
Follow

FIA, Formula 1 and all 11 race teams sign 9th Concorde Agreement

  • FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says new contract secures the FIA Formula One World Championship’s long-term future

DUBAI: The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, and Formula One Group, the commercial rights holder, have announced the signing of the Concorde Governance Agreement, a contract defining the regulatory framework and governance terms of the FIA Formula One World Championship until 2030.

This follows the announcement in March that the 2026 Commercial Concorde Agreement had been signed by all the teams and Formula One Group.

Together, these agreements constitute the ninth Concorde Agreement, a major step forward in the professionalisation and global development of the sport.

First introduced in 1981, the Concorde Agreements are designed to promote sporting fairness, technological innovation and operational excellence, and align all key stakeholders around a shared vision for structured governance and continued growth of the sport.

Each iteration of the Concorde Agreements has shaped the FIA Formula One World Championship into the global spectacle it is today.

The ninth Concorde Agreement announced today marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration between the FIA and Formula One Group, who have worked together to write the next chapter in Formula One history, demonstrating mutual respect, transparency and shared purpose between the two organisations.

It confirms the participation of all FIA Formula One World Championship teams, including the incoming Cadillac Formula One team, through the end of the decade, and provides a stable foundation for the sporting and technical evolution of the sport.

The Concorde Agreement underscores the commitment of the FIA, Formula One Group and all teams to continue growing and developing the sport, and to keep driving the momentous expansion it has enjoyed in recent years.

The new contract enables the FIA to invest further in improved race regulation, race direction, stewarding and technical expertise for the benefit of the championship, and means the sport can continue to evolve, providing exciting technological innovation and sporting action for fans, broadcasters and partners, all within a stable and structured regulatory framework.

Combined with record viewership growth, a dynamic race calendar, and increasing engagement from younger audiences, the FIA Formula One World Championship enters this next chapter with unprecedented momentum.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, said: “The ninth Concorde Agreement secures the FIA Formula One World Championship’s long-term future and I am proud of the dedication that has been invested in this process.

“I would like to thank Stefano Domenicali and his team in what has been a strong collaboration, building a framework grounded in fairness, stability, and shared ambition. This agreement allows us to continue modernising our regulatory, technological, and operational capabilities, including supporting our race directors, officials, and the thousands of volunteers whose expertise underpin every race.

“We are ensuring that Formula One remains at the forefront of technological innovation, setting new standards in global sport.”

Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula One Group, said: “Today is an important day for Formula One. As we celebrate 75 years of this incredible sport, we are proud to write the next chapter in our long and amazing history.

“This agreement ensures that Formula One is in the best possible position to continue to grow around the world. I want to thank the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem and all the teams for the collaboration and determination to achieve the best results for the entire sport in our discussions.

“We have a huge amount to be proud of, but we also are focused on the opportunities and exciting potential for Formula One in the years ahead.”