Malik Basahel has produced a dominating resume on the amateur circuit, winning 19 of 22 fights and picking up three amateur flyweight titles. Basahel had an incredibly busy 2023, going 11-1 with eight finishes and picking up an IMMAF silver medal, as well as a dominating run at the 2023 IMMAF Asian Championship. Basahel defeated Vinicius Pereira at the PFL vs. Bellator pay-per-view in February and defeated Harsh Pandya at the first PFL MENA event in May.

 

Saher Qasmieh will be making his amateur MMA debut tonight. Qasmieh has a background in Wushu Sanda, having been a former gold medalist in the sport. He has also competed in the Jordanian and Arab Kung Fu Championships.

 

Will Basahel add another win to his amateur resume, or will Qasmieh pull off a major victory in his first MMA fight?

 

 

Round 1

 

Qasmieh coming forward. Qasmieh misses a low kick. Basahel stepping on the outside. Basahel shoots in and easily gets a takedown. Basahel already looking to lock up a choke. Basahel twists his body over looking for an armbar, but Qasmieh prevents it. Qasmieh now looking for his headlock choke! The two get back to the feet. Basahel looking for another takedown, but Qasmieh is defending well. Qasmieh lands a knee to the cup, and we’ve got a time out.

 

Qasmieh comes forward, but he misses a right hand. Basahel shoots in and gets another takedown. Basahel looks to take the back and he gets the body triangle in. He’s aiming to lock in a rear-naked choke! Qasmieh defending well, keeping his head next to Basahel’s. Basahel landing strikes from the back. Qasmieh is able to survive to the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

Punch and a low kick from Qasmieh. Left hand and a level change from Basahel. Basahel gets to the back. Basahel gets a small-package style takedown and gets right on top. Basahel goes from the mount to side control before ending up in half-guard. Basahel controlling the pressure, but Qasmieh preventing the move into mount.

 

Basahel gets back into side control. Knee from the bottom by Qasmieh as Basahel continues to pressure. Basahel appears to be moving into mount, and he gets it. Basahel looks to take the back again! Rear-naked choke is in! Qasmieh is fighting it, and he escapes it! Basahel is still on his back. Qasmieh looking to use the fence to pressure Basahel. Basahel landing a series of right hands to the head. Basahel ends up back in mount. Basahel takes the back once again before the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

Both men circling, neither man throwing for the first 25 seconds. A couple of low kicks from Qasmieh on the outside. Basahel lands a switch kick. Qasmieh staying outside, seemingly unable to solve the Basahel puzzle. Basahel easily gets things back to the ground about a minute into the round. Basahel gets into side control again. Basahel pressuring with the forearm.

 

Basahel gets into mount, and Qasmieh is trying to keep him down. Basahel postures up. Basahel gets back into side control. Basahel appears to be looking for another choke. Basahel can’t get it, but he’s able to move back into full mount. Basahel takes the back again, and he searches for another rear-naked choke. Qasmieh trying to survive as Basahel lands punches from the back. Qasmieh is able to last to the bell, but it’s an easy, dominant win for Basahel.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Malik Basahel defeats Saher Qasmieh by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26) in an Amateur Flyweight Showcase bout.