Saudi MMA fighter Abdullah Al-Qahtani predicts another quick takedown at PFL

Abdullah Al-Qahtani, the 24-year-old Saudi fighter known as “The Reaper,” has predicted another win ahead of his clash with American David Zelner in the featherweight category at the Professional Fighters League playoff on Aug. 23 at Madison Square Garden, New York.

Al-Qahtani, who trains at Riyadh Combat Club, signed a three-year contract with PFL that guarantees him a minimum of two fights a year.

After a successful PFL debut defeating American Lamar Brown in Atlanta via a first-round submission in June, the fighter forsees another hostile takedown next week.

“It was the first time that I finished an opponent in the first round, it was crazy. I thought I would finish it with a knockout or by my striking skills, but I didn’t think it would be on the ground,” Al-Qahtani said.

“I felt that I was better than him in striking, so I thought I would knock him out but when it went to grappling, I finished him there. Although I am strong in both, I prefer striking.”

The Saudi started out in wrestling, but his transition into Muay Thai made him favor the striking game.

Al-Qahtani would not reveal what surprises he has in store for David Zelner — who makes his PFL debut with a record of 4-2-0 — but predicts both his striking game and grappling will end the match early.

“He is good, he will be hard, and he is aggressive. He will try to engage in striking, but I have good defense now, something I have been working on. I predict that I will take him down in the first round or the first of the second,” Al-Qahtani said.

“David’s right hook is quite strong, and so is his takedown game, he is also skilled in jiu-jitsu. He is a purple belt like me but the way I train jiu-jitsu is harder than he does so it should be a good fight.