Ali Taleb didn’t need five rounds to claim his first PFL title.
On the PFL MENA portion of the league’s 2024 World Championships event, Taleb put away opponent Rachid El Hazoume in under a round with a powerful right hand knockout punch. Taleb was awarded a bantamweight title for his impressive performance.
Watch the highlight-reel finish below.
ALI TALEB DELIVERS A ROCK RIGHT HAND FOR THE WIN!#PFLWorldChampionship | #PFLMENA
— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 29, 2024
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MAIN CARD: 1PM ET pic.twitter.com/kcdMYD6j7f
The closing sequence started with Taleb catching El Hazoume with a left uppercut. That blow staggered El Hazoume and Taleb immediately pursued the finish. El Hazoume tried to return fire with his back against the cage, but Taleb caught a kick and with El Hazoume briefly balancing on one leg, Taleb uncorked a right hand that signaled a clear end to the fight.
The official time of the stoppage was 1:25 of Round 1.
Taleb, who fights out of Sweden, has competed for PFL and PFL Europe before joining the league’s PFL MENA division. He has won three straight fights and improved to 12-1 as a pro.