Pouya Rahmani has made a powerful entrance into the Professional Fighters League (PFL), marking his debut with an emphatic victory that immediately caught the attention of the MMA community. The former Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA) standout, known for his explosive and technical fighting style, officially signed with the promotion earlier in 2025. His highly anticipated debut took place at the PFL Champions Series: Dubai, a night packed with thrilling matchups held at the state-of-the-art Coca-Cola Arena.
At 33 years old, Rahmani stepped into the cage with a perfect 5-0 record. But his debut in the PFL wasn’t just another win; it was historic. He became the first fighter to defeat Silm Trabelsi, doing so with a devastating technical knockout (TKO) just 2 minutes and 47 seconds into the first round. Rahmani’s performance was both dominant and decisive, showcasing his striking precision and ground control.
The fight pivoted on an overhand right that Rahmani landed cleanly, sending Trabelsi crashing to the mat. As Trabelsi, a former Olympic wrestler, scrambled to recover, Rahmani unleashed a barrage of punches that overwhelmed his opponent, forcing the referee to step in and halt the action. This victory highlighted Rahmani’s ability to capitalize ruthlessly on an opponent’s moment of vulnerability.
Rahmani’s credentials extend beyond his undefeated MMA record. He is a two-time world champion in both beach wrestling and no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu, disciplines that have honed his grappling skills and added depth to his versatile fighting arsenal. Remarkably, every one of his five wins in MMA has come by way of early finishes, all within the first round, underscoring his aggressive and effective approach inside the cage.
The PFL Champions Series: Dubai was a night full of intense battles and close calls, with notable results adding to the excitement. Among them, Florim Zendeli secured a unanimous decision victory over Omar El Dafrawy with all judges scoring 29-28. Mirafzal Akhtamov edged out Luann Sardinha via split decision in a tight contest, while Takeshi Izumi dominated Vinicius Cenci with a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Other thrilling matchups included Makkasharip Zaynukov’s unanimous decision over John Mitchell, where the judges scored 30-26, 29-28, and 29-28, and Jarrah Al-Silawi clinching a split decision victory against Gregory Babene, with judges’ tallies reading 28-29, 29-28, and 30-27.
Pouya Rahmani’s arrival in the PFL signals the start of a new chapter for the promotion’s featherweight division. His combination of unbeaten momentum, striking power, and grappling pedigree promises exciting matchups and a compelling journey as he aims to climb the ranks in one of the world’s premier MMA organizations.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: PFL Dubai video: Former ACA beast debuts with quick TKO
