A model for newer-generation MMA fighters from the Middle East, Jarrah Al-Selawe is a 27-fight veteran with 20 wins to his name, 13 of them coming via a finish. He earned a PFL contract through the Challenger Series in 2022, going on to compete in the regular season in both that year and 2023. He then competed in the inaugural PFL MENA season at welterweight last year, defeating Rayan Atmani before losing to Omar El Dafrawy.

 

Finish is a term often used with Gregory Babene’s fights, with 29 of his 36 bouts ending without the need of the judges – having not gone the distance since mid-2011. With 20 of his 23 wins coming via a finish, the 20+-year veteran of the sport has competed all over the world, including a 5-1 record in Bellator. Babene saw an eight-fight win streak snapped in his last fight, losing to current PFL Middleweight World Champion Costello Van Steenis.

 

Who will win this middleweight showcase matchup that opens the action today in Dubai?

 

 

Round 1

 

Al-Selawe comes forward. Flurry from Babene to start. He presses Al-Selawe to the fence and easily scores a takedown. Babene with some strong aggression early. Babene tries to isolate an arm. Babene lands some shots to the body. More heavy pressure from Babene as Al-Selawe tries to escape. Al-Selawe suddenly goes for a kneebar, but Babene is able to get out of it and end up back on top in the guard. Al-Selawe with an elbow from the bottom. Al-Selawe tries for a hold, but Babene is able to get out of it and stand back up himself. 

 

 

Right hand by Al-Selawe. Low kick by Al-Selawe. Left hand from Babene as he presses forward. Al-Selawe now with a trip, and he’s the one on top now. A couple of punches to the head. Babene gets back to his feet and the two go chest-to-chest briefly. A strong exchange between the two men. Right uppercut sneaks through for Al-Selawe. Babene presses forward with a flurry again with less than a minute to go. Overhand right by Babene. Al-Selawe misses a high kick. Low kick by Al-Selawe though. He misses another high kick.

 

 

Round 2

 

Al-Selawe grabs a hold of the leg, but Babene counters with a guillotine attempt. Babene continues to hold on, but Al-Selawe works his head out and gets in half mount. Elbow from Al-Selawe. Babene gets the butterfly hook in here. Babene tries to escape, but Al-Selawe counters and stays on top, all over him and nearly getting into full mount. Elbow from the top by Al-Selawe. Al-Selawe tries to set up an arm-triangle choke, but the two are too pressed next to the fence.

 

 

Arm-triangle attempt again after some work, but Al-Selawe goes too high on the arm. Babene gets his guard up. A couple of right hands from Al-Selawe. Al-Selawe goes back to half guard, trying to keep Babene down. The referee calls for more action, as does Al-Selawe’s corner. With 65 seconds left, the ref calls for a standup. A bit of an exchange, with one of Babene’s hooks getting Al-Selawe slightly off balance. Al-Selawe works on the outside, missing on a left high kick. Body kick attempt from Babene. Spinning kick from Babene is blocked, and Al-Selawe scores a body lock and takedown before the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

Low kick from Al-Selawe. Babene returns fire. Right hand lands for Al-Selawe. Body kick by Al-Selawe. Al-Selawe grabs a leg, and we get a body lock, but Babene shoves him off. Babene presses before another body lock, and we get a clinch battle against the SmartCage. Al-Selawe gets control, but Babene lands a knee to the body. Al-Selawe overcommits, and the fight goes to the ground with Babene on top in Al-Selawe’s guard. Babene tries to land some ground-and-pound and work around Al-Selawe’s defenses. Babene manages to work his way back to a standing position, but he goes back into the guard.

 

 

Some more ground-and-pound from Babene as Al-Selawe tries to work from the bottom. Al-Selawe works his way back to his feet. Low kick from Babene. Al-Selawe lands a low kick, too. Strong right hand from Al-Selawe. Low kick from Al-Selawe. Al-Selawe gets an easy takedown with a minute left in the fight. A couple of right hands from Al-Selawe as he tries to work, and he manages to work his way into side control. Al-Selawe is unable to get Babene’s back. Al-Selawe lands a series of shots from up top as he ends the fight there.

 

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OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Jarrah Al-Selawe defeats Gregory Babene by split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) in a Middleweight Showcase Bout.

 

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