Moroccan featherweight Taha Bendaoud faces former UFC fighter Yanis Ghemmouri at PFL Africa 3. The matchup features two fighters looking to rebound from recent defeats and establish themselves in the PFL Africa featherweight division.
Bendaoud, nicknamed “Atlas Lion,” brings a submission-focused game and the advantage of fighting in his home country. Ghemmouri, known as “The Desert Warrior,” has more professional experience, with 13 victories and a history of competing in the UFC. Both fighters will need to address their recent setbacks to secure a crucial win.
Taha Bendaoud
Last 3 Bouts
Lose. Hamza Kooheji — Unanimous Decision
Lose. Islam Reda — Unanimous Decision
Win. Drissi Boualem — Submission (Triangle Choke)
Strengths
Submission ability: Three of his five career wins have come by submission.
Dangerous triangle choke: He has demonstrated his ability to finish opponents with this technique.
Home-country advantage: Fighting in Casablanca could provide an additional boost.
Grappling opportunities: He can threaten opponents who leave openings during scrambles.
Finishing instincts: His submission victories show that he can capitalize when opponents make mistakes.
Featherweight experience: He has competed in the PFL MENA featherweight division and reached the semifinals in 2025.
Weaknesses
Recent losses: Bendaoud enters the bout after consecutive decision defeats.
Limited professional experience: His seven-fight record is considerably smaller than Ghemmouri’s.
Unproven striking consistency: His professional record shows no knockout victories, suggesting that submissions have been a more prominent route to success.
Decision-making under pressure: His recent defeats make it important to demonstrate improvements against an experienced opponent.
Need for takedown setups: He must create opportunities to use his grappling rather than rely on opponents making mistakes.
Keys to Victory
Get the fight to the ground: Bendaoud should look for well-timed takedowns and clinch entries.
Use submissions strategically: He should seek opportunities for triangle chokes and other submissions without sacrificing position.
Avoid prolonged striking exchanges: Ghemmouri’s experience makes it important to choose striking exchanges carefully.
Maintain top control: If Bendaoud secures a takedown, he should focus on controlling his opponent before pursuing a finish.
Improve his defensive awareness: Avoiding unnecessary damage will help him remain competitive throughout the fight.
Fight with urgency: After two consecutive losses, Bendaoud needs to demonstrate that he can dictate the pace and impose his strengths.
Yanis Ghemmouri
Last 3 Bouts
Lose. Islam Reda — Submission (Anaconda Choke)
Win. Izzeddine Al Derbani — Unanimous Decision
Lose. Payton Talbott — KO (Punches)
Strengths
Greater professional experience: Ghemmouri has 17 professional bouts compared with Bendaoud’s seven.
Well-rounded skill set: His record includes knockout, submission and decision victories.
Experience against high-level opposition: His UFC appearances gave him exposure to a higher level of competition.
Finishing ability: He has demonstrated that he can finish opponents through both striking and grappling.
Decision-fighting experience: His victory over Izzeddine Al Derbani showed that he can win over three rounds.
Adaptability: His mix of finishes and decisions gives him options when adjusting to an opponent’s style.
Weaknesses
Recent submission loss: Islam Reda caught him with an anaconda choke in December 2025.
Striking vulnerability: Payton Talbott knocked him out in just 19 seconds at UFC 303.
Inconsistent results: Ghemmouri has alternated between wins and losses in his most recent bouts.
Grappling defense: His latest defeat highlights the importance of defending submission attempts.
Pressure management: He must remain composed if Bendaoud aggressively pursues takedowns and submissions.
Keys to Victory
Keep the fight standing: Ghemmouri should use his striking to make Bendaoud work before he can establish his grappling.
Defend takedowns: Strong takedown defense will limit Bendaoud’s opportunities to pursue submissions.
Use combinations: Mixing punches and kicks can help Ghemmouri maintain offensive pressure.
Control the distance: He should use movement and timing to prevent Bendaoud from closing the gap comfortably.
Avoid dangerous ground positions: If the fight reaches the mat, Ghemmouri must prioritize positional defense and avoid exposing his neck.
Use his experience: He should remain patient, make adjustments and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
Odds
Yanis Ghemmouri -230
Taha Bendaoud +190
