PFL MENA 9 weigh-in results: Main event official; new tournament bout set

PFL MENA 9 received official status following Saturday's weigh-in ceremonies, though the card underwent a notable restructuring due to a fighter missing weight for the lightweight tournament bracket.

Lightweight tournament competitor Zakaria Bichi failed to make weight for his scheduled bout against Basel Ahmed Shalaan, prompting PFL officials to rework the matchup. Rather than reschedule or remove Bichi from the card entirely, the promotion pivoted by pairing Shalaan with fellow competitor Abdullah Saleem, who both weighed in at 155.6 pounds. This new pairing was elevated from its originally scheduled showcase bout status directly into the lightweight tournament competition.

According to promotion officials in a social media video, Bichi came in significantly over the 155-pound lightweight limit, with organizers describing him as "way heavier" and unable to compete in the lightweight division. The exact weight Bichi registered was not disclosed publicly.

The adjustment marks a significant change to the tournament structure but allowed the promotion to maintain its lightweight bracket without cancellations. PFL MENA 9, branded as "Pride of Arabia," proceeded as rescheduled following the weigh-in adjustments. Such weight-related changes are not uncommon in MMA when fighters struggle to cut to their contracted weight class, often resulting in either catchweight bouts, opponent changes, or in some cases, fighter removal from the card entirely.