Hamdy Abdelwahab relieved for UFC Saudi Arabia split win over Jamal Pogues after 2.5-year layoff
Hamdy Abdelwahab beat Jamal Pogues with a split decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 250 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Take a look inside the fight with Abdelwahab, who returned 2.5 years after his UFC debut win, which was overturned for a failed drug test.
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues
Result: Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Abdelwahab (4-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Pogues (11-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stats: Pogues won the striking battle 69-52.
Abdelwahab on the fight’s key moment
“I expected everything in the fight. I was just really, really tired. My corner knows, after the first round I was not able to breathe – two weeks ago, I couldn’t breathe through my nose (because I was sick).”
Nothing like your first UFC victory! @HamdyAbdelwah wins by split decision to kick off #UFCSaudiArabia!
[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/Ifieu3sGZn
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
Abdelwahab on his layoff
“It’s been too long. I’ve been away for 2.5 years. I want to apologize to everyone who knows me. That was not my best performance. I’ve also been sick for the last two weeks. People were asking me to pull out of the fight – you can hear my voice. … Finally I made it (to the UFC) – not in the best way, but I was just focused on winning.”
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues, UFC Fight Night 250 (via UFC)
Abdelwahab on what he wants next
“I want to keep going, I want to keep fighting. Every time, I’m not the best, but I’m ready. … Last week was my birthday, and we didn’t celebrate because we were just preparing for the fight, so we’re going to celebrate everything today.”
“I was willing to do everything to get the win.”
After over two years away from the Octagon, Hamdy Abdelwahab (@HamdyAbdelwah) remains unbeaten, defeating Jamal Pogues at #UFCSaudiArabia.
Results, Interviews & More : https://t.co/WSGf4bcvek@RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason
— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 1, 2025
To hear more from Abdelwahab, check out his post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 250.