How Xavier Alaoui Plans to Bring the Noise Heading Into PFL MENA

THIS. FIGHT. 🤧

It’s Xavier Alaoui 🆚 Rachid El Hazoume for the Bantamweight bout.

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After a decade in the cage, Xavier Alaoui must prove himself to no one. The Tristar Gym jokester radiates confidence before the biggest fight of his career, but Alaoui knows he’s ready. And for those who don’t, prepare to find out.

“I’ve given up on the idea of being on the cusp of breaking through,” Alaoui told Sherdog.com. “I feel like I’ve already broken through. I’ve fought some of the best guys in the world, and the best guys in the world know who the f*ck I am.”

Alaoui (14-5) is set to make his mark in the Professional Fighters League, aiming to be the first to claim in the inaugural PFL MENA Bantamweight Season crown. Born in Morocco, Alaoui hates that he has to take out fellow countryman Rachid El Hazoume in the first round Friday at The Green Halls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the stakes are too significant. The tournament winner goes home with $100,000 and a potential roster spot in the 2025 PFL season.

For Alaoui, the money is nice, but the exposure is critical. Tristar Gym has developed Alaoui into a well-rounded and respected threat, but a trio of disputed split decision losses has kept “The Breadman” from becoming a household name.

He started professionally with a seven-fight win streak before he dropped a close decision to Josh Hill. After losing two of his next three, Alaoui was 7-3 before he would go on the best run of his career and claim the vacant UAE Warriors bantamweight title. He doesn’t know what he’d be doing today if he quit after facing adversity.

“I don’t give a f*ck about it,” Alaoui said. “When you’re a kid, you’re stuck in the mindset of ‘I should’ve done that or oh just maybe one more punch,’ but as long as I go in there and fight 100 percent.”

It’s Alaoui's on-to-the-next attitude that keeps fans invested and his training partners engaged. When Alaoui arrived at Tristar in 2014, the gym was invested in welterweights and middleweights, but the young prospect knew he was in the right spot. Blessed with a sense of humor, Alaoui quickly became the heart of the gym’s bantamweight stable.

“Most of the guys now are at 135, 145 and 155, so it gives me a good pool of talent to work with,” he said. “I’m 32, and it’s just great to see many young guys coming up. I’m happy for them.”

Now, it’s Alaoui’s time to shine. With PFL’s investment in the regional scene, talented fighters like Alaoui have the platform to reach even more viewers win, lose or draw. He plans to leave new fans with something unforgettable.

“I just want the chance to show the casuals what I can do,” he said. “It’s show business, and I have creativity, and I’m going to go out there and make all the f*cking noise I want.”