After more than a year away from competition, Ahmed “Peligro” El Idrissi returned to the cage in the best possible way. The Climent Club fighter defeated Azhdar Babayev by submission in the third round at VFL 1, held on September 12 in Dubai.
The victory had special meaning for El Idrissi, who was returning after a long period of inactivity while also taking another step into international competition.
“This victory means that I am made for this. Especially after taking the step to the international level following a year of inactivity, getting the result we expected gives me a lot of satisfaction.”
A game plan executed to the finish
The victory was the result of a carefully prepared strategy. El Idrissi explained to Fajador that he and his coaches and teammates at Climent Club studied Babayev before the fight and developed a game plan focused on neutralizing his striking and taking the fight to the ground.
According to El Idrissi, his team paid particular attention to Babayev’s right hand. The plan was to avoid that threat, bring the fight to the mat and look for the finish.
That strategy ultimately paid off. El Idrissi submitted Babayev with an arm-triangle choke at 2:26 of the third round, earning another professional victory.
Climent Club: the family behind “Peligro”
Beyond the result itself, El Idrissi highlighted the role Climent Club has played in his development as a fighter.
He joined the team after experiencing defeats during his amateur career and believes his time at Climent helped transform him into the fighter he is today.
“They welcomed me as if I were part of the family. I arrived there after having two losses as an amateur, and while being there I became the ‘Peligro’ I am today. I owe part of that to them. I am very grateful and proud to be part of the Climent family.”
That influence was also present during the fight in Dubai. El Idrissi credits the Climent brothers with developing his grappling and revealed that Jorge Climent played a direct role from the corner in the sequence that eventually led to the finish.
“It was Jorge who told me to go for the Von Flue and then transition to the arm triangle to finish him, so without them this would have been impossible.”
“I have shown that I can fight anywhere”
For El Idrissi, the victory was also an opportunity to show what he can do outside his usual competitive environment.
Taking a fight in Dubai gave him the chance to test himself on an international stage and send a message about his ambitions for the next chapter of his career.
“I feel that I have shown that I have the ability to fight anywhere, nationally or internationally. I also accepted this challenge to show the major organizations that I am at the level to compete anywhere.”
However, “Peligro” does not want his successful return to be followed by another long period of inactivity.
“This victory only means one more step toward the goal. Now I hope to fight again as soon as possible.”
His plan is to compete at least three times a year and face opponents who can help him continue climbing the rankings and progressing internationally.
For now, El Idrissi is not targeting one specific promotion.
“I don’t really have one organization in mind. If the offer is good and they pay well, I’ll be there without a doubt.”
After more than a year away from competition, Dubai marked an important new chapter for Ahmed “Peligro” El Idrissi: an international victory, another submission finish and a return that he hopes will be the beginning of a much more active period in his career.
