Latest news with #UAEWarriors
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC vets Ali AlQaisi, James Llontop featured in UAE Warriors doubleheader in Abu Dhabi
UAE Warriors will host a doubleheader later this month. UAE Warriors 61, which takes place July 23 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, will be headlined by Arabian featherweight champion and former UFC fighter Ali AlQaisi (16-8), who meets former EFC bantamweight champion Sylvester Chipfumbu (11-6) for the promotion's inaugural Intercontinental featherweight title. Also featured on the card is a matchup between Season 32 "Ultimate Fighter" alum and Arabian welterweight champion Omran Chaaban (8-1), who meets Brazil's Wellington Madeira (7-1). Plus, UFC and PFL veteran Ronny Markes (25-10) takes on ACB alum Kazbek Saidaliev (13-3). UAE Warriors 62, which takes place July 24 in the same venue, features a headliner between welterweight champion Khotam Boynazarov (10-0), who defends his title against DWCS graduate and UFC alum James Llontop (16-5). Former Eagle FC Champion Imam-Shapi Mukhtarov (11-1) meets Azerbaijan's Anvarbek Daniyalbekov (9-0), and team Khabib Nurmagomedov's Ullubiy Amirzhanov (4-0) takes on submission specialist Ravshan Boymirzoev (5-0).
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC veterans competing in MMA and bareknuckle boxing action June 20-22
UFC veterans competing in MMA and bareknuckle boxing action June 20-22 This week, the UFC travels to Azerbaijan for the first time for a Fight Night event. UFC on ABC 8 features a light heavyweight matchup between former champion Jamahal Hill and former title challenger Khalil Rountree at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku. Last weekend, over 30 UFC veterans were in action in an extremely busy weekend on the combat sports regional scene. Scroll below to see how those fighters fared, and see the names and details of the upcoming weekend's competitors. Upcoming event information from Tapology. Last results Anthony Ivy: Knockout loss vs. Magomed Umalatov at 2025 PFL World Tournament 5 Jeremy Kennedy: Majority decision loss vs. Adam Borics at 2025 PFL World Tournament 5 Jesus Pinedo: Knockout win vs. Gabriel Braga at 2025 PFL World Tournament 5 Tanner Boser: TKO win vs. Vinicius Moreira at UAE Warriors 60 Vinicius Moreira: TKO loss vs. Tanner Boser at UAE Warriors 60 Yoshinori Horie: TKO win vs. Yamato Nishikawa at Rizin Landmark 11 in Sapporo Muhammad Mokaev: Unanimous decision win vs. Thomas Assis at 971 FC 2 Bojan Velickovic: TKO loss vs. Ronald Paradeiser at Oktagon 72 Makhmud Muradov: Unanimous decision win vs. Patrik Kincl at Oktagon 72 Karlos Vemola: Unanimous decision win vs. Attila Vegh at Oktagon 72 Damian Stasiak: Unanimous decision win vs. Michal Domin at KSW 107 Phil De Fries: Submission win vs. Arkadiusz Wrzosek at KSW 107 Randy Costa: TKO win vs. Nick Burgos at BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun (bareknuckle boxing) Peter Barrett: TKO win vs. Nash Diederichs at BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun (bareknuckle boxing) John Howard: TKO loss vs. Pat Casey at BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun (bareknuckle boxing) Yorgan De Castro: TKO loss vs. Josh Watson at BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun (bareknuckle boxing) Parker Porter: TKO win vs. Dillon Cleckler at BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun (bareknuckle boxing) Aaron Phillips: TKO loss vs. Robert Casper at Ragin FC 2 Melvin Guillard: June 14 vs. Hunter Smith at Ragin FC 2 Phil Hawes: DQ loss vs. Sasha Palatnikov at DBX 2 (custom rules) Sasha Palatnikov: DQ win vs. Phil Hawes at DBX 2 (custom rules) Boston Salmon: Unanimous decision loss vs. Lamar Brown at DBX 2 (custom rules) Luis Saldana: TKO win vs. Joe Penafiel at DBX 2 (custom rules) Francisco Trinaldo: TKO win vs. Eric Moon at DBX 2 (custom rules) Sheymon Moraes: TKO win vs. Omari Boyd at DBX 2 (custom rules) Jessica-Rose Clark: Unanimous decision win vs. Marilia Morais at DBX 2 (custom rules) Alex Nicholson: TKO loss vs. Robinson Perez at DBX 2 (custom rules) Saidyokub Kakhramonov: Unanimous decision win vs. Alex Caceres at DBX 2 (custom rules) Alex Caceres: Unanimous decision loss vs. Saidyokub Kakhramonov at DBX 2 (custom rules) Jairzinho Rozenstruik: TKO vs. Victor Cardoso at DBX 2 (custom rules) Curtis Millender: TKO loss vs. Renato Valente at LXF 25 Nick Maximov: TKO win vs. Handesson Ferreira at 559 Fights 115 Jarno Errens: June 15 vs. Donovan Desmae at Levels Fight League 18 Jake Hadley (12-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) Next fight: June 20 vs. Marcirley Alves at 2025 PFL World Tournament 6 Last MMA fight: Submission win vs. Matheus Mattos at 2025 PFL World Tournament 2 on April 11, 2025 Last UFC fight: Unanimous decision loss vs. Cameron Smotherman at UFC Fight Night 245 on Oct. 19, 2024 Record since UFC exit: 1-0 Liz Carmouche (23-8 MMA, 5-5 UFC) Next fight: June 20 vs. Elora Dana at 2025 PFL World Tournament 6 Last MMA fight: TKO win vs. Ilara Joanne at 2025 PFL World Tournament 2 on April 11, 2025 Last UFC fight: Unanimous decision loss vs. Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on ESPN+ 14 on Aug. 10, 2019 Record since UFC exit: 10-1 Kevin Lee (20-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) Next fight: June 20 vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov at 2025 PFL World Tournament 6 Last MMA fight: Submission win vs. Thiago Oliveira at Lights Out Championship 17 on Sept. 28, 2024 Last UFC fight: Submission loss vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC on ESPN 48 on July 1, 2023 Record since UFC exit: 1-0 Mariya Agapova (10-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) Next fight: June 21 vs. Jessica Eye at BKFC 76 (bareknuckle boxing) Last MMA fight (also last UFC bout): Submission loss vs. Luana Santos at UFC on July 13, 2024 Record since UFC exit: 0-1-1 boxing Jessica Eye (15-11 MMA, 5-10 UFC) Next fight: June 21 vs. Mariya Agapova at BKFC 76 (bareknuckle boxing) Last MMA fight (also last UFC bout): Unanimous decision loss vs. Maycee Barber at UFC 276 on July 2, 2022 Record since UFC exit: 0-0 Willie Gates (12-13 MMA, 1-3 UFC) Next fight: June 21 vs. Brandon Meneses at BKFC 76 (bareknuckle boxing) Last MMA fight: Submission loss vs. Teruto Ishihara at Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 9 on March 18, 2023 Last UFC fight: Submission loss vs. Ulka Sasaki at UFC Fight Night 87 on May 8, 2016 Record since UFC exit: 0-6 Josh Copeland (18-7-1 MMA, 0-2 UFC) Next fight: June 21 vs. Andrei Arlovski at BKFC 76 (bareknuckle boxing) Last MMA fight: Unanimous decision loss vs. Anton Vyazigin at RCC 7 on Dec. 14, 2019 Last UFC fight: TKO loss vs. Jared Rosholt at UFC 185 on March 14, 2015 Record since UFC exit: 9-5-1 MMA, 2-1 bareknuckle boxing Andrei Arlovski (34-24 MMA, 23-18 UFC) Next fight: June 21 vs. Josh Copeland at BKFC 76 (bareknuckle boxing) Last MMA fight (also last UFC bout): Split decision loss vs. Martin Buday at UFC 303 on June 29, 2024 Record since UFC exit: 1-0 custom rules Cody East (16-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC) Next fight: June 21 vs. Jarome Hatch at BKB 42 (bareknuckle boxing) Last MMA fight: TKO win vs. Rakim Cleveland at Peak Fighting 35 on April 20, 2024 Last UFC fight: TKO loss vs. Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 96 on Oct. 1, 2016 Record since UFC exit: 4-4 MMA, 4-0 boxing, 1-0 kickboxing, 0-1 muay Thai, 2-0 bareknuckle boxing Juan Adams (10-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC) Next fight: June 21 vs. Richard Carmack at BKB 42 (bareknuckle boxing) Last MMA fight: TKO loss vs. Shelton Graves at PCS 3 on June 17, 2023 Last UFC fight: TKO loss vs. Justin Tafa at UFC 247 on Feb. 8, 2020 Record since UFC exit: 5-3 MMA, 2-0 bareknuckle boxing Ike Villanueva (18-14 MMA, 1-5 UFC) Next fight: June 21 vs. Eric Olsen at BKB 42 (bareknuckle boxing) Last MMA fight (also last UFC bout): TKO loss vs. Tyson Pedro at UFC on April 23, 2022 Record since UFC exit: 3-2 bareknuckle boxing Luis Henrique da Silva (19-10 MMA, 2-4 UFC) Next fight: June 22 vs. Well Oliveira at The King Fight 1 Last MMA fight: Knockout loss vs. Marcin Wojcik at KSW 88 on Nov. 11, 2023 Last UFC fight: Knockout loss vs. Gokhan Saki at UFC Fight Night 117 on Sept. 22, 2017 Record since UFC exit: 7-6 Antonio Arroyo (11-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
The National
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Abdul Hussein eyes UAE Warriors title after first-round stoppage of Sami Yahia
Abdul Hussein landed three high knees followed up with a left hook to send Sami Yahia crashing to the canvas in the main event of Thursday's UAE Warriors Arabia versus Africa fight card. Referee Marc Goddard stopped the bantamweight contest to prevent Yahia from suffering further punishment three minutes and 44 seconds into the first round, resulting in a TKO verdict for Hussein. As soon as Hussein ended the contest, he grabbed a mobile phone from one of his cornermen that had Dana White's photo displayed on the lock-screen, a clear signal that Hussein believes the UFC president should take note of his talent. With that result, the Palestinian also extended his record in the UAE Warriors to 4-0 and 13-2 overall in mixed martial arts, including 11 wins without going the distance. 'I think I did pretty good, going on the offensive from the start and completing the job in round one,' Hussein said after making short work of his France-based Algerian opponent at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi. 'After this result, I would expect the Abu Dhabi promotion to consider me for a title shot. Also, I really think the MMA world is taking note of my potential and the results and looking forward to hearing from them as well.' In the co-main middleweight contest, Diego Bandu bounced back from his debut defeat in UAE Warriors with a second-round stoppage of Islem Masraf. The South African landed elbow blows and punches for a TKO in four minutes and 15 seconds of the second round. Abdulla Al Bousheiri was the most impressive on the night, stopping South African Cole Henning, who filled in for the injured Congolese Anicet Kanyeba, with a spectacular triangle armbar four minutes and 34 seconds into the first round. A regular in the UAE Warriors, the Kuwaiti completed his third successive win in the promotion and took his overall record to 13-5. 'I love to compete in Abu Dhabi where I have a lot of friends and fans. I have been competing in the UAE Warriors for nearly six years and proud to represent the Gulf,' he said. 'The Arabia versus Africa card is unique which no other promotion has done. It provides the fighters from the continent a great platform and the opportunity to take their game to the next level. 'For me, I want to compete in the UAE Warriors as long as possible. I'm very happy with whatever match-up the promotion has offered me and as always, looking forward to my next appearance in Abu Dhabi.'
Al Etihad
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Submission specialists headline Arabia v Africa card
11 June 2025 22:12 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi is set to host a double dose of mixed martial arts (MMA) action this weekend as UAE Warriors stages its 59th and 60th events at Space42 Arena in Al Raha. With two action-packed cards featuring regional stars and international contenders, fans are bracing for fireworks inside the octagon – especially with two high-stakes main events headlining each spotlight first falls on Friday's regional UAEW 59 or Arabia v Africa card, where Palestinian-Finnish sensation Abdul Hussein meets Algeria's Sami Yahia in a bantamweight main event that is being billed as a clash of silken submission nicknamed "The Limb-Locker", has been nothing short of spectacular since joining the UAE Warriors promotion. Undefeated in three bouts under the banner and five in a row overall, he boasts a trio of memorable finishes: a first-round submission over Mahmoud Abd El Raouf on debut, followed by a second-round TKO of Hansraj Samota, and most recently, a clinical bulldog choke that dispatched Eduardo Mora in Al a stellar Pro MMA Record of 12-2-0, Abdul is swiftly becoming one of MMA's most promising talents. He has been undefeated since his debut loss at Al Etihad Arena, making him a fan favourite in Abu opponent, Sami Yahia, brings a veteran presence to the cage with one defeat in nine bouts and a well-rounded skillset forged on the European circuit. The Algerian-born French fighter is known for combining striking volume with suffocating wrestling and cage control. Ranked among the top 40 bantamweights globally, Yahia will be looking to derail Hussein's momentum and make a title case of his own with a fourth successive victory bout is being framed as a clash of styles: Hussein's ground game is his biggest weapon, and if the fight goes to the mat, he'll be hunting for another slick submission. Yahia, on the other hand, may try to keep the bout standing, using his experience and cardio to drag the younger fighter into deep waters. While fan sentiment is heavily leaning toward Hussein, the main event is anything but a foregone conclusion."I see myself much better in all areas in this MMA," said Hussein while talking about his rival Yahia and the strategic match-up. "If we are standing, I have the advantage. If he takes me down, I will submit him; or I will sweep him and elbow him from the top. So I have been training for all scenarios at two places [in Finland] and I must say this has been my best preparation for any fight."The UFC hopeful even went one step ahead in his show of confidence. "I can already see myself with the belt around my waist and see Dana White [the UFC President] calling me," said Hussein with a mischievous night brings the stakes even higher with UAE Warriors 60, headlined by a clash for the Interim Flyweight Championship between Brazil's Victor Nunes and the UK-based Somalian, Muhidin Abubakar. Nunes enters the bout with a 9–1 record and a reputation as a knockout artist. He'll be aiming to impose his striking game and secure the interim belt with an emphatic across from him will be Abubakar, a grappling specialist riding a five-fight win streak. Known for his durability and submission savvy, he's seen by many as the more complete fighter heading into this matchup. Currently ranked second in the UK and Ireland's flyweight division, Abubakar is fighting not just for the interim title, but to stake a claim for undisputed gold down the line. With the stylistic contrast – striker versus grappler – the fight promises tension and drama. Beyond the two headline acts, both cards feature plenty of intrigue. With potential champions, highlight-reel finishes, and reputations on the line, UAE Warriors 59 and 60 promise to deliver two nights of unmissable action.
The National
14-03-2025
- Sport
- The National
'Ready for anyone': Ali Taleb steps up to PFL World Tournament to face Zebenzui Ruiz
Ali Taleb said he is ready to take on all comers after being promoted to the PFL's World Tournament. The Iraqi-born Swede won the promotion's Mena bantamweight title last November by knocking out Moroccan Rachid Haz in the first round in Riyadh. Taleb's performance did not go unnoticed, and the 27-year-old will make the step up in grade at the 2025 PFL World Tournament starting in April, where he is slated to meet Spaniard Zebenzui Ruiz in the newly introduced 135lb weight division. 'I can't wait for this day. I'm super excited. I have been training and preparing for this event ever since the PFL confirmed my spot in the World Tournament,' Taleb, 27, told The National in a Zoom interview. 'Yeah, that's what I have been doing all the time; training and preparing until the day of the fight. I plan to fly to the US for a camp ahead of the fight as soon as I receive my visa." Taleb has only one defeat in his 13-fight pro career while Ruiz also has 12 wins against three losses. 'I don't know much about this Spanish guy but I'm ready to take on anyone the promotion puts in front of me because if you want to be a world champ, you should be able to take on anyone to be the best,' Taleb said. The 2025 PFL World Tournament kicks off in April, with four weekly opening round events taking place on April 3, 11, 18 and May 1 at the Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. Taleb has won four of his five PFL fights with his solitary loss coming against Khurshed Kakhorov of Tajikistan in September 2023. His best win so far has been in UAE Warriors when he dethroned bantamweight champion Vinicius Oliveira – now in the UFC – in a third-round TKO. With that win under his belt, as well as crossing over to PFL and winning the Mena bantamweight crown in the inaugural season, Taleb has proven to be one of the top fighters in the region. 'To win the bantamweight belt was fantastic and now to step up to the world stage I believe was a natural process,' he said. 'I have gone though a lot in life. It has been a very hard and long journey for me. I'm glad about what I have achieved and where I have reached right now. But I want to go further.' Taleb has shown high-level skills and ability, including excellent boxing skills and crunching power punches. He began his professional career with two wins in the Fight Club Rush in Sweden – the first by TKO stoppage and the next by submission arm triangle choke. He went undefeated in the UAE Warriors, reeling off three wins in the Abu Dhabi promotion's Arabia event and two in the international event that culminated with the bantamweight title triumph over Oliveira in July 2022. 'Vinicius was 17-2 and I was 6-0 when I stopped him in the third round. Now he is in UFC and I signed for PFL, which was a big break for me,' Taleb said. 'I was undefeated in five UAE Warriors appearances and ended up with the bantamweight belt. I enjoyed my time with the Abu Dhabi promotion but I had to move on when the opportunities opened up.' Taleb moved with his family to Sweden in 2009 where he joined a martial arts school. He won five of his eight amateur MMA fights and turned pro in 2018. 'That has been my life ever since,' he added. 'I spend much of my time in training and when I'm at home I spend time with my family and play around with my two huskies. 'As a child, I played football and tried out a few other sports but it was MMA that I was attracted to and continued to pursue full-time. I think I have done pretty well so far in my chosen profession and obviously looking ahead for bigger goals. 'I want to put up a show on my first appearance on the world stage. I want to tell my friends and fans around the world to keep supporting me and I'll give them a good show every time I enter the arena.'
