Kuumar Shyam (Aletihad)
Dubai-based fighter Jakhongir Jumaev is a man of few words and shy, probably because he cannot speak English, but the Uzbekistan fighter is a strong favourite in the headline bout of the next instalment of the UAE Warriors – another double header from the organisers Palm Sports – to be held at the ADNEC Marina on the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
The local promotion will hold fight cards No. 53 and 54 this weekend, with the former being the third Arabia v Africa theme card which was introduced to coincide with the 50th milestone of the Mixed Martial Arts Event (MMA) from the UAE.
Jumaev’s opponent is Shakhmar Sadygov, Tiger Muay Thai’s undefeated dynamic striker Shakhmar Sadygov who is a late replacement for teammate Kirill Gorobets. Such is the short notice that the fight card on the social media account of the organisers still has Gorobets in the catchweight contest (75 kilogrammes).
Answering a question about a data bank of the fighters, chief organiser Fouad Darwish said: “In the early days of the UAE Warriors history, we never thought of keeping fighters on the standby. But we learn every day and have a plan B always; now we have a family of more than 3,000 fighters each wanting this opportunity in their career as they chase the dream of fighting in the UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship] or wherever.
One such fighter to have progressed to the UFC is Jumaev’s conqueror in UAE Warriors 45, Amru Magmedov. Jumaev lost by submission in the first round but Magmedov is an exceptional talent with close ties to the kin of the star fighter Khabib Nurmadomedov. Even UFC President Dana White has tipped him for greater things.
The former Uzbek special forces soldier Jumaev then made amends with a resounding first-round knockout victory of Andre Fialho to send jaws dropping to the floor at the landmark 50th Warriors event.
Like Jumaev (11-4 record), Sadygov spoke in broken English to first throw the gauntlet down at the dias of the news conference. “Remember my words. It is a shine bout [headline clash] and I will smash him apart,” the Russian Sadygov said.
In response, all Jumaev had to offer was: “We will see.” Jumaev left the venue the moment everyone stood up.
By experience, Sadygov is only six fights rich compared to the world and Asian champion Jumaev, but his 6-0 record is highlighted with the fact that none of his victories have had to go the distance, four of them coming in first-round stoppages.
He may have the grappling ability and top game to control Jumaev, but the Uzbek hand-to-hand combat specialist is very dangerous from the distance with a timing to punish anyone who enters his pocket reach. Jumaev trains at Tam Khan’s facility in Dubai along with a host of local stars such as Mohammad Yahya and more.
The main fight on the Arabia vs. Africa card features two hugely experienced former champions, the Muay Thai specialist Marcel Adur (18-6) who is up against one of the strongest bantamweight (57kg) fighter in African MMA history, Demarte Pena (14-2).
The Angolan Pena has victories over several UAE Warriors alumni including Cedric Doyle, Mehdi Saadi and Elias Boudegzdame by virtue of his outstanding submission defence and lightning-quick footwork. He takes on Brazil-based Adur of Lebanon, who can boast of 13 knockouts in his 24 bouts.
The co-main event will see flyweight Muhidin Abubakar (7-1) from East London returning to the Warriors’ cage after over two years, where he will take on jiu-jitsu proponent and South Africa’s Gift Walker (5-1). The Johannesburg-based fighter sounded modest when he said he feels like a “small fish in a big pond” who is hoping to entertain the fans while trying to be on the winning side.
There will be three female-bouts with a total of 52 fighters in action over the proceedings on Friday and Saturday.