Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC), a unique event launched four months back, has caught the fancy of fighters from all over the world and is expanding to Brazil in a worldwide appeal.
Following an excellent reception on debut for the tournament, which is a mixed card of jiu-jitsu and grappling in a cage, more and more fighters are queueing up for the event. Word has also spread to the jiu-jitsu powerhouse Brazil and the people behind ADXC, International Vision Sports Management, announced March 2 as the host country for the third edition.
The announcement at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City came on the sidelines of ADXC 2, which will be held on Friday, and where the main bout is another example of the format catching the fancy of elite fighters.
Aljamain Sterling, a UFC bantamweight with a title-winning history, will go up against Chase Hooper, a skilled cage fighter with outstanding jiu-jitsu skills, in a promising match-up.
Joining them on the card will be Emirati brothers Omar and Mohammed Al Suwaidi in different bouts.
Meanwhile, the organisers said that Khaled Al Shehhi, the UAE's Asian Games gold medallist, has confirmed his entry already for the Brazil bow. All fighters were present at the pre-event press conference with each confident of adapting and putting on a good show at the 14-fight tournament, which comprises two main events and two co-main events in the Gi and No-Gi categories respectively.
The main bout will be Sterling v Hooper in the grappling welterweight all-American bout. "There is no punching here, so jiu-jitsu in a real-life scenario within a cage at this event makes it very interesting and I think it is right up my alley," Sterling said, talking to Aletihad.
"I am bringing in with all my intensity - 110%." Sterling fancied his chances even as he conceded that Cooper has the weight advantage despite the former being bulkier in physical volume.
"It will be interesting. It takes two to put up a dance show, so hopefully we can do that and I can employ my grappling skills inside the cage where I am better off."
In the co-main event, the current Abu Dhabi World Pro champion, Bruno Lima of Portugal, faces off against his 2020 European Open final nemesis, Manuel Ribamar. Lima and Ribamar's rematch promises outside passing and a captivating encounter, following their thrilling bout in 2020.
Brazilian Ribamar said: "I hope I can do my country proud here and then I am also super excited to get the event to Brazil where we can show our personality as hosts and who we really are."
The co-main events will showcase Ffion Davies and Luana Pinheiro in the ADXC cage in the grappling catchweight bout, while Pablo Lavalessi will face Espen Mathiesen in the jiu-jitsu welterweight bout.
"As the global capital of jiu-jitsu and grappling, Abu Dhabi is dedicated to providing unparalleled support for this sport and organising exceptional events that embody the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect," said Mohammed Jassim Al Hosani, member of the organising committee.
"We call on all athletes participating in this edition to showcase their skills, and determination, and achieve a noteworthy accomplishment, inspiring future generations of athletes."
