Today's Edition
Kuumar Shyam (Aletihad)
A milestone moment in the history of the UAE Warriors series in mixed martial arts (MMA) will see three title fights, including a title defence by the featherweight holder Ali Al Qaisi of Jordan.
The UAE Warriors 49 and 50 will be held on the same weekend for the first time since restarting the series in 2018 from its old avatar as Abu Dhabi Warriors. While the UAE Warriors 49 is the dedicated feature between Arab and African fighters, the golden jubilee will see an array of other international stars.
In the co-main event, undefeated Russian Shakhban Alkhasov (8-0) faces Azerbaijan’s Tahir Abdullaev (16-2) for the vacant welterweight title and Japan’s Yamato Fujita (11-4) will meet Brazil’s Iago “Pitbull” Ribeiro (12-3) for the inaugural UAE Warriors flyweight title.
In addition, Andre Fialho (16-8) returns to UAE Warriors after an exciting run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and he will face Jakhongir Jumaev (10-4), Professional Fighters League champion Emiliano Sordi (23-12) goes up against the undefeated Diyar Nurgozhay (8-0), and top prospects Elin Oberg (5-2) and Anelya Toktogonova (5-1) clash in the prelims.
Al Qaisi is 15-7 in MMA and will take on Sweden’s Sameul Bark (9-2) and should be the heavy favourite with his track record against the European opponent. “I don’t want to see it that way. I prepare as if I am up against the best fighter in the world,” said Al Qaisi to Aletihad.
The Jordanian said he has lots of family and friends here and called Abu Dhabi as his “second home”. But there will be no complacency against the Swede. This is their first meeting.
“I’m well prepared for this fight. It’s a big event, a big show. I’m excited to fight in front of my people here in Abu Dhabi. I always like to put on a show. That’s why people come to watch me. I want to fight for the people. They give me a lot of energy when I’m inside the cage.”
Al Qaisi stated as a matter-of-fact that he expects to make short work of Bark. “I don’t intend to go the distance with him, perhaps stop him within the first two, maybe three rounds,” he said.
Bark said he is also well-prepared – for his opponent’s style, and the clash in an environment far away from his cold Swedish home. This is his second visit to Abu Dhabi.
Bark won at the UAE Warriors 30 by a split decision over Alexandru Chitoran two years back. Since then, he has won six out of seven bouts.
“I won my only fight in Abu Dhabi. Yet, this is a big one with a title belt at stake, but I am well-prepared just as I am sure my rival is [pointing to Al Qaisi]. I have seen some videos.
“He’s probably going to take me down and look for submissions. That’s what I understood of his style. I like striking but I have good defensive wrestling skills.
“Nobody has kept me down in MMA so far, so I am confident. I don’t want to think too much of my opponent but I’ll do my thing like throwing punches, use my elbows and knees. We’ll see who comes on top on the night.”
A highlight of the event will be a test of fighters training with the retired darling of the UAE, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Dagestan native will be ringside to mentor prospects from the fight academy of his late father Abdulmanap. Nicknamed
“The Eagle”, Khabib lost his father to COVID and retired early at the peak of his career to continue his father’s hard work. A UAE regular, he has set up his own promotion company Eagle FC.
Al Qaisi’s last contest was a catchweight bout which saw him get finished in the first frame of the fight. Al Qaisi was halted by punches when competing against Walter Cogliandro at UAE Warriors 45 in October. The 33-year-old is a two-time champion at one step lower in class and has made two successful featherweight title defences.
Al Qaisi made history for Jordan in August 2020 as the first Jordanian to compete in the UFC. He is winless though in two fights inside the octagon.
