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UFC announces July Abu Dhabi fight card

UFC announces July Abu Dhabi fight card

Al Etihad20 hours ago

19 June 2025 21:41
ABU DHABI (WAM)The UFC is back in Abu Dhabi on July 26 for a UFC Fight Night card at Etihad Arena.UFC CEO Dana White announced the first six matchups for that fight card, including the main event, which pits former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker against the rising Reinier de Ridder. In the evening's co-main event, Aaron Pico makes his UFC debut opposite Movsar Evloev in a five-round featherweight matchup.UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Card: Official FightsRobert Whittaker vs. Renier de Ridder - MiddleweightMovsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico - FeatherweightPetr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee - BantamweightBryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov - BantamweightShara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault - Middleweight
Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov - Light Heavyweight

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UFC announces July Abu Dhabi fight card
UFC announces July Abu Dhabi fight card

Al Etihad

time20 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

UFC announces July Abu Dhabi fight card

19 June 2025 21:41 ABU DHABI (WAM)The UFC is back in Abu Dhabi on July 26 for a UFC Fight Night card at Etihad CEO Dana White announced the first six matchups for that fight card, including the main event, which pits former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker against the rising Reinier de Ridder. In the evening's co-main event, Aaron Pico makes his UFC debut opposite Movsar Evloev in a five-round featherweight Abu Dhabi Fight Card: Official FightsRobert Whittaker vs. Renier de Ridder - MiddleweightMovsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico - FeatherweightPetr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee - BantamweightBryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov - BantamweightShara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault - Middleweight Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov - Light Heavyweight

Somalia's Abubaker shines in UAE Warriors
Somalia's Abubaker shines in UAE Warriors

Gulf Today

time5 days ago

  • Gulf Today

Somalia's Abubaker shines in UAE Warriors

The Middle East's premier mixed martial arts promotion staged another thrilling double-header over two nights of non-stop action, culminating in history being made as Muhidin Abubaker became the first Somalian champion in the history of mixed martial arts, and UFC veteran Tanner Boser returned to the Octagon in devastating form to pick up his latest TKO finish. Abubakar defeated Victor Nunes to take interim bantamweight championship in the UAE Warriors 60 at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi on Friday. After five rounds of back-and-forth action which took place mostly on the canvas, Muhidin Abubaker (10-1) bagged the interim flyweight title to set-up a mouthwatering unification bout with Brazil's incumbent Iago Ribeiro (13-3). His opponent at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, Victor 'Sombra' Nunes (11-6) had no answer to the top control and fluid leg-wrapping of the London-based karateka, whose ground-work is beginning to mark him as a massive talent on the global stage. His triumph didn't come overnight—it was forged in the fire of defeat. Abubakar's journey to the title was deeply shaped by a pivotal moment: his unanimous decision loss to South Africa's Luthando Biko in September 2022, during the Abu Dhabi promotion. That moment, crushing as it was, lit a fire inside him—a fire that never went out. 'That day I went back dejected and disappointed,' Abubakar recalled, reflecting on the loss that would redefine his career. 'But I was determined. I promised myself I would return stronger, smarter, and hungrier. I was going to be a better fighter—no matter what it took.' Fast forward to now, and that promise has been fulfilled in stunning fashion. With his third straight win in the promotion, Abubakar didn't just win a fight—he claimed a championship. He took home the title belt not just as a symbol of victory, but as a hard-earned reward for the countless hours of work, sacrifice, and self-belief. 'I'm really overwhelmed by tonight's result,' he said after the bout. 'To take back a title belt means everything—it's proof of the hard yards I've put in since that defeat. It was a tough fight, but I believe I deserved this win.' The evening, witnessed 12 intense fights with the participation of 24 male and female fighters from 17 countries representing different continents of the world, was attended by Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Shakhbut Al Nahyan, President of the Asian Chess Federation and Chairman of the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club; and Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union, First Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation (JJIF) and Chairman of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Palms Sports, event organiser. In the co-main event of the evening, UFC veteran Boser made an emphatic debut in the UAE Warriors promotion, securing a dominant victory over Brazil's Vinicius Moreira in a heavyweight showdown. After a tightly contested opening round, the Canadian took control, delivering relentless damage in the second frame. The punishment proved too much, and Moreira was forced to retire one minute and 55 seconds into the third round, visibly dazed and struggling to remain on his feet. In the welterweight division, Ukraine's Vladislav Rudnev kept his flawless professional record intact with a composed and calculated performance, earning a unanimous decision win over Polish debutant Piotr Niedzielski.

Abdul Hussein eyes UAE Warriors title after first-round stoppage of Sami Yahia
Abdul Hussein eyes UAE Warriors title after first-round stoppage of Sami Yahia

The National

time13-06-2025

  • 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.'

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