Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – The Middle East’s premier mixed martial arts promotion is back with two of its biggest cards in recent promotional history, featuring it’s much-loved back-to-back fight night format with UAE Warriors 59: Arabia vs Africa on the 12th of June and UAE Warriors 60: Nunes vs Abubaker on the 13th.
The main event capping off the double-header is for the interim flyweight title between Brazil’s Victor ‘Sombra’ Nunes (11-5) and Somalia’s Muhidin Abubaker (9-1) following the shock news that the incumbent 125 lb champ, Iago Ribeiro (13-3) is taking a sabbatical from competition.
Nunes has had six Warriors outings containing an enviable highlight reel consisting of his first-round KO of Nawras Abzakh to the walk-off knockout of Aziz Uulu (20-8) at UAE Warriors 20. His last bout was a dismissive first-round finish of Genil Francisco (14-11) in Al Ain in February which prompted his calls for a crack at the belt. But Abubaker is also currently in top form, boasting of six first-round finishes of his own, the most recent being that of Chile’s Alfredo Muaiad (9-7) at the beginning of the year with a tap from a first-round neck crank.
Making his promotional debut on the international card is exciting new signing and Bellator vet, Romero Cotton (6-2) who will face Georgia’s Giorgi Egnatashvili (9-2). Following a world class wrestling career (three-time NCAA Champ, four-time NCAA All-American and four-time Kansas State HS Champ), ‘Bad News’ spent his entire pro MMA career at Bellator for over six years whilst based at AKA. In comparison, his opponent only turned pro three years ago, though ‘Grizzly’ has fought eleven times since then, losing his recent Warriors debut by decision in a back-and-forth war against current welterweight champion Khotam Boynazarov (10-0).
The card also witnesses the return of ex-lightweight championship contender and Uzbek special forces soldier, Jakhongir Jumaev (11-5) taking on multiple Combat Sambo World and European champion, Vladislav ‘Honey’ Rudnev (10-0), one of the best Ukrainian mixed martial artists competing in the world today and currently running a perfect 10 in his pro record. UAE Warriors 60 is also notable as it marks the return of fan-favourite Martun Mezhlumyan (14-3) from Armenia in his first fight back since October ‘22. Known for his non-stop pressure and complete skillset, he fights BJJ wizard Italo ‘Chipa’ Gomes (13-5) who steps back into the Octagon less than two months since his loss in the main event of Cage Warriors 187 in Glasgow.
The preceding evening showcases the best talent from Arabia and Africa with the main event featuring the outstanding Palestinian submission specialist Abdul Hussein (12-2) and Marseille’s Algerian leg-locker Sami Yahia (13-5). The co-main event is also a fascinating one with another French-based Algerian, Islem Masraf (3-1) who having previously competed for Ares, PFL and DWCS, now faces the pressured kickboxing of Dricus du Plessis’s sparring partner from CIT in Pretoria, Diego Bandu (5-2). Fan favourite and Kuwaiti veteran Abdulla Al Bousheiri (12-5) draws up against Congolese headhunter and EFC stalwart Anicet Kanyeba (14-10) whilst two massive undefeated prospects go head-to-head in a clash of styles with Iraqi grappler Rebin Fazil (4-0) and former Bellator featherweight contender from Morocco Ilias Bulaid (7-0). One particularly notable matchup features another huge top prospect and one of the best middleweights fighting out of Sweden, the undefeated Algerian Khaled Laallam (6-0) trying to find the titanium chin of South Africa’s dangerous and well-rounded Siyakudumiso Nomvemve (4-1).
UAE Warriors 59 and 60 are proudly presented by Palms Sports and take place on the 12th and 13th of June, live on UFC Fight Pass from the Space 42 Arena at 7pm Abu Dhabi time (11am ET 8am PT) in the UAE.
