Africa’s star continues to rise in the MMA world, and Abu Dhabi plays host today to a crashing wave of talent from the continent. Thirteen fights featuring athletes from thirteen countries make up part one of UAE Warriors’ three-day residence at the Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates, culminating in a welterweight title fight. Stay tuned for live UAE Warriors 27 results.
UAE Warriors 27 Main Event – North African Showdown
Last month, Wisem Hammami was supposed to fight Shido Soto at UAE Warriors 25, but a last-minute health issue forced him out. Now he is back and in the biggest fight of his fledgling career, as he takes on Morocco’s Badreddine Diani (4-1) for the UAE Warriors welterweight title.
Hammami (6-0) originates from Tunisia, but is an Italian citizen and trains at Aurora MMA in Rome. Including his amateur career, he is perfect in nine fights. Just 24 years old, the combined record of his opponents 25-18-1 is fairly solid for the regional scene. His opponent, Diani, is reigning UAE Warriors welterweight champion, winning a split decision over Abdulla Al Bousheiri last September. He may not have many fights, but UAE Warriors has thrown him right into the deep end over his three promotional appearances.
Rest of the Card
The co-main event features a barnburner of a fight between “The Crazy Cameroonian” Jaures Dea Gomez and former EFC champion “Troublemaker” Faeez Jacobs. Jacobs makes his promotional debut after a long career for EFC, while Dea Gomez resides in Abu Dhabi and makes his eighth walk to the UAE Warriors cage.
Before that, undefeated Moroccan talent Mohamed Amine (4-0) makes his UAE Warriors debut and a step up in competition against Paris’ Kevin Oumar (7-3, 1 NC). Other standouts on the card include Bang Muay Thai’s Jada Ketley (1-1), Nigerian standout Ndidi Alonu (10-3-1), and South African heavyweight thumper Thabani Mndebela (5-1).
UAE Warriors 27 Results
Full Card (UFC Fight Pass, 10am EST / 7am PST)
Wisem Hammami def. Badreddine Diani via TKO (Ground and Pound) at 4:45 of Round 2, wins inaugural UAE Warriors Africa Welterweight Championship
Faeez Jacobs def. Jaures Dea Gomez via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:43 of round 1
Kevin Oumar def. Mohamed Amine via Submission (Americana) at 1:36 of round 3
Michael Dubois def. Charles-Henri Tchoungui via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Zaakir Badat def. Ndidi Alonu via TKO (Elbows) at 4:48 of round 3
Souhil Tahiri def. Christopher Bajo via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:31 of round 1
Sylvester Chipfumbu def. Helder Fernandes via TKO (Left Hook and Punches) at 3:22 of round 2
Kenny Mokhonoana def. Alphonse Viny Bessala via Technical Submission (Triangle Choke) at 1:51 of round 1
Yousri Belgaroui def. Samir Zaidi via TKO (Punches) at 4:32 of round 1
Mona Ftouhi def. Jada Ketley via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Khaled Jashell def. Kevin Munje via Knockout (Overhand Right) at 3:44 of round 2
Luc Negleka def. Thabani Mndebela via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Magnus Oneyka Iversen def. Matheiu Rakotondrazanany via TKO (Toe Injury) at 2:03 of round 2
