A historic night unfolded in Abu Dhabi as Muhidin Abubaker became the first Somalian champion in the history of mixed martial arts, securing the interim flyweight title at UAE Warriors 60, held at the Space 42 Arena.
In a closely contested five-round battle, Abubaker (10-1) defeated Brazil’s Victor ‘Sombra’ Nunes (11-6) to claim the interim bantamweight championship. Known for his elite karate background and evolving ground game, the London-based fighter dominated with top control and fluid leg work, leaving Nunes unable to counter effectively on the mat.
Abubaker’s win sets the stage for a high-stakes unification bout against reigning champion Iago Ribeiro (13-3) of Brazil.
The event featured 12 electrifying fights, showcasing 24 male and female athletes from 17 countries across various continents, highlighting the growing global appeal of UAE Warriors as the Middle East’s premier MMA platform.
The night was attended by distinguished figures, including 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 and President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union.
Fouad Darwish, CEO of Palms Sports and President of the UAE Warriors MMA Championship, officially crowned the winners.
Also making headlines was UFC veteran Tanner Boser, who returned to the UAE Warriors stage with a decisive TKO victory, further energizing the evening’s line-up of high-impact bouts.
MMA fans across the region now turn their attention to the next double-header: UAE Warriors 61 and 62, set for July 23 and 24, with multiple title fights on the card. Stay tuned across UAE Warriors’ social media platforms for exclusive build-up and live updates from the Middle East’s top MMA promotion.
–Input WAM
