The UAE Warriors 64 Fight Night promises to open an electrifying week of combat sports in the capital, with 26 fighters and three championship bouts set to light up ADNEC Arena on Wednesday evening, just days before UFC 321 unfolds at the Etihad Arena.
Established as the UAE’s flagship mixed martial arts promotion, UAE Warriors has grown into a key proving ground for regional and international fighters seeking a leap to the sport’s biggest stage. Wednesday’s event serves as an appetiser to Saturday’s UFC showcase, headlined by Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.
‘Best fight card ever,’ says UAE Warriors CEO
Fouad Darwish, CEO of the UAE Warriors organisers, said during the pre-event interaction that the promotion sees itself as “a bridge, not a rival, to the UFC.” He described UAE Warriors 64 as “the best fight card ever” since the series began in 2019.
A glimpse of that quality is evident in the co-main event, a unification bout between two bantamweight champions — Asaf “The Honey Badger” Chopurov and Demarte Pena — billed as a classic clash between a rising contender and a seasoned veteran, both hungry for global recognition.
Chopurov: ‘I’m in the Best Form of My Life’
For Chopurov, the fight marks the first title bout of his professional career. The 25-year-old, who trains between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, said his focus has been single-minded since the matchup was announced three months ago.
This fight is very important for my career. I’ve trained hard and I’m in the best form of my life. I don’t think about the title — I only think about my opponent and showing everyone what I can do.
Chopurov acknowledged Pena’s experience and striking power. “He has heavy shots,” he said. “But I’m ready for this – I do my job under pressure.”
Pena: ‘Experience Helps, but Performance Decides Everything’
Across the cage stands Demarte Pena, the battle-hardened Angolan with a 16-3 record and a wealth of international experience. This will be his 16th career title fight, but the veteran insists he is taking nothing for granted.
Experience helps, but what matters is how you perform on the night: I’ve fought all over the world – South Africa, France, now Abu Dhabi – and I truly believe I’m at UFC level.
A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Pena expects Chopurov to look for takedowns but remains confident in his stand-up game. “I know he’ll try to avoid the striking,” he said. “All my opponents lately have been dropped – they know the danger in my hands.”
Despite the weekday scheduling and smaller crowd, Pena said his focus remains absolute. “Once you’re inside the cage, it’s just you and your opponent. Whether one person is watching or twenty thousand, my goal is the same – to win and make a statement.”
Fighting for More Than a Belt
Both fighters share a common target beyond Wednesday night — to impress UFC scouts in attendance during fight week. As Pena put it, “There’s no better time than now to prove I belong there.”
Meanwhile, Darwish revealed that around 30 former UAE Warriors fighters have already advanced to global promotions, including the UFC and the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Everyone’s dream is ours. We’re not competing with the UFC, and we don’t want to. We celebrate every fighter who makes it there. The more that move to bigger organisations, the stronger our purpose becomes.
Magomedov, Mezhlumyan Headline Lightweight Title Bout
The headline clash sees Amru Magomedov of Russia face Martun Mezhlumyan of Armenia for the lightweight crown, as both aim to showcase their skills on a stage watched closely by UFC observers.
Maybe Dana White will see something interesting. Regardless of the result, this is the stage to show I’m ready. Mezhlumyan echoed the sentiment, calling the Warriors platform “a high-level opportunity to prove why we are among the best in the world.”
The UAE Warriors 64 card features fighters from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Central Asia, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s growing status as one of the world’s premier combat sports hubs.
