Abu Dhabi Warriors 3 marked the rebirth of a major promotion that will act as the backbone of professional MMA and the world’s window into Arab MMA organizations. 20 fighters from 16 different countries stormed into the capital of United Arab Emirates in an attempt to showcase their talent, and boy did they deliver. IPIC Arena welcomed the warriors with all the respect they deserve and in turn, the fighters repaid with a thrilling night of fights. World class submissions, and high level knockouts made the night unforgettable for fight fans.
After introducing the warriors to the respected crowd attending that night, Ahmed Al Darmaki made his way into the ring where he faced the Ukrainian, Gorodynets in the opening bout. Al Darmaki showcased an aggressive and refined version of himself as he pressured the Ukrainian before getting caught with an armbar in the second round.
Ion Pascu quickly went to work against Croatia’s Josip Perica delivering some heavy ground and pound forcing the referee to stop the fight at 1.43 minutes into the first round.
Third fight that evening was Muha Li and Martin Akhtar. These two put on a great show in just one round that night. Both fighters went head to head until Akhtar stylistically sunk in an armbar 5 seconds before the bell.
Seung Chan Hong dominated Maxim Ceban in a one-sided brawl that ended with some vicious ground and pound.
Lewis Long surely didn’t expect to cruise through Katahira that easily. Long managed to throw the Japanese, take his back and choke him out cold. All that in less than a minute, 45 seconds to be precise.
The prelims paved the way to a thrilling main card the started out with an emotional bout where Max Nunes TKO’ed Fabricio Monteiro with a vicious knee in under 1 minute after which Monteiro announced his retirement from the professional MMA world.
Waylon Lowe put an end to Vaso Bakocevic’s unorthodox attitude by outwrestling him and earning a unanimous decision win.
One of the most anticipated fights that evening was triggered by a raw staredown in the weigh ins. After being out wrestled by Magomedov, Karl Amoussou came back to snatch a slick armbar 3.43 minutes into the first round.
In the co-main event of the evening, Russia’s Sarnavskiy met the Canadian, Ronson in what was a back and forth crowd pleasing performance. Three rounds filled with strikes from all angles had the fight fans on their feet and the mats covered in sweat and blood.
Headlining ADW3 were MMA Veterans Rameau Sokoudjou and Paul Buentello .
Rameau Sokoudjou dictated the pace and dominated the first 2 rounds, yet in the third it was all Buentello who unleashed hell and managed a one of a kind TKO finish that night.
COME December! We could very well see all the victorious warriors test their skills again when the fourth installment of Abu Dhabi Warriors hits the capital once more.
