Abu Dhabi: Fighters competing in Tuesday’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) spectacular in Abu Dhabi have been urged not to “fight safe” and to “fight crazy” to satisfy UAE combat sport fans’ lust for visceral thrills in the ring.
Combatants from 13 different countries will face each other in 10 bouts in different weight categories at Abu Dhabi Warriors 4 at the IPIC Arena at Zayed Sports City, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 people.
And given the typically hyperbolic rhetoric spouted at the pre-event press conference on Monday, those who attend the free extravaganza from 7pm have been a promised a night of gloriously unfettered action.
“This is not only the greatest sport in the world but also the greatest entertainment industry,” Grant Waterman, the tournament referee, told an audience including fighters at the Hilton Capital Grand Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Monday. “So let’s show the fans how great MMA is and do something special. Do not fight safe; fight crazy and entertain everyone.
“We think we have managed to arrange a fight card which will deliver exciting match-ups,” added Lubomir Guedjev, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Warriors, which is operated by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and founded in 2012.
“We have an amazing bundle of fighters of amazing quality and of diverse nationalities.”
Abu Dhabi Warriors 4 will be headlined by American heavyweight knockout artist, Paul ‘Headhunter’ Buentello (34-16, 21 KOs), who knocked out his previous opponent Rameau Sokoudjou at Abu Dhabi Warriors 3 in October 2015.
He will face his fellow countryman Eric Prindle (11-7, 6 KOs) and has vowed to deliver a thrilling performance.
“I had a great performance last year in Abu Dhabi, I have been training very hard training in camp,” said Buentello.
“I was offered many other fights, but I chose to come over here because of the support I received from everyone and the fans. I will give a great fight and great win to the fans again. Thank you for having me and I will come back again.”
“I hope to have a great fight and make everybody proud,” added Prindle.
After staging events in Bangkok, Thailand and Khabarovsk, Russia last year, organisers plan to expand in 2016.
“Abu Dhabi Warriors have planned six events for the 2016 calendar year; two Abu Dhabi Warriors events in Abu Dhabi [May and November] and four ‘Road To Abu Dhabi’ series events in Europe [August], Brazil [September], Malaysia [October] and Bangkok [November],” said Guedjev.
“We are working around the clock to make Abu Dhabi Warriors a sustainable and commercial product.”
