UAE Warriors 14 Full Card Breakdown
The United Arab Emirates is back with their last offering for Thanksgiving: UAE Warriors 14 goes down November 27th, at 12PM ET. Stationed in Abu Dhabi, the promotion returns with a whopping 14-fight card. Now let’s take a closer look at the warriors competing on the legendary card.
First Half of UAE Warriors 14 Main Card
First, newcomers will look to pick up their first professional victory when Rashad Dawood and Khamza Yamadaev lock horns. Just three weeks after Jason Kearn secured his first professional victory, he is back at UAE Warriors 14 to pick up where he left off against Youssef Al Housani. Then Russia and France will square off with Makkasharip Zaynukov facing Damien Lapilus. Another key lightweight bout, involves unbeaten, Atabek Abdimitalipov versus Hussein Salem. Contrary to the last style of fighting, Vinicius de Oliveira and Alexander Keshtov prefer striking over grappling. Following the bantamweights, flyweight action kicks off with Australian flyweight, Shannon Ross looking to make a statement against, Donovan Frelow.
The dangerous Dan Collins returns for battle to continue his undefeated streak, when he fights former Bellator MMA fighter, Mohammad Yahya. Action rolls on in the lightweight division, when the South Korean prospect Ho Taek Oh knuckles up against the streaking Cuban, Ronald Girones Sago. The next bout scheduled for UAE Warriors 14 is the Tristar product, Youssef Ghrairi taking on the Columbian born Gilber Ordoñez Huila.
Top of the UAE Warriors 14 Main Card
Mohamad Ghorabi looks to get back into the win column, but has a huge test in front of him: undefeated prospect, Shido Esperanca. Unquestionably a tough fight for Ghorabi, since three of Esperanca’s finish come by way of finish. Third from the top of the card, Xavier Alaoui and Juares Dea go to battle with a lot of pressure behind this bout since the vacant bantamweight belt is on the line. Finally, the co man event is an absolute banger, with the UAEW flyweight championship up for grabs. Competing for the flyweight belt, is Gabriela Campo who has not lost a contest since 2013. Nonetheless, Manon Fiorot intends to bury that notion by keeping her six fight win streak alive. Ultimately the card will end with an exciting bantamweight bout between Victor Nunes and Siyovush Gulmamadov to leave fans wanting more.
Rashed Dawood vs. Khamza Yamadaev
Both athletes enter without a record, therefore examining their skillsets would be too speculative.
Youssef Al Housani vs. Jason Kearns
With a 21 day turnaround from his pro debut, there’s a lot of attention around Kearns. Interestingly, Kearns lives in Abu Dhabi now which makes training more accessible. The engineering teacher has a tall task in front of him, named Al Housani. So far, Al Housani has looked near invincible in the UAE Warriors promotion, with back to back finishes. Finally he will have the chance to continue the trend at UAE Warriors 14. Conversely, the Engineering teacher, Housani will surely try to develop a formula to stop the Irish, Kearns.
Makkasharip Zaynukov vs. Damien Lapilus
Zaynukov is on a five fight win streak, with a few nasty doctor stoppages to his name. Also another factor making him an imposing figure is that he’s never been finished. However, facing the Russian is Lapilus, who has his back against the wall after alternating wins and losses for most of his career. Indeed, an uphill battle, but Lapilus does have power in his hands for a definite path to victory.
Atabek Abdimitalipov vs. Hussein Salem
Since he is 4-0, Abdimitalipov will surely be looking towards title contention after another win. In his way, he faces a crafty grappler off his back but also a decent striker in Salem. Despite those factors, taking on the unbeaten Kyrgyzstan athlete is no easy task. Since Abdimitalipov’s debut in 2016, he has finished three of his last four fights. In contrast, there are few avenues for victory on Salem’s side. For instance, his triangle choke victory over Ayad Shaker is a useful weapon and a possibility. Even so Abdimitalipov’s activity in 2020 may very well assist him in getting the victory this time around.
Vinicius de Oliveira vs. Alexander Keshtov
Keshtov is a solid prospect out of Russia in the bantamweight division. Subsequently he’s shown such when he defeated Jason Quigg with a spinning heel kick knockout. With only a single loss on his record coming by way of decision, Keshtov seems to handle lay offs incredibly well. Now facing the Russian, Oliveira has power in his hands and is riding a two fight win streak. Additionally, Oliveira carved his experience through the tough Rio Grande do Sul Regional circuit. Soon we will find out if Keshtov can bounce back from his first defeat.
Shannon Ross vs. Donavon Frelow
Before his recent, rear naked choke loss, Ross was on a four fight win streak. The Australian Ross has very heavy hands, and always brings aggression. Frankly, Frelow is on a skid, but there is huge upside potential with him. Despite his two recent setbacks, they were against very solid opponents in Ricky Simón and Bekbulat Magomedov. Each of these bouts ended in split decisions, and Frelow definitely could have learned and improved on those discrepancies shown during those two losses.
Dan Collins vs. Mohammad Yahy
Unbeaten Collins is a force, with six wins in a row and the last three coming in the first round, all by strikes. A vicious striker with effective elbows, Collin’s is a downright scary featherweight. However, Yahya has dealt with top tier talent for most of his career, even competing in the Bellator MMA promotion. Bottom line, they both have great finishing ability lending to the idea that this fight will have an emphatic ending.
Islam Mamedov vs. Martun Mezhlumyan
With an 18-1-1 record, there is definite intrigue surrounding Mamedov as he faces Mezhlumyan, who sports an 8 fight win streak. Mezhlumyan has looked near perfect, by stopping eight of his last nine opponents. The difference maker in the bout, is the wealth of experience Mamedov has gained through his long career.
Ho Taek Oh vs. Ronald Sago
Oh is a fast starter, however against a striker with as heavy hands as Sago it just seems disastrous. Therefore it will be important for Oh to utilize more defensive tactics. Additionally, Oh will have to be aware of distance control and close the gap and look to clinch as much as possible. Ideally, Sago needs to be tired out, most of his finishes come in the first two rounds, so if the available shots do present themselves for Oh, it will come late.
Youssef Ghrairi vs. G. Ordoñez Huila
Hulia is riding a two fight win streak, violent finisher and entertaining. Only 29 years of age and fighting out of Columbia, Hulia is loking to stop the hype behind Ghrairi. While a Tristar student to Firas Zihabi now, before then, Ghrairi has been busy racking up seven professional wins most by punches. Now it’s time to compare styles and see which athlete comes out on top at UAE Warriors 14.
Shido Esperanca vs. Mohamad Ghorabi
The “Machine” Esperanca, is undefeated. The Angola native loves to get the opponent to the mat. Then he is able to dispatch of them by ground and pound or rear naked choke. Conversely, Ghorabi is on a two fight losing skid. Ghorabi’s back is against the wall. One thing is for sure, Ghorabi needs to maintain distance.
Xavier Alaoui vs. Juares Dea
Top Canadian prospect, Alaoui takes on Dea for the vacant bantamweight title. Judging by their win streaks each will enter with great momentum. Being able to train at Tristar will only add to his strategical game. For instance, Alaoui’s submission ability may be troubling because it uses unorthodox techniques like foot locks and heel hooks. In contrast, Dea is also a prominent finisher so the fight should make for an epic bantamweight showdown.
Gabriela Campo vs. Manon Fiorot – UAE Warriors 14 Co Main Event
Since losing to Silvina Peralta by TKO, Campo has made huge adjustments. Now she is on a six fight win streak, and the last five ended by strikes or submission. She has heavy hands a elusive movement for the division. However, fighting against her, French powerhouse Fiorot, who has finished the majority of her bouts respectively too. One thing is for sure, violence will ensue and true technique will be on display for the chance at flyweight gold at UAE Warriors 14.
Victor Nunes vs. S. Gulmamadov – UAE Warriors 14 Main Event
Training out of Nova União, Nunes is undoubtedly gaining experience. The Brazilian athlete has struggled recently after a good run on the Brazilian regional circuit. In his path, Gulmamadov will look to add to his two fight win streak. Since most of Gulmamdov’s fights have gone to decision, he will need to use that ring generalship as a tool against Nunes. However, Gulmamadov will go for a submission if it’s available.
