MMA

UAE Warriors 67: Caio Machado vs. Tom Breese makes headlines Huge card in Abu DhabiUAE Warriors 67: Caio Machado vs. Tom Breese makes headlines Huge card in Abu Dhabi

Published

5 months ago

February 1, 2026

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Featured veterans Caio Machado AND Tom Breese they successfully made weight on Friday, officially confirming their long-awaited showdown at United Arab Emirates Warriors 67scheduled for Saturday evening at ADNEC Center in Abu Dhabi.

Contains 12 exhilarating fights AND 24 of the fastest rising talents in the world’s mixed martial artsUAE Warriors 67 kicks off 2026 in a mighty way, promoting the most essential combat sports promotion in the Middle East.

Machado vs. Breese headlines a can’t-miss main event

The headliner is a fight that wouldn’t look out of place on a UFC card, bringing together two talented and still risky lightweight heavyweights whose clash attracted a lot of attention from the global MMA media when announced.

Brazil Caio Machado (11-4) -A Winner of the Dana White Contender Series — made a spectacular promotional debut last year flying knee knockout in the first round Kevin Oumar. Machado is extremely tough he was never arrested in 15 professional fights.

On the other side of the Octagon stands Tom Breese (20-7)a seasoned British veteran in his 16th edition of the competition. Breese is the owner 14 wins by submissionfive UFC wins and championship success in both BAMMA AND LFL. Coming into the fight in ominous form, Breese remains one of the most risky grapplers in the division.

This main event is widely regarded as one of the biggest in recent UAE Warriors history and is the perfect headliner to kick off the 2026 promotional calendar.

Yellow vs. Ribeiro advanced to the main event

After health issues forced the cancellation of a planned co-main event in between Akbarion Islamoev AND Ali Gulievfeatherweight clash between Sylvester Gray (12-6) AND Gustavo Ribeiro (7-1) was elevated to second major status.

Chipumbu enters as the reigning champion Intercontinental featherweight championalthough his belt won’t be on the line. The Zimbabwean impressed last July with a dominant performance to clinch the title against the veterans But AlQaisi.

Brazilian newcomer Ribeiro, a national champion in kickboxingis making his debut for the UAE Warriors and has publicly promised to finish the first round quickly. With contrasting styles and high stakes, this fight has all the elements to steal Fight of the Night crown.

Rashid Vagabov returns with UFC aspirations

After a dominant but unfinished performance at Dana White’s Challenger Series, Rashid Wagabov (14-2) returns for the fifth time with the UAE Warriors, knowing that victory is crucial. UFC President Dana White indicated that Vagabov could get another look with a couple of decisive victories.

Kazakhstan stands in his way Sanzhar Adilov (14-2)multiple Alash Pride 125-pound championwho announced 2026 as the year of his career’s flourishing. With both fighters boasting elite grappling skills, fans can expect a fast-paced fight and razor-sharp edges.

Berkhamov vs. Loureiro promises violence

Former Bellator, PFL, ACA and ACB star Mukhamed “Cherkes” Berkhamov (17-4) makes his debut for the UAE Warriors against an explosive striker Jackson Loureiro (15-5-1) in a fascinating clash of wrestling and Muay Thai.

Berkhamov has been submitted only once in 21 fights, and before that he rode on A streak of 12 straight wins before you fail Lorenzo Larkin. Meanwhile, Loureiro comes in fresh knockout on knees in the first round in Montpellier, which earned him an award Dynamite featherweight title.

If there’s one fight that probably won’t make it to the judges, it’s this one.

The main card begins with a high-stakes catchweight clash

The main card will start with a catchweight fight between the most experienced fighter on the line-up, Rony “Ratinho” Henrique (20-14)and the undefeated perspective of the Armenians Morris Boleyan (8-0).

Henrique fought, a former four-division champion in multiple promotions last year seven times. Boleyan returns after a two-year break he submitted all eight opponentssix in the first round. The stage is set for a potential breakthrough moment.

A landmark event for the UAE warriors

WITH 14 additional fighters competing on a loaded undercard and CEO Fouad Darwish announcing an ambitious 2026 event schedule that includes both MMA and Jiu JitsuUAE Warriors 67 is the biggest and most essential card in the promotion’s recent history.

The road to the biggest year in MMA history in the Middle East begins on Saturday night.

UAE Warriors 67 – full fight card

Lightweight heavyweight: Caio Machado (11-4) vs. Tom Breese (20-7)
Featherweight: Sylvester Chipumbu (12-6) vs. Gustavo Ribeiro (7-1)
Fishing weight (59 kg): Rashid Vagabov (14-2) vs. Sanzhar Adilov (14-2)
Fishing weight (79 kg): Mukhamed Berkhamow (17-4) vs. Jackson Loureiro (15-5)
Featherweight: Rony Henrique (20-14) vs. Morris Boleyan (8-0)
Lightweight heavyweight: Magomed Tuchalov (4-0) vs. Praise and praise (5-3)
Heavyweight: Gadzhi Abdulkadirov (6-2) vs. Sofiane Boukichou (12-9)
Fishing weight (88 kg): Sharapudin Ziyaaudinov (6-0) vs. Yusup Magomedov (10-1)
Fishing weight (55 kg): Beniita van roij (6-1) vs. Dhulfiya Kurbashova (3-3)
Bantamweight: Murad Ibragimov (4-1) vs. Enkhjargal Banzaragch (5-5)
Medium weight: Ulugbek Rahmonov (1-1) vs. Ayissi Bessala (0-0)
Fishing weight (85.5 kg): Magomed Kurbanov (2-0) vs. Khabib Gaziev (3-2)

MMA

Jordan Burroughs faces Sean Brady in RAF 12 main event next month

Published

20 hours ago

July 4, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Jordan Burroughs faces Sean Brady in RAF 12 main event next month

Wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs finally has an opponent for his RAF debut, and it's someone MMA fans know well.

On Friday, Real American Freestyle announced that Burroughs, who signed with the promotion last month, will face UFC welterweight Sean Brady in the main event of RAF 12 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Aug. 22.

Widely considered one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time, Burroughs was a two-time national champion in college for Nebraska before transitioning to the senior circuit, where he dominated the 74-kg weight class, winning the World Championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. The highlight of Burroughs' wrestling career is his gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. After setbacks in 2016 and 2020, Burroughs moved up to 79 kgs, where he won the World Championship in 2021 and 2022.

Burroughs, 37, last competed at the 2024 World Championships, losing to multiple-time world medalist Mohammad Nokhodi.

Brady is one of the top welterweights competing in MMA right now. Though he doesn't hail from a traditional wrestling background, Brady has proven himself to be a strong wrestler in his MMA and grappling career. Most recently, he defeated Joaquin Buckley at UFC 328 in May. This is his RAF debut.

MMA

Jordan Burroughs faces Sean Brady in RAF 12 main event next month

Published

20 hours ago

July 4, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs finally has an opponent for his RAF debut, and it's someone MMA fans know well.

Burroughs, 37, last competed at the 2024 World Championships, losing to multiple-time world medalist Mohammad Nokhodi.

MMA

MMA Fighting’s 2026 Submission of the Midyear: Murtazali Magomedov’s mind-blowing Scottish twister

Published

21 hours ago

July 4, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

MMA Fighting’s 2026 Submission of the Midyear: Murtazali Magomedov’s mind-blowing Scottish twister

Halfway through 2026 and MMA has seen no shortage of memorable manglings.

Sure, we've yet to see a major title fight decided by a submission yet, but what's great about the mixing of the martial arts is that sometimes you see some of the most amazing finishes happen when you least expect it, and that's doubly true when it comes to fighters forcing their opponents to tap out.

Six months into the year, we've seen all kinds of submissions from airtight chokes to body-bending holds to classic armbars, so we had plenty of options to choose from when deciding which was the best for our Midyear awards. In the end, we landed on a Dana White Contender Series signing making a debut that will be tough to top, a talented flyweight contender putting an exclamation point on an impressive performance against one of his division's most dangerous spoilers, and never-before-seen-in-the-UFC leg lock courtesy of a streaking strawweight who's proving she's more than just a meme machine.

So let's look at MMA Fighting's top-3 submissions of 2026 so far.

No. 1: Murtazali Magomedov vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (UFC Vegas 119)

You could be forgiven for mistaking Murtazali Magomedov for a striker.

For many fans, their first introduction to Magomedov came on the Contender Series, where he showed slick hands to put away Brahyam Zurcher and earn a UFC contract. Even his last Octagon League featherweight championship defense came courtesy of a hellacious knockout knee up the middle. Magomedov might be a wrestler, but he certainly doesn't shy away from throwing hammers on the feet.

However, his UFC debut reminded everyone he has a dangerous submission game. Once Magomedov put Melsik Baghdasaryan on the mat, he didn't settle for a pedestrian rear-naked choke or hunt for a joint lock; no, that wouldn't be satisfying enough. Instead, he waited for Baghdasaryan to turn into his body lock, trapping him halfway through, and then twisting him in such a way that his upper half threatened to separate from his lower half.

The official call was Scottish twister and the official result was Magomedov putting the 145-pound division on notice that he is not to be messed with when it comes to grappling.

No. 2: Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson (UFC Baku)

Asu Almabayev is so close to breaking into that elite tier of flyweights and he moved one step closer to cementing a spot with his latest win.

Kazakhstan's Almabayev has been a healthy favorite in his past couple of fights, but it's one thing to look good on paper and another to look good inside the octagon. For two rounds, against flyweight kingmaker Charles Johnson, Almabayev showed off a complete game, especially his superior wrestling.

Up on the cards heading into Round 3, Almabayev could have cruised to a decision win. Why risk giving Johnson even the slightest window for a comeback considering his history of upsets (UFC champion Joshua Van and Lone'er Kavanagh know all too well how dangerous Johnson is) when you're in control of the cards? With less than two minutes left in the fight, Almabayev took advantage of Johnson attempting to stand up out of back control, snatched Johnson's leg to break his base, and then utilized a classic Suloev stretch to yank his foot way over his head. Tap or say goodbye to your hamstring.

With just one loss in eight UFC appearances, don't be surprised if this is the performance that pushes Almabayev towards an eventual title shot.

No. 3: Alice Ardelean vs. Polyana Viana (UFC Vegas 117)

Is Alice Ardeleanâ€¦ good?

Even the most positive-minded fight fan (me!) had a difficult time reconciling Ardelean being signed to the UFC in 2024. Her two claims to fame were her considerable social media following (millions are subscribed to Ardelean's socials for her viral reaction face) and having previously lost to Zhang Weili. Her pro record was 9-5. And then she lost to Shauna Bannon and Melissa Martinez. Like, what are we doing?

Then something weird happened. Ardelean stuck to it. She could have settled for using a brief UFC run to further boost her profile, but she actually started winning fights. A Fight of the Night-winning performance against Rayanne dos Santos. Another decision nod over Montserrat Conejo. And then a matchup with Polyana Viana, a struggling veteran, but a woman that knows a thing or too about internet notoriety.

Ardelean made sure both of them went viral again. With Ardelean in top position, Viana countered with a body lock from bottom position, aiming to control Ardelean's posture. However, what she didn't know was that Ardelean is terminally online and guess what? That's a pretty dangerous base for MMA in 2026.

With Viana's foot tucked between her legs, Ardelean turned body lock defense into leg lock offense and soon it was Viana being forced to signal her submission.

I don't know if Ardelean ever becomes a serious contender. I don't know if she even comes close to cracking the top 15. But she's already made her mark, becoming the first fighter ever to say that they successfully scored a Capsule Lock submission in a UFC fight.