Ali Al Qaisi remains on course to regain UAE Warriors featherweight title

Jordanian secures unanimous decision to earn a shot at the promotion’s international belt

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  Ali Al Qaisi celebrates after beating Vicente Vargas by unanimous decision in the featherweight main event at UAE Warriors 57, at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi. All images by Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Al Qaisi lands a punch on Vargas in Abu Dhabi.

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  Jordanian Al Qaisi lands a punch on Peruvian Vargas during his victory at UAE Warriors 57.

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  Al Qaisi and Vargas rumble during their featherweight bout.

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  Al Qaisi and Vargas in their UAE Warriors 57 bout

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  Vargas walks to the cage before his fight against Al Qaisi.

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  Al Qaisi before the fight

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  Al Qaisi is momentarily pinned by Vargas

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  Al Qaisi and Vargas during their featherweight bout.

Ali Al Qaisi moved closer to regaining his UAE Warriors featherweight title after a unanimous decision over Peruvian Vicente Vargas at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi on Friday night.

The win means Al Qaisi is in line for a title shot against Samuel Bark, the Swede who dethroned the Jordanian by a unanimous decision in March last year.

Al Qaisi held both the Arabia and International crowns of the Abu Dhabi promotion at that time and urged the promotion to set up the title fight as quickly as possible.

“I have come out of this fight against Vicente and I just can’t wait to grab the belt,” Al Qaisi said as he celebrated his first success after two successive defeats, the first one to Italian Walter Cogliandro in a non-title contest and then against Bark.

“I was devastated after those two results because the two title belts I held in the promotion were very close to my heart. I’m back now stronger than ever as everyone saw me tonight. I really want that belt back soon and I’m going to get it for sure.”

Al Qaisi, who still holds the Arabia belt, stuck to his game plan against Vargas with a controlled performance. “When you are aware you have the decision in the bag, there wasn’t any need to go overboard. I think I’m in good shape to even get into the cage again in short notice,” he added.

The result stretched Al Qaisi’s record in the UAE Warriors to 8-3 (win/loss) since his release from the UFC after two defeats in 2020, taking his overall record 16-8.

A special guest watching the action on the night was the American comedian and television host Steve Harvey who was also celebrating his 68th birthday.

Harvey is set to play a role in the UAE Warriors in the foreseeable future, saying: “I don't like to let the cat out the bag too early, but I think I'll be involved with Palms Sports on several levels.

“What you have is a great product here. I think all you need is the right amount of spotlight put on it. And I just happen to be in the spotlight business.

“So, you know, we bring a little bit of Hollywood to this thing and really blow it up and let people meet some of these great fighters that you have over here.”

In the night's other main action, Asaf Chopurov produced one of the most impressive performances.

The young Azerbaijani, 23, showed immense grappling skills to submit Brazilian Wanderly Rosa in the third round with a rear naked choke in the catchweight 63-kilogram weight, the highlight of the 13-fight card.

Chopurov slipped and wriggled through several difficult situations including a knee lock that appeared to be his end before emerging the winner on his promotion debut to stretch his perfect record.