ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Veteran standouts Caio Machado and Tom Breese efficiently made weight on Friday, formally locking of their extremely anticipated showdown at UAE Warriors 67, set for Saturday night time on the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.
That includes 12 action-packed bouts and 24 of the fastest-rising skills in world combined martial arts, UAE Warriors 67 launches 2026 in emphatic trend for the Center East’s premier fight sports activities promotion.
Machado vs. Breese Headlines a Can’t-Miss Principal Occasion
The headliner is a matchup that might not look misplaced atop a UFC card, pairing two completed and still-dangerous gentle heavyweights whose conflict sparked main consideration throughout world MMA media when introduced.
Brazil’s Caio Machado (11-4) — a Dana White’s Contender Sequence winner — made a thunderous promotional debut final yr with a spectacular first-round flying knee knockout of Kevin Oumar. Remarkably sturdy, Machado has by no means been stopped in 15 skilled bouts.
Throughout the Octagon stands Tom Breese (20-7), a seasoned British veteran in his sixteenth yr of competitors. Breese owns 14 submission victories, 5 UFC wins, and championship success in each BAMMA and LFL. Getting into the bout in ominous type, Breese stays some of the harmful grapplers within the division.
This fundamental occasion is extensively thought to be one of many largest in current UAE Warriors historical past and serves as an ideal headliner to kick off the promotion’s 2026 calendar.
Chipfumbu vs. Ribeiro Elevated to Co-Principal Occasion
After medical issues compelled the cancellation of the scheduled co-main occasion between Akbarjon Islomboev and Ali Guliev, the featherweight conflict between Sylvester Chipfumbu (12-6) and Gustavo Ribeiro (7-1) has been elevated to co-main standing.
Chipfumbu enters because the reigning Intercontinental Featherweight Champion, although his belt won’t be on the road. The Zimbabwean impressed final July with a dominant title-winning efficiency in opposition to veteran Ali AlQaisi.
Brazilian newcomer Ribeiro, a nationwide kickboxing champion, makes his UAE Warriors debut and has publicly promised a fast first-round end. With contrasting kinds and excessive stakes, this bout has all of the elements to steal Struggle of the Evening honors.
Rashid Vagabov Returns With UFC Aspirations
Following a dominant however unfinished efficiency on Dana White’s Contender Sequence, Rashid Vagabov (14-2) returns for his fifth UAE Warriors look understanding a press release win is crucial. UFC President Dana White indicated Vagabov might earn one other look with a few decisive victories.
Standing in his means is Kazakhstan’s Sanzhar Adilov (14-2), a multiple-time Alash Satisfaction 125-pound champion, who has declared 2026 because the yr his profession explodes. With each fighters boasting elite grappling skillsets, followers can anticipate high-paced scrambles and razor-thin margins all through.
Berkhamov vs. Loureiro Guarantees Violence
Former Bellator, PFL, ACA, and ACB standout Mukhamed “Cherkes” Berkhamov (17-4) makes his UAE Warriors debut in opposition to explosive striker Jackson Loureiro (15-5-1) in a compelling conflict of wrestling and Muay Thai.
Berkhamov has been submitted simply as soon as in 21 fights and beforehand rode a 12-fight win streak earlier than struggling a setback in opposition to Lorenzo Larkin. Loureiro, in the meantime, enters recent off a first-round high-knee knockout in Montpellier that earned him the Dynamite Featherweight title.
If there’s one bout unlikely to succeed in the judges, that is it.
Principal Card Opens With Excessive-Stakes Catchweight Conflict
Kicking off the primary card is a catchweight bout between probably the most skilled fighter on the lineup, Rony “Ratinho” Henrique (20-14), and unbeaten Armenian prospect Moris Boleyan (8-0).
Henrique, a former four-division champion throughout a number of promotions, fought seven instances final yr. Boleyan returns from a two-year layoff having submitted all eight opponents, six within the first spherical. The stage is ready for a possible breakout second.
A Landmark Occasion for UAE Warriors
With 14 extra fighters competing on a loaded undercard and CEO Fouad Darwish saying an formidable 2026 occasion schedule spanning each MMA and Jiu-Jitsu, UAE Warriors 67 stands as the biggest and most important card within the promotion’s current historical past.
The highway to the largest yr but for Center Jap MMA begins Saturday night time.
UAE Warriors 67 – Full Struggle Card
Gentle Heavyweight: Caio Machado (11-4) vs. Tom Breese (20-7)
Featherweight: Sylvester Chipfumbu (12-6) vs. Gustavo Ribeiro (7-1)
Catchweight (59 kg): Rashid Vagabov (14-2) vs. Sanzhar Adilov (14-2)
Catchweight (79 kg): Mukhamed Berkhamov (17-4) vs. Jackson Loureiro (15-5)
Featherweight: Rony Henrique (20-14) vs. Moris Boleyan (8-0)
Gentle Heavyweight: Magomed Tuchalov (4-0) vs. Siyakudumiso Nomvemve (5-3)
Heavyweight: Gadzhi Abdulkadirov (6-2) vs. Sofiane Boukichou (12-9)
Catchweight (88 kg): Sharapudin Ziyaudinov (6-0) vs. Yusup Magomedov (10-1)
Catchweight (55 kg): Benita van Rooij (6-1) vs. Zulfiya Kurbashova (3-3)
Bantamweight: Murad Ibragimov (4-1) vs. Enkhjargal Banzaragch (5-5)
Middleweight: Ulugbek Rakhmonov (1-1) vs. Ayissi Bessala (0-0)
Catchweight (85.5 kg): Magomed Kurbanov (2-0) vs. Khabib Gaziev (3-2)
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and can also be a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer. He’s additionally the primary photographer for the 4CornersMafia Automobile Membership.
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