Abu Dhabi continues to establish itself as one of the world's leading destinations for combat sports, attracting elite fighters, international promotions and passionate fans from around the globe.
As the founder of MuayThai Holidays, my passion for martial arts has taken me to some incredible destinations over the years. From training at world-renowned Muay Thai camps in Thailand to experiencing international fight events, I am always looking for opportunities to explore the global combat sports community.
My latest adventure took me to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where I had the opportunity to attend UAE Warriors 74, held on Thursday, 22 October 2026, at the ADNEC Centre.
This four-night visit combined my passion for combat sports with my professional interests in travel and tourism, providing another fantastic insight into the growing influence of martial arts in the Middle East.
Flying from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways
My journey began on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, departing from London Heathrow Airport with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.
I had the pleasure of travelling aboard one of aviation's most iconic aircraft, the Airbus A380, the impressive double-decker aircraft that continues to be a favourite among travellers worldwide.
The A380 is an incredible piece of aviation engineering, offering two passenger decks and a spacious cabin environment designed for long-haul travel.
Etihad Airways has developed an excellent reputation for its onboard hospitality, and the A380 experience includes comfortable seating, inflight dining, refreshments and an extensive selection of entertainment.
With a flight time of approximately seven hours between London and Abu Dhabi, the onboard facilities make the journey an enjoyable part of the overall travel experience.
For anyone considering Abu Dhabi as their next holiday destination, Etihad Airways provides convenient direct connections from London Heathrow, making the UAE capital easily accessible for UK travellers.
Four Nights in Abu Dhabi – Staying at Al Seef Hotel
For my four-night stay, I chose Al Seef Hotel, conveniently located a short drive from the ADNEC Centre, where UAE Warriors 74 was taking place.
Location is always an important consideration when travelling for sporting events, particularly when attending evening competitions.
Having accommodation close to the venue made the arrangements straightforward, allowing me to focus on the main purpose of my visit while also enjoying time in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi offers an excellent selection of accommodation, from luxury beachfront resorts to practical city hotels, catering to visitors with different budgets and travel requirements.
As a travel professional, I always find it valuable to experience destinations and accommodation first-hand, helping us recommend suitable options to our clients.
UAE Warriors 74 – A Night of International MMA Action
The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly UAE Warriors 74, which took place on Thursday evening, 22 October 2026, at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.
UAE Warriors has become one of the most recognisable mixed martial arts promotions in the Middle East, providing an international platform for emerging talent and established professional fighters.
The organisation continues to attract athletes from across the world, showcasing different martial arts disciplines, including striking, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other forms of combat.
The event featured 12 professional MMA bouts, including an eagerly anticipated women's strawweight championship contest.
Watching professional MMA live is a completely different experience from watching it on television.
The atmosphere, fighter walkouts, anticipation surrounding each contest and energy around the cage make these events particularly memorable.
For someone who has spent many years involved in Muay Thai and the combat sports community, it was fantastic to experience another major international MMA promotion first-hand.
Special Guests – Alistair Overeem and Mauricio Ruffy
Adding even more excitement and prestige to the evening was the presence of two internationally recognised combat sports personalities, Alistair Overeem and Mauricio Ruffy, who attended UAE Warriors 74 as special guests.
Alistair Overeem is one of the most respected names in heavyweight combat sports, having competed at the highest levels of both mixed martial arts and kickboxing. A former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, DREAM Heavyweight Champion and K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, Overeem has built an extraordinary career spanning multiple organisations, including the UFC.
With his distinctive fighting style, powerful striking and decades of experience, Overeem remains an influential figure within the global martial arts community.
Also attending was Mauricio Ruffy, the exciting Brazilian MMA fighter who has made his mark competing in the UFC's lightweight division.
Known for his dynamic striking, aggressive fighting style and exciting performances, Ruffy represents a new generation of MMA athletes attracting international attention.
Having both an established combat sports legend and a current-generation UFC fighter attending the event demonstrated the growing international recognition of UAE Warriors.
For me, seeing names of this calibre associated with the promotion reinforced how important Abu Dhabi has become within the global combat sports landscape.
Their presence added another dimension to an already memorable evening and highlighted the ability of events such as UAE Warriors to bring together fighters, industry personalities and martial arts enthusiasts from around the world.
Main Event – Farida Abdueva Crowned Women's Strawweight Champion
The evening's headline contest saw Brazilian champion Michele Oliveira defend her UAE Warriors women's strawweight title against Kyrgyzstan's Farida Abdueva.
Both fighters entered the cage determined to establish themselves at the top of the division.
The championship contest went the full five rounds, with Abdueva ultimately securing victory through a unanimous judges' decision.
Farida Abdueva defeated Michele Oliveira by unanimous decision (Round 5, 5:00), becoming the new UAE Warriors women's strawweight champion.
The result represented a major achievement for Abdueva, improving her professional MMA record to nine victories and two defeats.
It was an excellent example of the determination, technical ability and mental resilience required to compete at championship level.
Co-Main Event – Sylvester Chipfumbu vs Abdelrahman Essam
Another highly anticipated contest featured Zimbabwe's Sylvester Chipfumbu, the UAE Warriors Intercontinental Featherweight Champion, facing Egypt's undefeated Abdelrahman Essam.
The contest went the full three rounds and finished in a draw, with neither fighter securing the victory.
Both athletes demonstrated the competitive level of international MMA, adding another intriguing chapter to the promotion's featherweight division.
UAE Warriors 74 – Complete Fight Results
Event: UAE Warriors 74
Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
Venue: ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Total fights: 12
| Fighters | Official result |
|---|---|
| Farida Abdueva vs Michele Oliveira | Abdueva won – Unanimous decision, Round 5 |
| Sylvester Chipfumbu vs Abdelrahman Essam | Draw – Round 3 |
| Rashid Vagabov vs Marciano Ferreira | Vagabov won – Submission (Twister), Round 1, 4:04 |
| Peter Danesoe vs Farkhod Kudratov | Danesoe won – TKO, Round 2, 3:02 |
| Bashir Mustafaev vs Ayissi Bessala | Mustafaev won – Unanimous decision |
| Maycon Alcino vs Sundet Aytkul | Alcino won – Submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 3:09 |
| Jaures Dea vs Marouane Bellagouit | Dea won – Unanimous decision |
| Murad Ibragimov vs Juscelino Pantoja | Ibragimov won – Submission (neck crank), Round 1, 4:47 |
| Flobater Fares vs Ruel Pañales | Fares won – Unanimous decision |
| Ata Atdayev vs Bekhzod Abdurakhimov | Atdayev won – TKO, Round 1, 1:50 |
| Lisa Zimmo vs Gase Sanita | Zimmo won – Unanimous decision |
| Amirchupan Taygibov vs Karim Labdou | Taygibov won – TKO, Round 1, 0:58 |
The card delivered a mixture of technical contests, submissions and explosive finishes.
Among the standout results were Rashid Vagabov's first-round Twister submission, Peter Danesoe's second-round stoppage and Amirchupan Taygibov's impressive 58-second opening-round TKO victory.
The variety of techniques on display demonstrated how MMA continues to evolve, bringing together athletes from different fighting backgrounds and martial arts disciplines.
Full event details: UAE Warriors 74 – Official Fight Card and Results
Abu Dhabi – A Growing Global Destination for Combat Sports
One of the main reasons for my visit was to gain a deeper understanding of how Abu Dhabi continues to develop its position within international combat sports.
The city has invested significantly in attracting major sporting events, developing world-class venues and creating opportunities for athletes and organisations.
UAE Warriors is an excellent example of this progress.
Under the leadership of Fouad Darwish, CEO of Palms Sports and Chairman of the UAE Warriors organising committee, the promotion continues to contribute to the region's expanding MMA landscape.
The attendance of international combat sports personalities such as Alistair Overeem and Mauricio Ruffy also demonstrates the promotion's growing reach and ability to attract leading figures from across the MMA community.
What particularly interests me is the relationship between combat sports and tourism.
Major events bring international athletes, coaches, teams, supporters and media into a destination, generating demand for airlines, hotels, transport and local experiences.
This is exactly where specialist sports tourism companies such as MuayThai Holidays can provide value.
For martial arts enthusiasts, travelling abroad is no longer simply about taking a holiday. It can be an opportunity to train, attend live events, discover new cultures and connect with like-minded individuals.
Abu Dhabi certainly has the infrastructure and international connections to support this growing market.
What This Means for MuayThai Holidays
When I founded MuayThai Holidays, my vision was to create a specialist travel company connecting martial arts enthusiasts with authentic training and travel experiences around the world.
Although our roots are firmly established in Muay Thai, the wider combat sports industry continues to create exciting opportunities.
Events such as UAE Warriors demonstrate the potential for specialist travel experiences combining international sporting events with flights, accommodation and destination activities.
Abu Dhabi is a particularly attractive option for UK travellers, with direct flights, year-round sunshine, excellent hotels and a growing international combat sports scene.
My visit provided valuable first-hand insight into the destination and opportunities to continue exploring the region's combat sports tourism potential.
Our aim remains simple: to help people turn their passion for martial arts into unforgettable travel experiences.
Final Thoughts – More Than Just a Fight Night
After four nights in Abu Dhabi, I returned home with another memorable experience and a greater appreciation for the continuing development of MMA in the UAE.
From travelling aboard Etihad Airways' impressive Airbus A380 to attending UAE Warriors 74, watching international athletes compete and having the opportunity to experience an event attended by combat sports stars Alistair Overeem and Mauricio Ruffy, this trip reinforced why I remain so passionate about combining travel with martial arts.
Congratulations to all the fighters who stepped into the cage and to the entire UAE Warriors and Palms Sports team for delivering another international MMA event.
I look forward to returning to Abu Dhabi, continuing to build connections across the combat sports community and exploring further opportunities for MuayThai Holidays.
Travel. Train. Fight. Explore.
Anuj Bahri
Founder – MuayThai Holidays
Discover Combat Sports Travel with MuayThai Holidays
Whether you're looking to train Muay Thai in Thailand, explore martial arts destinations or combine your next holiday with an international combat sports experience, our specialist travel team can help create your ideal trip.
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Event information: www.uaewarriors.com
MuayThai Holidays – Turning Your Passion for Martial Arts into Unforgettable Travel Experiences.