Tag: Ali Alqaisi

Ali Alqaisi vs. Samuel Bark featherweight title fight headlines UAE Warriors 50

Ex-UFC fighter Ali Alqaisi will defend his UAE Warriors featherweight title in May.

Ex-UFC fighter [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag] will defend his UAE Warriors featherweight title in May.

Alqaisi (15-7), the UAE Warriors and UAE Warriors Arabia 145-pound champion, meets Samuel Bark (9-2) in the UAE Warriors 50 main event May 18 in Abu Dhabi.

In the co-main event, undefeated Russian Shakhban Alkhasov (8-0) meets former title challenger Tahir Abdullaev (16-2) of Azerbaijan for the vacant welterweight title.

A person with knowledge of the matchups informed MMA Junkie of the bookings Wednesday but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Alqaisi is coming off a stoppage loss to Walter Cogliandro in a catchweight bout this past October at UAE Warriors 45. Prior to that, the Jordanian fighter was on a three-fight winning streak.

Bark has competed under the Cage Warriors and OKTAGON MMA banner. Winner of six of his past seven, the Swedish fighter is coming off a split decision win over Vladimir Lengal December at OKTAGON 50.

UFC veterans in MMA, boxing and bareknuckle action Oct. 17-21

Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC travels across the globe to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294.

The pay-per-view event at the Etihad Arena features [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] 2 for the lightweight title in the main event, and [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] in the co-feature.

Elsewhere, many other combat sports events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA Oct. 17-22.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

16 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2023

It’s hard to make it to the UFC once, let alone a second time, but these fighters have a chance in 2023.

It’s hard to make it to the UFC.

Thousands of professional fighters try every year – and most fail. For a small percentage, however, they sign their names on the dotted line to fight for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

Sometimes the opportunity comes a bit too soon. Other times, they’re faced with difficult matchups that time proves were bigger challenges than originally anticipated.

When the pink slip comes and a fighter departs the promotion, there is often a phrase they hear on the way out: “Go get a few more wins, and the UFC will consider bringing you back.”

Easier said than done.

For the vast majority, they won’t be back. However, it’s not impossible. A number of fighters have done it over the years. Just look at UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He was released from the promotion, built his way back, became a contender, and then won a UFC title.

In recent memory, others like Brandon Davis, Jesse Ronson, Nicolas Dalby, Chase Sherman, Sean Soriano, and Dustin Jacoby have reinforced the possibility.

With the new year upon us, here are 16 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2023.

Note: Fighters considered for this list had to have competed in at least one UFC bout.

UFC veterans in MMA, boxing and bareknuckle action March 17-19

Check out which UFC veterans are competing in combat sports events across the globe this weekend.

The UFC is across the pond for a massive pay-per-view in London, UFC 286. The event takes place at The 02, featuring a title welterweight title rematch between [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] and [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag], in what will be their third overall bout against each other.

Elsewhere, many other MMA events are taking place that feature familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

These 21 veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA boxing this week from March 17-19.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

‘Oh my God, what is happening!?!’: Watch UAE Warriors 30 go off the rails after main event

Ali Alqaisi had to be separated from Jesse Arnett, who escaped out of the cage after his win.

Here’s the thing about MMA: It could be in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, some regional promotion’s event, somewhere overseas, wherever – you just never know when some nonsense could transpire.

It happened Saturday at UAE Warriors 30 in Abu Dhabi after [autotag]Jesse Arnett[/autotag] became the promotion’s new featherweight champion with a win over former UFC fighter [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag]. The result came under unfortunate circumstances after the cageside doctor stopped the fight because of a cut to Alqaisi.

Video shows that Alqaisi was visibly upset about the doctor’s decision and yelling at the referee for the stoppage. Arnett intervenes and seen says something to Alqaisi as he berates the referee. At that moment, Alqaisi turns his attention to Arnett, and then chaos ensues.

You can watch the situation unfold in the below (via Twitter):

What’s funny is that this didn’t quite reach Khabib Nurmagomedov jumping the cage and attacking Conor McGregor’s corner at UFC 229 or the infamous “Strikeforce: Nashville” brawl with Jake Shields and Jason Miller in 2010, but you’d never know it from the cageside commentator screaming at the top of his lungs.

“OH MY GOD, WHAT IS HAPPENING!?!”

Juuust a bit overdramatic, we think.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

UAE Warriors returns with July doubleheader featuring two title fights

Two title fights will take place at back-to-back UAE Warriors events in July.

Two title fights will take place at back-to-back UAE Warriors events in July.

UAE Warriors 30 on July 2 will be headlined by a featherweight title fight featuring champion [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag] (12-5) against Canada’s [autotag]Jesse Arnett[/autotag] (19-8).

UAE Warriors 31: Arabia, which takes place July 3, will be headlined by an inaugural Arabia middleweight title fight between [autotag]Tarek Suleiman[/autotag] (12-8) and Egypt’s [autotag]Eslam Syaha[/autotag] (12-2). The cards will be held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and stream live on UFC Fight Pass.

A person with knowledge of the matchups recently informed MMA Junkie of the bookings but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Alqaisi has won four straight since parting ways with the UFC in 2020. The Jordanian fighter has captured three featherweight titles along the way: the UAE Warriors belt, the Titan FC belt, and most recently the UAE Warriors Arabia belt when he defeated Ahmed Faress in March. Meanwhile, Arnett snapped a two-fight losing skid with a unanimous decision win over Gadzhimurad Gasanguseynov at UAE Warriors 28 in March.

Currently riding a three-fight winning streak all by finish, Syaha will get his biggest opportunity to date when he meets Arab MMA pioneer Suleiman. Syria’s Suleiman saw his three-fight winning streak snapped when he lost to Will Fleury for the inaugural UAE Warriors middleweight title in March but still currently holds the UAE Warriors light heavyweight title.

Ali Alqaisi meets Ahmed Faress for inaugural UAE Warriors Arabia featherweight title

Ali AlQaisi will look to collect a third title since departing from the UFC.

[autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag] will look to collect a third title since departing from the UFC.

Alqaisi (11-5), the Titan FC and UAE Warriors featherweight champion, will take on [autotag]Ahmed Faress[/autotag] (16-4) for the inaugural UAE Warriors Arabia 145-pound title. The matchup will co-headline UAE Warriors 27: Arabia on March 25. The card takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and streams live on UFC Fight Pass.

A person with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Since parting ways with the UFC in 2020, Jordan’s Alqaisi moved up to 145 pounds and has won three straight. Alqaisi defeated Andrew Whitney to capture the vacant Titan FC featherweight title this past August, then turned around just two months later to capture the UAE Warriors featherweight title by beating Do Gyeom Lee at UAE Warriors 24.

Faress is coming off a split decision loss to Edward Kelly at “ONE Championship: Full Blast” this past May. Prior to that, the 30-year-old Egyptian fighter scored back-to-back stoppages over Amir Nour and veteran Alan Philpott.

12 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2022

It’s hard to make it to the UFC. It’s even more difficult to make it a second time.

It’s hard to make it to the UFC.

Thousands of professional fighters try every year – and most fail. For a small percentage, however, they sign their names on the dotted line to fight for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

Sometimes the opportunity comes a bit too soon. Other times, they’re faced with difficult matchups that time proves were bigger challenges than originally anticipated.

When the pink slip comes and a fighter departs the promotion, there is often a phrase they hear on the way out: “Go get a few more wins, and the UFC will consider bringing you back.”

Easier said than done.

For the vast majority of those departing the UFC, they won’t be back. However, it’s not impossible. A number of fighters have done it over the years. Just look at UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He was released from the promotion, built his way back, became a contender, and then won a UFC title. Others like Brandon Davis, Jesse Ronson, Nicolas Dalby, Chase Sherman, Sean Soriano, and Dustin Jacoby have reinforced it being possible.

With the new year upon us, here are 12 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2022.

Note: Fighters considered for this list had to have competed in at least one UFC bout.

UFC on ESPN+ 37 medical suspensions: Cory Sandhagen’s win comes with a potential cost

Cory Sandhagen was victorious in the UFC on ESPN+ 37 main event, but his win came at a cost.

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] was victorious in the UFC on ESPN+ 37 main event, but his win came at a cost.

Taking on fellow top bantamweight contender [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] on Saturday, Sandhagen (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) picked up a second-round TKO via a spinning wheel kick and punches. Against Moraes (23-7-1 MMA, 5-3 UFC), however, Sandhagen sustained an eye injury that could put him out of action for 180 days.

On Monday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

Also receiving potential six-month suspensions are [autotag]Tom Breese[/autotag], [autotag]Rodrigo Nascimento[/autotag], [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag], [autotag]Tony Kelley[/autotag], and [autotag]Omar Morales[/autotag] for injuries suffered in their fights Saturday.

UFC on ESPN+ 37 took place at Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The event streamed on ESPN+.

Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 37 medical suspensions:

  • Cory Sandhagen: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Marlon Moraes: Suspended 45 days for TKO with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for a right eyebrow laceration with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days for a knockout with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Alan Baudot[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for TKO with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for left eyelid laceration with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Tom Breese: Suspended 180 days or until right knee MRI and left tibia/fibula x-rays are cleared by a doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]K.B. Bhullar[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for TKO with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Rodrigo Nascimento: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days for right scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Impa Kasanganay: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended 60 days for knockout with no contact for 45 days.
  • Tony Kelley: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow MRI is and right tibia/fibula x-ray are cleared by doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Omar Morales: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow MRI, left tibia/fibula X-ray, and left ankle X-ray are cleared by a doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Stephanie Egger[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Tagir Ulanbekov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for right eyebrow laceration with no contact for 21 days.

[vertical-gallery id=558032]

[vertical-gallery id=558030]

Ali Alqaisi vs. Tony Kelley added to UFC’s Oct. 10 fight card

A bantamweight matchup between Ali Alqaisi and Tony Kelley is the latest addition to the UFC’s Oct. 10 lineup.

A bantamweight matchup is the latest addition to the UFC’s Oct. 10 lineup.

The UFC has added [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tony Kelley[/autotag] to the event, which is expected to take place at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

MMA Junkie confirmed the booking with a person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA DNA was first to report the news.

Alqaisi (8-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Jordan’s first UFC fighter, was narrowly edged out by Irwin Rivera in his promotional debut earlier this month. Prior to that, he was on a five-fight winning streak, with three of his wins coming by submission.

Kelley (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to fellow newcomer Kai Kamaka at UFC 252 in an action-packed contest where both men earned a “Fight of the Night” bonus. Kelley will be moving down to 135 pounds to take on Alqaisi.

With the addition, the latest Oct. 10 lineup includes:

  • Marlon Moraes vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Edson Barboza vs. Sodiq Yusuff
  • Markus Perez vs. Rodolfo Vieira
  • Seungwoo Choi vs. Youssef Zalal
  • Ben Rothwell vs. Marcin Tybura
  • Thomas Almeida vs. Alejandro Perez
  • Tracey Cortez vs. Bea Malecki
  • Chris Daukaus vs. Rodrigo Nascimento
  • Abu Azaitar vs. Joaquim Buckley
  • Ali Alqaisi vs. Tony Kelley