Brazilian welterweight Alex da Silva wasted no time in finishing Bagysh Zharmamatov at UAE Warriors 44 as he delivered a statement-making performance to put himself in the frame to challenge for the promotion’s welterweight title.
Da Silva needed just 41 seconds to submit Zharmamatov with a guillotine choke to secure a swift main event victory as he put himself on a two-fight win streak under the UAE Warriors banner and pressed his claims for a shot at the vacant 170-pound strap.
In the co-main event, China’s Baergeng Jieleyisi notched the 15th win of his pro career as he edged a split-decision against Canada’s Xavier Alaoui.
The pair went toe to toe for the full three-round duration as they traded big shots in a cracking contest. As the bout reached the final bell, both men thought they’d done enough to secure the victory, but it was Jieleyisi who took the win with scores of 30-27, 29-28, 28-29.
Elsewhere on the card, Russia’s Rashid Vagabov submitted Contender Series and Road to UFC competitor Qui Lun, Japan’s Yamato Fujita submitted Furkatbek Yokubov, and UAE Warriors Arabia champ Eslam Syaha scored a hard-fought decision win over Sweden’s Robin Roos.
There were also wins for Welsh Cage Warriors veteran Aaron Aby and South Africa’s Mark Hulme.
UAE Warriors 44: Official results
- Alex da Silva def. Bagysh Zharmamatov via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:41
- Baergeng Jieleyisi def. Xavier Alaoui via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
- Samandar Murodov def. Lucas Sampaio via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Rashid Vagabov def. Qiulun via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:45
- Eslam Abdul Baset def. Robin Roos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Yamato Fujita def. Furjatbek Yokubov via submission (guillotine choke)
- Shakhban Alkhasov def. Salamat Orozakunov via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:28
- Aaron Aby def. Joevincent So via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Mark Hulme def. Erkin Darmenov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Rustam Serbiev def. Anar Huseyinov via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:52
- Islam Reda def. Ernie Braca via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 0:50
- Baktygul Kurmanbekova def. Maria Eugenia Zbrun via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 28-27)
- Khotam Boynazarov def. Mikail Bayram via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:33