UAE Warriors 72 brings a title fight and heavyweight firepower to Abu Dhabi
UAE Warriors returns to Space42 Arena on July 23 with a card carrying international names, unbeaten prospects and two very different fights at the top. UAE Warriors 72: Chopurov vs. McLaren is headlined by undefeated bantamweight champion Asaf Chopurov defending against experienced Australian challenger Reece McLaren.
The co-main event may bring even more immediate danger. Former PFL heavyweight tournament winner Renan Ferreira makes his promotional debut against Russian finisher Khusein Adamov, with both men arriving in Abu Dhabi carrying records built largely on stoppages.
Renan Ferreira looks to restart his heavyweight climb
Ferreira’s best run remains one of the most destructive tournament campaigns in recent heavyweight MMA history. The 6-foot-8 Brazilian won three times in 2023 to capture the PFL heavyweight championship and its $1 million prize, finishing every opponent along the way. He then needed only 21 seconds to stop Ryan Bader in a champion-versus-champion matchup.
The road became much rougher after that. Ferreira was stopped by Francis Ngannou in their 2024 superfight before later falling short against Vadim Nemkov. The loss in Ngannou vs. Ferreira remains a brutal reminder of how unforgiving heavyweight MMA can be.
Francis Ngannou knocks Renan Ferreira out in the first round pic.twitter.com/gBF1GBEXXd
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) October 19, 2024
Abu Dhabi offers Ferreira a chance to turn the page. Eleven of his 13 victories have come by knockout or TKO, and he remains one of the division’s most frightening athletes when given room to extend his punches.
Khusein Adamov can finish the fight from almost anywhere
Adamov presents a different problem. The Akhmat Fight Club heavyweight has stopped 12 opponents across 14 victories, including seven knockouts and five submissions. Ten of those finishes came in the opening round.
His submission record is especially varied, with victories by guillotine, rear-naked choke, kimura, arm-triangle and triangle. Ferreira will want a clean kickboxing fight at range. Adamov has every reason to turn it into something messier, force clinches and test the Brazilian on the mat.
Asaf Chopurov defends against Reece McLaren in the main event
The championship headliner places Chopurov’s unbeaten 10-0 record against McLaren’s years of high-level experience. McLaren vs. Chopurov is the classic prospect-versus-veteran test: one man has never lost, while the other has spent his career facing established international opposition.
Chopurov can strengthen his claim as one of the promotion’s leading bantamweights. McLaren can leave Abu Dhabi with another championship and prove that experience still matters when the cage door closes.
Océane Samson faces Elene Loladze in an unbeaten prospect battle
One of the most intriguing fights below the headliners is Loladze vs. Samson. Both women enter at 3-0, meaning somebody’s unbeaten record will disappear. French prospect Océane Samson has attracted considerable attention, but Elene Loladze represents her most serious test to date.
🚨 Océane Samson (3-0), la française la plus prometteuse à mes yeux est de retour 🤩
— MMA Prospect (@mma_prospect) July 22, 2026
Demain, elle prend un gros test : Loladze (3-0) ⚔️#UAEWarriors72pic.twitter.com/Wy7B0CXbju
UAE Warriors 72 full fight card
Championship Main Event and Heavyweight Co-Main Event
Asaf Chopurov vs. Reece McLaren, bantamweight championship
Renan Ferreira vs. Khusein Adamov, heavyweight bout
UAE Warriors 72 Supporting Card
Ruslan Nazhmudinov vs. Murad Ramazanov
Ramazan Ragimov vs. Yazid Chouchane
Elene Loladze vs. Océane Samson
Sahil Qorxmaz-oglu Shakirov vs. Salih Muradov
Victor Nunes vs. Tumelo Manyamala
Shamidkhan Magomedov vs. Evgeny Morozov
Pavel Andrusca vs. Pengchu Gexi
Imamshafi Aliev vs. Gian Siqueira
Roman Gusev vs. Mohammed Saleh
UAE Warriors 72 FAQ
When is UAE Warriors 72?
UAE Warriors 72: Chopurov vs. McLaren takes place on July 23, 2026.
Where is UAE Warriors 72 taking place?
The event will be held at Space42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Who is fighting in the UAE Warriors 72 main event?
Undefeated champion Asaf Chopurov will defend his bantamweight title against Reece McLaren.
Is Renan Ferreira fighting at UAE Warriors 72?
Yes. Former PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira will make his UAE Warriors debut against Khusein Adamov.
Who is Khusein Adamov?
Adamov is a Russian heavyweight from Akhmat Fight Club who has earned 12 finishes in 14 professional victories, including seven knockouts and five submissions.
How many knockout wins does Renan Ferreira have?
Ferreira has recorded 11 knockout or TKO victories among his 13 professional wins.
What happened when Renan Ferreira fought Francis Ngannou?
Francis Ngannou defeated Ferreira by first-round knockout in their 2024 heavyweight superfight.
Is Océane Samson fighting at UAE Warriors 72?
Yes. Unbeaten French prospect Océane Samson faces fellow 3-0 fighter Elene Loladze.
How can fans watch UAE Warriors 72?
The event is scheduled to air live on UFC Fight Pass. As with all MMA events, the announced fight card remains subject to change.
