The headline bout at UAE Warriors 10 was put together at the 11th hour after a series of unfortunate incidents. Maciej Sosnowski and Abrihim El Sawi eventually entered the cage to close out the show on Friday night at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Originally, Roman Wehbe was set to face Alexandru Lungu but the latter combatant was pulled days before due to an injury and replaced by Maciej Sosnowski. Both fighters landed in capital city, made weight on Thursday and faced off to solidify the matchup.
Yet on Friday, the doctors deemed Wehbe unfit to fight because of abnormally high blood pressure which was announced during the broadcast by the commentators. On two hours notice, Ibrahim El Sawi stepped up and agreed to take on Sosnowski.
Facing an opponent with a size and reach advantage, the cards were stacked against El Sawi from the start.
Both fighters started off very tentatively and throwing single shots that mostly missed for the first few minutes. When shots did land, it was El Sawi kicking Sosnowski’s front leg and bruising and discoloration formed early on.
After a warning from referee Marc Goddard due to inactivity, Sosnowski turned it up and rushed forward with a flurry that allowed him to take the back. Once they hit the ground, the rear-naked choke was already completely sunk in and all El Sawi could do is tap at the moment.
The self-proclaimed ground specialist, Sosnowski (4-3), picks up the first submission win of his career. The 35 year old Polish fighter returns to the winner’s circle after being choked out last October against Luke Trainer at Euro Fight Night in the main event.
El Sawi (6-8) is finished for the fifth time and extends his losing streak to six. It is difficult to determine what is next for the Egyptian. But his willingness to take last minute matchups must have put him in the good graces of the brass at UAE Warriors.
In the co-main event of the night, former Brave Combat Federation featherweight champion Elias Boudegzdame 16-6) beat UFC veteran Austin Arnett (16-7) by unanimous decision. With this solid win, the French native could have secured a spot in the upcoming featherweight tournament, which will have a PFL contract on the line.
Following in the theme of last minute fights, Emad Handbali stepped in on an hour’s notice and faced Seb Eubank, the son of British boxing champion Chris Eubank. Due to the circumstances, the bout was changed to an exhibition match at a contracted catchweight of 80kgs.
The British striker dominated Handbali from the start with precision striking and finished him with a barrage that collapsed him against the fence.
UAE Warriors 10, Abu Dhabi, January 31st
Maciej Sosnowski def. Ibrahim El Sawi via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 4:02 of Round 1
Elias Boudegzdam def. Austin Arnett via Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Round 3
Juho Valamaa def. Ahmed Labban via Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Round 3
Alan Omer def. Reydon Romero via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:19 of Round 1
Mohammad Yahya def. Ramadan Noaman via KO (Punch) at 3:42 of Round 2
Exhibition: Seb Eubank def. Emad Handbali via TKO (Punches) at 2:21 of Round 1
Isaac Pimentel def. Delfin Nawen via TKO (Strikes) at 2:08 of Round 3
Josh Togo def. Ali Dyusenov via Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Round 3
Omar Hussein def. Vitaliy Stoyan via Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Round 3
Corinne Laframboise def. Cornelia Holm via Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Round 3
Piotr Kuberski def. Ahmed Saeb via Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Round 3
