Since going 0-2 in the UFC in 2020, Ali AlQaisi has found considerable success in UAE Warriors, capturing the promotion’s featherweight title last year.
Now, AlQaisi (12-5) will look to defend his title when he takes on Canadian regional scene veteran Jesse Arnett (19-8). The fight will serve as the main event of UAE Warriors 30 on on July 2, 2022, promotion officials announced on Tuesday.
The card will be the first of back-to-back events, with UAE Warriors 31: Arabia taking place the following night. Both events will air on UFC Fight Pass, and see five titles on the line between them.
In addition to AlQaisi vs. Arnett, Brazil’s Vinicius de Oliveira (17-2) puts his UAE Warriors bantamweight title on the line against undefeated Iraqi Ali Taleb (6-0) in the co-main event of UAE Warriors 30.
AlQaisi, a.k.a. “The Royal Fighter,” has won all four of his fights since parting ways with the UFC. In addition to claiming gold in UAE Warriors, the Jordanian fighter also won the Titan FC featherweight title last year.
Arnett is a former TKO bantamweight champion, who has been a staple of Canadian MMA since his professional debut in 2011. He holds notable wins over past and present UFC fighters Roland Delorme, Johnny Bedford, and Darrick Minner.
In March, Arnett picked up a win against Gadzhimurad Gasanguseynov at UAE Warriors 28, in a bantamweight bout. He’ll be moving up to challenge for AlQaisi’s 145lb title.
Atop UAE Warriors 31: Arabia, meanwhile, Rany Saadeh (12-4) and Fabricio Sarraff (29-10) meet for the inaugural UAE Warriors Arabia bantamweight title. Eslam Syaha (12-2) and Laïd Zerhouni (9-7) face off in the co-main event, for the inaugural UAE Warriors Arabia middleweight championship.
A third title fight sees Nawras Abzakh (9-4) square off with Sami Yahia (10-4) to become the first UAE Warriors Arabia flyweight champ.
Both events take place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on July 2 and July 3, 2022.
