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Muhidin Abubakar becomes first Somali to win UAE Warriors title
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    Sunday June 15, 2025


    Muhidin Abubakar (left) in action against Victor Nunes during their bout in the UAE Warriors 60 at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi on Friday.


    ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (HOL) — Somalia’s Muhidin Abubakar etched his name into the record books Friday night, defeating Brazil’s Victor “Sombra” Nunes by unanimous decision to claim the interim flyweight title at UAE Warriors 60—making him the first Somali fighter to win a championship in the promotion’s history.

    Competing at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, Abubakar (10-1) leaned on improved grappling and dominant top control to outpoint Nunes (11-6) over five rounds, setting up a unification bout against reigning champion Iago Ribeiro (13-3), also of Brazil.

    “I’m really overwhelmed by tonight’s result,” Abubakar said after the bout. “To take back a title belt means everything—it’s proof of the hard yards I’ve put in since that defeat. It was a tough fight, but I believe I deserved this win.”

    Abubakar’s title run follows a critical turning point in his career. In September 2022, he suffered his only professional loss, a unanimous decision defeat to South Africa’s Luthando Biko at UAE Warriors 32. That moment, he says, changed everything.

    “That day I went back dejected and disappointed,” Abubakar recalled, reflecting on the loss that would redefine his career. “But I was determined. I promised myself I would return stronger, smarter, and hungrier. I was going to be a better fighter—no matter what it took.”

    Since then, the London-based fighter has won three straight contests inside UAE Warriors, displaying a more complete skillset. Originally known for his karate-based striking, Abubakar has developed a well-rounded grappling game, controlling Nunes for much of Friday’s fight with sharp transitions and positional dominance.

    The victory brings his professional record to 10 wins and 1 loss, with five victories coming by knockout or TKO, two by submission, and three by decision.

    Born in Somalia and currently based in London, Abubakar represents a growing wave of East African fighters breaking through on the global stage. His victory not only secured him a title but also marked a major milestone for Somali representation in professional combat sports.

    According to Tapology, Abubakar is currently ranked No. 2 among flyweights in the U.K. and Ireland, and No. 4 in both the Middle East and Africa—a sign of his growing prominence in one of MMA’s fastest divisions.

    UAE Warriors 60 featured 12 bouts with 24 fighters from 17 different countries. The card drew high-level attendees, including Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Shakhbut Al Nahyan, president of the Asian Chess Federation, and Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and board chair of Palms Sports, the event organizer.

    In the co-main event, Canadian UFC veteran Tanner Boser made a successful UAE Warriors debut, earning a TKO win over Brazil’s Vinicius Moreira after a third-round stoppage. Ukraine’s Vladislav Rudnev also remained unbeaten, picking up a unanimous decision win over Poland’s Piotr Niedzielski in a welterweight bout.

    With the interim title secured, Abubakar is expected to face Ribeiro later this year to unify the division’s championship belts—an opportunity to solidify his place among the sport’s rising stars.

     





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