Alex da Silva eyes UAE Warriors title fight after he blows away Bagyash Zharmamatov

Alex da Silva moved up the UAE Warriors rankings with his second successive triumph in the Abu Dhabi promotion’s 44th edition at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Saturday.

The Brazilian took just 41 seconds to submit Bagysh Zharmamatov of Kyrgyzstan with a guillotine choke in the headline contest of the 14-fight card and stay on course as a potential title contender in the promotion.

Da Silva’s debut in the UAE Warriors ended in defeat to Russian Makkasharip Zaynukov by a split decision in March but the Brazilian has quickly established himself with victories over Ali Mashrapov in May and now his compatriot Zharmamatov.

“Indeed, I’m hungry for more since I joined this promotion this year and I guess they will include me in their next fight card,” Da Silva said after extending his record to 23 wins and five losses.

“This fight tonight ended in just 41 seconds and I’m even ready to get back into the cage tomorrow. I’m ready to fight any day.”

China’s Jieleyisi Baergeng made a winning debut in the UAE Warriors with a split decision over the promotion’s former champion Xavier Alaoui of Canada in the co-main bantamweight contest.

Alberto Mina, the UFC’s MMA manager based in Shanghai, is confident China to make a huge impact in Mixed Martial Arts around the world.

“We have had Chinese fighters in the UAE Warriors before but it’s the first time we are having two in the same fight card,” the former Brazilian MMA professional said.

“The potential in China and the talent they have is huge. We have many fighters already signed with UFC and our job is to continue unearth new talents and new prospects for the biggest promotions around the world.”

China’s second contestant on the night, Lun Qui, however, didn’t have the same success