Ali Al Qaisi-Jesse Arnett UAE Warriors trilogy 'definitely' on for next year

A third meeting between Ali Al Qaisi and Jesse Arnett for the UAE Warriors featherweight belt is “definitely” set to take place early next year, Palms Sports chief executive officer Fouad Darwish has confirmed.

The title rematch was the promotion’s biggest draw in its three-year history and will now get even bigger when they meet for the third time with the head-to-head record standing at 1-1.

Arnett won the belt when they met for the first time on July 2. The Canadian opened a deep cut above Al Qaisi’s left eye before the ringside doctor stopped the contest in the second round, leaving the “Royal Fighter” fuming.

The Jordanian avenged that defeat in the rematch with a guillotine choke on Arnett one minute and 25 seconds into the third round at the Etihad Arena last Saturday.

“The rematch last week was by far the biggest show of our promotion and a third meeting of Al Qaisi-Arnett is definitely on the card for early next year,” Darwish told The National on Monday.

“The title rematch set a new benchmark with a record-breaking night for us last Saturday, and it indeed was the most exhilarating and most successful UAE Warriors fight card ever done.

“We expect the next rematch to be even bigger, and perhaps a blockbuster. We want to engage all resources before finalising a date in what would be a very busy period for sports in Abu Dhabi.”

According to Darwish, the UAE Warriors 33 was inundated with messages of appreciation from mixed martial arts fans at home, the region and rest of the world.

“We have had endless appreciation of this fight card, highlighted by the Ali-Jesse title rematch,” he said.

“The fan participation and engagement through our social media and digital platforms, and the mainstream media was fantastic.

“