Bruno Machado's title showdown highlights UAE Warriors triple-header

Defending champion Bruno Machado's contest against Korean Yun Jae Jung is the highlight of a packed weekend as the UAE Warriors embark on their 2023 campaign at the Etihad Arena.

Warriors Africa opens the triple-header at Yas Island on Friday, followed by UAE Warriors 36 (international) on Saturday, and Warriors Arabia on Sunday.

Brazilian Machado (15 wins, 9 losses) was due to meet Martun Mezhlumyan but the Armenian withdrew due to illness, opening the door for Jung (8-2) to make his Warriors debut in their lightweight title contest on Saturday.

“In my opinion, I’ll have to be a little bit careful because my new opponent is a hard guy and I didn’t have a lot of time to train specifically for him,” Machado, a long-time Abu Dhabi resident, said at the pre-fight press conference at the Palms Sports headquarters in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

“I trained for Martun for three months and now I have to face another opponent. But, I’ll fight the same way I do and keep this belt with me.”

The opening Warriors Africa is headlined by the featherweight title contest between Guinea's Lamo Mohamed Camara (5-1) and Cameroonian Jaures Dea (3-2).

Camara made a winning debut in the Warriors with a unanimous decision over Tunisian Mounir Khalifa in September last year.

“I have been yearning for this opportunity for a long time and come Friday, I’ll finish Jaures Dea,” Camara said, hoping for a title contest against Ali Al Qaisi for the Warriors International featherweight belt.

“After this fight, I want Ali. However, that can wait because my focus is on the Jaures fight.”

Dea has made 10 Warriors appearances with six victories. His last fight was a unanimous decision over Zimbabwean Sylvester Chipfumbu, also in September.

“Let’s wait and see