Emilio Quissua crowned UAE Warriors Africa light heavyweight champion

Life is changing quickly for Emilio Quissua one year after he became a mixed martial arts professional.

Quissua, born to an Angolan father and German mother, was crowned the new UAE Warriors Africa light heavyweight champion at the Etihad Arena at Yas Island on Friday.

Quissua, 25, stopped Kevin Oumar of Comoros, winner of the inaugural and second editions of the UAE Warriors Africa, in the first round via a technical knockout.

He landed a high kick on the side of Ourmar’s head and then followed up with a barrage of punches and elbow shots to send him crashing down to the canvas before the referee stopped the contest. The title win in Abu Dhabi stretched his unbeaten record to four.

"I feel great. I’ll do anything for the sport. I moved from my home 700 kilometres just to train MMA two-and-a-half years ago and made my pro debut last year,” Quissua told The National.

“Now I’m in Abu Dhabi winning my fourth fight and a big title. This was everything I needed and I’m going back to my wife who is going to have a baby in two to three weeks.”

Quissua grew up in Germany and took up kickboxing for self defence when he was 17. And now, combat sport has become a passion.

“I grew up in a difficult area in the east of the country. I started boxing and then kickboxing before I moved to the south to pursue MMA full time,” he said.

“I started my journey 13 years ago just to defend myself and then I fell in love with this sport. Now I want to be the best in the world in whichever promotion I get to fight.”

Quissua took just three minutes and 35 seconds in the first round for the title and is ready to defend his belt.

“I wanted to be faster than him [Oumar] and I knew I hit hard,” Quissua explained.

“I look a little bit skinny but I