UAE Warriors: Hammami and Diani ready for historic unification clash in Abu Dhabi

Wisem Hammami is confident he will replicate his win over Badreddine Diani when they meet for the UAE Warriors Arabia welterweight title at the Etihad Arena on Friday.

In their previous encounter, Italy-based Tunisian Hammami stopped Diani in the second round to take the Africa belt, and he now bids to become the first UAE Warriors dual champion when facing the same opponent in the headline bout at Arabia 12.

“I’m in better shape than when I met him in March last year and I’m going to smash him up and stop him again in the second round,” said Hammami, who holds a professional MMA record of seven wins and one defeat.

“I have trained and am feeling better than ever. This is my fourth appearance in the promotion. It has been a wonderful place for me to come and compete. I was the first Africa champion and now watch me take the Arabia belt.”

Since their first fight, Hammami’s undefeated run was ended when he suffered a first-round loss to Dutchman Brian Hooi in the UAE Warriors International in his last fight in July last year.

“That’s behind me and I’m back in familiar waters," Hammami, 26, said. "The important thing is it’s another title contest and I’m very confident.”

Morocco's Diani, meanwhile, enters the rematch on the back of successive wins, which includes claiming the Arabia title and extending his record to six wins and two losses. It means both the Africa and Arabia titles will be on the line at Etihad Arena.

“I’m ready to take [Hammami] on this time and defend my Arabia title,” Diani said.

“Everyone is going to see a different fighter. I have had two wins since that defeat, and I return stronger and better prepared. I don’t want to say anything more than that, but we’ll see who comes out as the winner on the