Dubai – Absolute Championship Berkut, one of the world’s leading MMA fighting championship is coming to Dubai for the first time ever for an action packed 13-fight card. In partnership with the Dubai Sports Council, the ACB takes place on Friday, February 23rd at The Dome, Dubai Sports City.

“We have been laying the foundations for a while now to make the ACB a truly global brand with events held in USA, Eastern and Western Europe. It is great to come to Dubai and showcase some of the best fighters on our roster.” said Mairbek Khasiev, Founder of ACB. “Our strategic plans for 2018-2019 are in process and we aim to build the brand in markets like the Middle East and Asia moving forward. Our partnerships with key partners will contribute to the objectives of the organization.”

ACB81 is headlined by the Brazilian welterweight Roan Carneiro (21W-11L-0D), and no.2 ACB ranked Aslambek Saidov (21W-5L-0D), from Poland. The winner of this fight will most likely be next in line for a shot at the welterweight division.

“We all have the warrior spirit in us, we just need to harness it and believe. That’s what I am going to do at ACB81. I am excited and cannot wait to be in Dubai. It is an honor to fight in Dubai and I guaranty an outstanding performance for the fans.” said Roan Carneiro

UAE based Brazilian MMA fighter, Isaac Pimentel (15W-7L-0D), takes on the dangerous Armenian, Narek Avagyan (7W-3L-0D), for an exciting flyweight bout.

“I am proud to be the only UAE based fighter at the event, I wear the colors of my country [Brazil] proudly but I also represent the UAE and I will give my fans here a victory on February 23rd. I am expecting a tough fight, because Narek is an attacking fighter, I have a lot of respect for him. I cannot wait to get back in the cage and show all the fans what I am all about” said Isaac Pimentel

In the co-main event, British Luke Barnatt (13W-5L-0D), will make the permanent move to light-heavyweight, where he will face the heavy-handed Maxim Futin (7W-5L-0D).

The card also features top established veterans and up and coming hungry fighters including the undefeated fan-favourite Yoni Sherbatov (7W-0L-1D), and dynamic striker Josiel Silva (8W-2L-0D), will collide to make their claim on the next title shot in the flyweight division and the long-awaited come back of Musa Khamanaev.

The Absolute Championship Berkut in Dubai will begin at 18:00pm until 23:00pm (Dubai standard time) on Friday, 23rd February. The event will be broadcasted on TV and ACB social media.

FIGHT CARD
13. Welterweight: ASLAMBEK SAIDOV (Poland) – ROAN CARNEIRO (Brazil)
12. Light heavyweight: MAXIM FUTIN (Russia) – LUKE BARNATT (UK)
11. Middleweight: ABDUL-RAKHMAN DZHANAEV (Russia) – LEANDRO BATATA (Brazil)
10. Flyweight: YONI SHERBATOV (Canada) – JOSIEL SILVA (Brazil)
9. Flyweight: NAREK AVAGYAN (Armenia) – ISAAC PIMENTEL (Brazil)
8. Featherweight: ISLAM ISAEV (Russia) – THIAGO LUIS SILVA (Brazil)
7. Welterweight: RAMAZAN KURAMAGOMEDOV (Russia) – GEORGI VALENTINOV (Bulgaria)
6. Lightweight: BAZ MOHAMMAD MUBARIZ (Afghanistan) – IAIN FEENAN (Scotland)
5. Bantamweight: MAHARBEK KARGINOV (Russia) – FRANCISCO MACIEL (Brazil)
4. Heavyweight: TANNER BOSER (Canada) – DJ LINDERMANN (USA)
3. Lightweight: AHMED WALI HOTAK (Afghanistan) – TBA
2. Featherweight: KHASEIN SHAIKHAEV (Russia) – DIEGO LOPES (Brazil)
1. Featherweight: KADIR DALKIRAN (Turkey) – SHOAIB YOUSAF (UK)