Aljamain Sterling is shifting his focus from his professional mixed martial arts career of more than 13 years to compete in a grappling contest at the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC) – a new event that brings renowned martial arts fighters to the cage to compete in a variety of combat sports.
The former UFC bantamweight champion meets fellow American Chase Hooper in a No Gi match in the main card of the ADXC-2 at the Mubadala Arena at Zayed Sports City on Friday.
Sterling lost his UFC title to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in Boston in August, thus ending his nine-fight win streak in the promotion that also included three successful title defences.
One of those title defences included a TKO victory over TJ Dillashaw at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi in October 2022.
While Sterling, 34, is still aiming for another shot at the title, he found the challenge of a new grappling contest against a taller and heavier opponent, who is also 10 years his junior, too alluring to turn down.
“Hopefully my opponent [Hooper] is a willing dance partner and we put on a show for the fans in the main event,” Sterling told The National.
“I’m looking forward to competing against another tough dude, another tough fighter, and we’re going to see how good his grappling is.
“Of course, I’m going up a weight class [from bantamweight to lightweight]. He just went up a weight class [in MMA]. And so, that’s my opportunity to see where I’m at with the bigger opponent and see how I can handle that weight class change.”
Sterling is 1.70 metres tall and weighs 61kgs while Hooper stands at 1.85 and tips the scales at 70kgs.
Grappling is part of Sterling’s regular MMA training and is expected to test Hooper, who will bring his jiu-jitsu expertise to the mat.
“Grappling and jiu-jitsu are part of my training. I had a little bit more emphasis on grappling to prepare for this contest,” Sterling said of his preparations.
“My main job is obviously still fighting. I don’t just stop fighting so I can focus on this. I trust my grappling skills and what it’s able to do for me in the MMA space.
“So just tighten some things up and have some fun. I think the cage atmosphere, that little detail is gonna make things more unique to what I’m really good at. I use the cage really well. That’s gonna be one of my advantages in this competition.”
Sterling has an impressive 23-4 record in MMA career record (15-4 in UFC). However, Hooper is no pushover, holding an impressive record of 13-3, including (5-3 in UFC).
Sterling believes his skills can negate his opponent's height and weight advantage.
“He is definitely the bigger guy from a weight standpoint but I want to test myself for the next fight,” he said.
“Height and weight advantage does matter but it is the skills that are the most important thing for me. I can use the cage advantage a little better and this is based on real competition.
“I’m going to give 110 per cent for a win. There is no punching and kicking, but other than that the intensity going to be high and I’m going back to my roots in grappling and jiu-jitsu in this contest.”
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Result
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Brraq, Ryan Curatolo (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m; Winner: Bright Melody, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Naval Crown, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m; Winner: Volcanic Sky, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Zainhom, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
The view from The National
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
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MO
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HAJJAN
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
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- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
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MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Second leg:
Monday, Azizi Stadium, Tehran. Kick off 7pm
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
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INDIA SQUAD
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
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- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
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Rating: 2.5/5
