Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ali Al Qaisi has a couple of memories that are close to his heart.
The first was when he became the first Jordanian to feature in the UFC in 2020. The other is winning the UAE Warriors International and Arabia featherweight titles.
Which is probably why losing the UAE Warriors International crown to Samuel Bark was a huge blow for Al Qaisi, who is more determined than ever to regain the belt.
Al Qaisi, however, must first get past Peruvian Vicente Vargas in UAE Warriors 57 at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi on Friday to earn a title shot against Bark.
The Abu Dhabi promotion’s New Year double-header kicks off with an Arabia versus Africa card on Thursday, followed by UAE Warriors International.
“To fight in the UFC is one of the high points of my career, and also holding two title belts in the UAE Warriors. To regain my belt is my biggest goal going into this fight on Friday,” Al Qaisi told The National on the sidelines of the pre-fight press conference.
“I will bring the belt back home and I can't wait for that moment. He [Vargas] is a good fighter but he doesn't know what I will bring for him on the night.
“I’m well-prepared and coming off a camp in Phuket. This is my 10th fight in the UAE Warriors and I really want to get that rematch against Samuel for the belt.”
The Swede stopped Al Qaisi in the first round to hand the Jordanian his second successive defeat and take home the featherweight belt.
“They were two bad nights for me and those results are behind me,” Al Qaisi added. “This time I’m returning to the cage with a mission and that’s to work my way back to the title contest.
“The UAE Warriors is one of the best in the world. I know that because I travel a lot between camps, between fighting, and I see how much this promotion has grown and is still growing. Glad I'm one of the UAE Warriors family.”
Al Qaisi hopes his journey in the Abu Dhabi promotion, which began in 2021 after he was released by UFC, continues for a long time.
“The UAE Warriors is where I’ll be as long as possible. That’s why the UAE Warriors belt is so dear to me,” he said.
Upon joining, Al Qaisi reeled off four wins to clinch both the UAE Warriors International and Arabia featherweight titles.
He first lost the International title to Canadian Jesse Arnette when the cage-side doctor stopped Al Qaisi from continuing after he suffered a nasty cut above his eye.
Al Qaisi, 34, regained the belt and then successfully defended his crown against Arnette. And in between, he also successfully defended his Arabia belt against Egypt's Ahmed Faress.
Before losing his crown to Bark, Al Qaisi had suffered a shock first-round defeat to Walter Cogliandro, who was beaten by Vargas in July last year.
“Me losing to Walter and Vicente defeating him later is no concern for me. These things keep happening but this time I feel I’m really up there with the belt in mind,” said Al Qaisi, who has a 15-8 record.
Vargas, 38, is also eyeing a title shot against Bark. The Peruvian, who has a 22-6 record, will take confidence from his win over Cogliandro.
“I’m aware Ali is a good and respected fighter, but I have come here with the same goals of winning and earning a title shot,” Vargas said.
“This fight is very important and means a lot for me. I took a 22-hour flight and a six-hour stopover to reach this beautiful city. I fight mostly in Mexico and Brazil. It’s my second time in Abu Dhabi.”
