In its second edition held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship mixed Jiu-Jitsu and MMA athletes in bouts with and without the gi in an MMA cage. The event, held this Sunday, Jan 19th, featured 14 fights presented at the Mubadala Arena, in a light and sound show, with the presence of local and international authorities.

With rules that follow the guidelines of the AJP  (organization that holds the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship), the bouts were scored like MMA matches, with 10-point must rounds.

In the no-gi feature bout, former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling faced fellow Ultimate fighter Chase Hooper in a 5-round, 3-minute no-gi duel. In the match, Hooper loosened up the game more, attempting Imanari rolls, triangle attacks, and unorthodox transitions. Sterling, in his turn, managed to apply takedowns and reach the side control, as well as mounting on different occasions during the 15-minute contest. In the end, Sterling convinced most of the judges, winning via split decision.

In the main fight in the gi, current Abu Dhabi World Pro champion Bruno Lima, representing Portugal, beat Brazilian Manuel Ribamar by a solid margin. Showing a lot of skill in the stand-up game, Bruno used takedowns and judo entries, combined with quick transitions on the ground to dominant positions such as mount and back control. His firm grips on Ribamar's belt, above his head, broke the Brazilian's posture and created openings for takedowns and counterattacks.

Bruno's victory also came as a decision, and he took advantage of the post-event interview to challenge Jansen Gomes to fight in the ADXC 3 cage, at the organization's next event, scheduled for March 2 in Balneário Camboriú, in Brazil.

Earlier, in the no-gi co-main event, Ffion Davies confirmed her status as the favorite by beating UFC athlete Luana Pinheiro. After exchanging on the feet with Luana, Ffion entered the guillotine and took Luana to the cage wall. Luana got out of the attack, but Ffion, still standing, reached Luana's back. With the hooks, Fion looked for space and adjusted the rear naked choke in the first minute of the fight, guaranteeing the quickest victory of the night, 51 seconds into the match.

In the co-main gi matchup, Espen Mathiesen and Pablo Lavaselli had an extremely technical battle, with an exchange of spins and grips on the lapels, with both sides scoring sweeps. Pablo attacked by sweeping with leg grips, or from the x-guard. Espen, in his turn, used inversions and attacks tangling the legs. At the end of the fight, a split decision in favor of the Norwegian Espen Mathiesen.

Other highlights were the hectic fight between Gabriel Sousa and Yuta Shimada, in which the Brazilian won by the referees' decision; Shay Montague's victory over Emirate Omar Al Suwaidi in a very technical duel; and Emily Fernandez' submission over Yara Kakish with an armbar at the end of the third round.

See the complete results of ADXC 2 below:

ADXC 2
MUBADALA ARENA, ABU DHABI - UAE
JANUARY 19, 2023

Main Event

• Aljamain Sterling defeated Chase Hooper via split decision
• Bruno Lima defeated Manuel Ribamar via unanimous decision

Co-Main Event

• Ffion Davies defeated Luana Pinheiro via rear naked choke (R1 51s)
• Espen Mathiesen defeated Pablo Lavaselli via split decision
• Main Card
  Rinat Fakhredinov defeated Douglas Lima via unanimous decision
• Talison Costa defeated Ali Monfaradi via split decision
• Sidney Outlaw defeated Terrance McKinney via crossface (R1 1:37)
• Gabriel Sousa defeated Yuta Shimada via unanimous decision
• Pouya Rahman defeated Denzel Freeman via unanimous decision  

Prelims Card

• Shay Montague defeated Omar Al Suwaidi via split decision
• Matus Arpas defeated Ahmed Amir via unanimous decision
• Emily Ferreira defeated Yara Kakish via armlock (R3 1:10)
• Mohammed Al Suwaidi defeated Seonghyeon Joo via unanimous decision
• Yaroslav Rymasjevkii defeated Alinur Kuatuly via unanimous decision