Sergei's knockout over Rizzo, at Pride. Photo: Susumu Nagao / GRACIEMAG archives
Anyone thinking Abu Dhabi stopped talking about MMA with the end of UFC 112 is mistaken. Under the official patronage of Sheikh Mohamad Bin Zayed, the Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship event promises to gather heavyweights like Sergei Kharitonov, Marcio Pé de Pano, Jeff Monson, Marcos Oliveira and other beasts to duke it out for a hefty one million dirham payout, which comes to approximately 350 thousand dollars.
One of the favorites, Russia’s Kharitanov was even making the rounds at UFC 112, to promote the event. The first stage of the Grand Prix takes place May 14, and will include various fighters from the region, besides Italians, Turks, English, French and Polish fighters, not to mention Brazilians and Russians.
Find out more at www.abudhabifc.com.
Below we revisit when two athletes on the Abu Dhabi GP roster faced off.