PaRus Fight Championship returns on November 6 – promising to be bigger, bolder and louder than the previous event in 2020.
The night will feature a unique synthesis of music and fight with the open-air Events Arena of Jumeirah Beach Hotel being transformed to house one of the most visually spectacular shows on Dubai’s sporting calendar.
Influential rapper Morgenshtern will headline the event, but just as important will be the action in the cage.
Organisers M Premiere and BY have assembled a stunning fight card featuring veterans, legends, and future stars to whet the appetite of all MMA fans.
Here is a breakdown of what to expect on fight night….
Sergey Kharitonov (Russia) vs Fabio Maldonado (Brazil)
A main event that could grace fight cards across the planet. With more than 20 years in the fight game, Kharitonov has fought across the globe and his record reads like a who’s who of heavyweight MMA superstars. The Russian has mixed it up with the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Noguiera, Alistair Overee, Josh Barnett, and Andrei Arlovski – to name just a handful. He fought in Bellator in only August this year, so securing the 41-year-old to this card is a huge achievement. His opponent is equally experienced. Fabio Maldonado, 28-15, spent five years of his fight career in the UFC, taking on Stipe Miocic, Rampage Jackson, and Glover Teixeira in the process. Also 41 years of age, the Brazilian also went the distance with Fedor Emelianenko. This is the main event for a reason.
Jesse Arnett (Canada) vs Denis Lavrentyev (Russia)
A real fight of the night contender, with the much-fancied Lavrentyev, taking on dangerous Canadian Jesse Arnett. Many are tipping the Russian to be a star in the UFC but he must get past his toughest challenge to date in Arnett. 10-2 Judoka, Lavrentyev has won his last five, since losing to Victor Henry in 2018 – a loss he has since avenged. Arnett, 18-7, is Canada’s second-ranked bantamweight, and had won his last three before taking on former UFC standout Ray Borg in Abu Dhabi.
Evgeniy Erokhin (Russia) vs Joachim Christensen (Denmark)
With more than 12-years in the cage, Erokhin is experienced to say the least. His 22-7 record features a clutch of former UFC fighters such as Mike Kyle, Jeff Monson, and Tim Hauge – all of whom he dispatched inside the distance thanks to his dominant striking game. Currently on a three-fight win streak he will be looking to add to his list of 17 finished opponents. Christensen is another former UFC fighter, having spent four fights with the organisation in 2016/17 – including a bout against future light-heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes. Now 15-8, Christensen in back in the win column after a decision win last time out, and will be looking for regain his early-career form.
Liliya Kazak (Belarus) vs Edna Ajala (Brazil)
Everyone loves a re-match, and after a tight split decision the last time these two fought this second bout was inevitable. Ajala won on that occasion a year ago, but suffered a loss of her own in July moving her record to 10-8-1. Kazak has not been in action since that night at PaRus Fight Championship 2020 and will be looking to improve on her 10-7-2 record. Worth noting on the Belarussian’s record is past encounters with former UFC champions Weili Zhang and Joanna Jędrzejczyk – she is not afraid to mix it with the best in the business.
Prince Mclean (USA) vs Petr Romankevich (Belarus)
35-year-old Prince Mclean is a former The Ultimate Fighter contestant, who now carries a record of 8-8, including an impressive 26 second demotion in his last outing earlier this year. He will take on the undefeated Romankevich who has professional bouts in MMA, boxing, and kickboxing to his name. 2-0 in MMA the Romankevich has picked up two quick stoppage wins in the early part of his career in the cage.
Rustam Amirmetov (Russia) vs Murat Kemer (Turkey)
Amirmetov only turned pro last year, but already has three fights under his belt (1-2). Strong with his hands, the Russian will be looking to get back on track after a defeat in August this year. Kemer (5-1) may has lost his opening bout at a pro, but has since won his last five contests – three by knockout – and will be looking to continue his impressive run of wins.
Darkhanbek Ergeshov (Kyrgyzstan) vs Joao Lucas Da Costa (Brazil)
Unbeaten since 2017, Ergeshov (8-2-0, 1NC) compiled seven consecutive wins over the course of three years until a no contest in his last bout in December last year. All seven of those wins came inside the distance – expect a variety of submission attempts and strikes from well-rounded fighter. Across the cage will be a Brazilian knockout artists who is 7-0 in his pro-career, with the last six of those wins coming by way of KO or TKO. Expect fireworks in this one.
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