Vladyslav Rudnev Captures UAE Warriors Championship Belt for Ukraine

Vladyslav Rudnev Triumphs at UAE Warriors 71

According to Главком: Ukrainian mixed martial artist Vladyslav Rudnev emerged victorious in the main event of UAE Warriors 71, held on May 9, 2026, in Abu Dhabi. This win earned him the promotion's lightweight title, securing the vacant 155-pound championship belt.

The bout took place at the Space42 Arena, where Rudnev-fighting under the nickname Honey-entered the cage undefeated with a 12-0 record. His opponent was Armenia’s Martun Mezhlumyan, who held a 15-3 record and resides in Russia. The fight ended in the first round when Rudnev submitted Mezhlumyan via choke, showcasing his technical prowess.

Ukrainian Athletes Shine in Mixed Martial Arts

UAE Warriors is a premier MMA promotion in the Middle East, hosting events for over a decade. Its cards are broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, giving a global audience access to fighters from around the world.

Following his victory, Vladyslav Rudnev shared his thoughts, expressing gratitude to God, his family, and his team:

“I want to thank God for granting me this victory today. My father, my team, and I worked long and hard to win the UAE Warriors League belt. I’m grateful to everyone close to me and to my fans for motivating and supporting me on this journey. Today, we proved once again that Ukrainian athletes are the strongest. I also want to tell the youth: dream big, pursue your goals, and never stop-nothing is impossible!”

Notably, another Ukrainian fighter, Yaroslav Amosov, has also found success in MMA, securing his second consecutive UFC win by submitting Spain’s Joel Alvarez with a triangle choke in the second round. These achievements highlight the growing prominence of Ukrainian talent in international mixed martial arts.

Rudnev’s victory underscores the rising strength of Ukrainian athletes in MMA, further evidenced by the accomplishments of fighters like Yaroslav Amosov. This trend reflects the high level of training and competitiveness among Ukrainian competitors on the global stage, which could boost the sport’s popularity in Ukraine and inspire new talent to enter mixed martial arts.

Rudnev's impressive victory not only highlights his skills but also reinforces the growing influence of Ukrainian fighters in the MMA scene. In a similar vein, another prominent athlete, Yaroslav Amosov recently showcased his talent by submitting his opponent at UFC 328, further establishing Ukraine's presence in international mixed martial arts competitions.