Image Credit: Glory Kickboxing
Chi Lewis-Parry is set to return to the cage against a UFC veteran.
The Englishman has been booked opposite stand-up artist, Fabio Maldonado, for his first heavyweight title defense. Maldonado is unquestionably the most well-known and credentialed adversary Lewis-Parry has fought to date despite being in the later stages of his career. Both fighters’ management teams confirmed the fight booking shortly after the promotion announced the bout. UAE Warriors 13 takes place on September 25 from Abu Dhabi and will be streamed for free at MMATV.co.uk.
Lewis-Parry (8-0-2, 2NC) won the vacant UAE Warriors heavyweight title in his last outing when he defeated Mahmoud Hassan by TKO after only eight seconds. The bout was criticized by many at the time because Hassan had a record of 1-5 going into the contest and was on a five-fight losing streak. ‘Chopper’ returned to MMA in 2018 proceeding a run in Glory Kickboxing and is yet to taste defeat in his professional MMA career.
Maldonado (26-14) is a forty fight veteran and has faced some of the biggest names around. He’s competed against Stipe Miocic, Rampage Jackson and lost a very controversial decision to Fedor Emelianenko. Recently, the Brazilian has gone back to his roots and began to box again where he’s faced and been defeated by the likes of Oscar Rivas, Michael Hunter and Carlos Takam. Maldonado beat Pelu Adetola by unanimous decision in his last MMA outing in March.
More fight announcements for UAE Warriors 13 are expected over the coming weeks.