Athletes during a workout session at the UAEJJ Fitness in MBZ City, Abu Dhabi.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

With only hours remaining until the first significant pro-event of the year, the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship – ADXC2, fans were treated to an exhilarating open workout session at UAEJJ Fitness in MBZ City, Abu Dhabi, featuring star fighters, including Aljamain Sterling and Chase Hooper, who will compete in the NO GI main event, and Bruno Lima and Manuel Ribamar, who will lock horns in the GI Main Event.

The atmosphere reached a fever pitch as the fighters showcased their skills, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the main event on Friday evening.

The open workout session on Tuesday featured almost all the fighters on the card, providing a glimpse into their preparations and determination ahead of the big event.

The crowd’s excitement reached its peak as Aljamain Sterling and Chase Hooper took to the mats, leaving an indelible mark on the minds of the fans present.

“I am really looking forward to it; it’s going to be an exciting match,” said Sterling during the session. “It’s similar to the MMA cage, but the big difference is that when I am taking somebody down, when I am chasing down, I can’t punch.

That means I have to rely on my jiu-jitsu skills a lot more and high-level grappling. He’s a big guy (Hooper), and I need to go prepared, but I am ready.”

Sterling, a prominent UFC bantamweight, boasts an impressive grappling record and will be taking on Hooper, known for his outstanding jiu-jitsu.

“I am so excited to go against someone like Aljamain. I have been watching his fights; he’s been watching mine. It’s such an exciting matchup, and I’m really excited for the rest of the card too. I really like the ruleset, and I am looking forward to it,” added Hooper.

The Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship made its debut in October 2023, introducing a novel ruleset that captivated fans. The first event delivered entertaining matches, and the second edition promises even more excitement with compelling matchups and significant appeal to MMA fans, featuring notable UFC names on the main card.

The co-main event features a clash between AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro champion Bruno Lima of Portugal and his nemesis from the 2020 European Open final, Manuel Ribamar.

Their diverse grappling styles promise a captivating showdown, with Lima’s unorthodox guard playing against Ribamar’s outside passing, creating a dynamic and entertaining spectacle.