Asaf Chopurov set for bantamweight title defense at UAE Warriors 72 in Abu Dhabi

UAE Warriors is preparing another event during UFC fight week, and a bantamweight title defense is shaping up as the main event for UAE Warriors 72 on July 23 in Abu Dhabi. The matchup is not yet described as formally announced by the promotion, but it has been reported based on information shared with MMA coverage outlets, including a report carried by Yahoo Sports.

According to that report, the card’s headliner would feature undefeated bantamweight champion Asaf Chopurov (10-0) against Reece McLaren, a former ONE Championship fighter who would enter with a 19-9 record. The same report says the bout was originally slated to headline UAE Warriors 69 in March, but McLaren withdrew, which led to Chopurov facing Adriano Ramos instead. Chopurov retained his title in that earlier appearance, submitting Ramos in the first round.

The title fight’s reappearance on the July slate also reflects how regional promotions often reshuffle their top matchups when key opponents change. In this case, the promotion’s ability to rebook a previously planned challenger could be important for maintaining momentum around an active champion with an unbeaten start.

UAE Warriors 72 would include additional matchups across bantamweight and welterweight, with the co-main event set to pit Ali Taleb (12-2) against Peter Danesoe (9-4). Taleb is described in the report as a former UAE Warriors bantamweight champion and the 2024 PFL MENA champion, while Danesoe is identified as a former Road To UFC participant. The co-main billing also suggests the promotion is mixing established regional title experience with fighters who have tested themselves on the international development pathway.

On the undercard, the report lists former LFA welterweight champion and “Ultimate Fighter” Season 32 alum Shamidkhan Magomedov (11-1), who reportedly needs a new opponent after Magomed Kabardiev (11-2) was forced out. There is also a prelim matchup featuring Team Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Kurban Zaynukov (5-0) against Moldova’s Pavel Andrusca (7-0), highlighting the event’s emphasis on fast-rising talent entering UFC-adjacent broadcasts.

If the July 23 card holds as reported, UAE Warriors 72 would reinforce Abu Dhabi’s role as a regular hub for international MMA events and for the regional circuits that funnel fighters toward larger global platforms. The stream component also matters because UFC Fight Pass distribution can widen the audience for title pictures that otherwise stay largely local to MENA and European circuits.

For fans tracking the bantamweight division, the most immediate question will be whether Chopurov’s defense against a former ONE contender changes the perception of his ceiling. Equally important, because the event details are still described as pending official confirmation by the promotion, the opponent lineups beyond the headline bout could still evolve as replacements are secured and matchups are finalized before fight week. Watch for an official UAE Warriors announcement covering the full card, bout order, and matchmaking changes as they are confirmed.