Emiliano Sordi is taking his talents to Abu Dhabi, for now.
The 2019 PFL light heavyweight champion has booked his first fight of 2023 and it’s outside PFL. Sordi (23-11-1) is set to take on Asylzhan Bakhytzhanuly at a UAE Warriors event on Feb. 25. The bout will be contested at 205 pounds.
Sources recently informed MMA Junkie of the matchup, but asked to remain anonymous, as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Sordi is looking to bounce back from a three-fight skid. Prior to that, the Argentine fighter was on a six-fight unbeaten streak that saw him win the 2019 PFL light heavyweight title. Sordi’s current commitment with UAE warriors stands as a one-fight deal.
His opponent, Bakhytzhanuly (13-4-1), last fought in December when he came out short against Ivan Shtyrkov in a decision at RCC 13 – a regional Russian promotion. He was on a two-fight winning streak prior to the defeat with one of the wins coming under the UAE Warriors banner.
