Asaf Chopurov defended his UAE Warriors bantamweight championship against Reece McLaren in the main event of UAE Warriors 72, according to the promotion’s official preview. The Azerbaijani fighter secured a technical knockout win with a right hand at one minute and three seconds of round one, Tapology fight records show. This outcome extended Chopurov’s perfect professional record to 6-0 while marking his latest successful title defense in the regional promotion. The bout fulfilled expectations for an early finish on a card designed around fighters with strong finishing rates.
UAE Warriors staged the event in Abu Dhabi on July 23, 2026, the promotion’s website reported. Chopurov, nicknamed Honey Badger, entered as the undefeated champion after claiming the belt at UAE Warriors 64 in October 2025, an Azerbaijani sports publication noted. He had most recently retained the title with a first-round rear-naked choke at a prior event, fighter profiles on the UAE Warriors app indicate. The latest victory reinforced his position as a dominant competitor in the division.
The 24-year-old Chopurov represents Azerbaijan but trains out of Volgograd, Russia, and previously earned recognition as an IMMAF Junior World Champion, according to his official fighter profile. UAE Warriors data places him among the leading bantamweights in the Middle East, with a ranking that reflects consistent performances since his title win. Reece McLaren, an Australian veteran nicknamed Lightning, challenged for the belt but could not withstand the champion’s early pressure.
MMA Junkie reported that the title bout served as the centerpiece of UAE Warriors 72, which highlighted several finish-oriented matchups. McLaren’s experience across international promotions did not translate into a title victory, with the stoppage coming before either fighter could fully engage in extended grappling or stand-up exchanges. The result aligned with the promotion’s pattern of featuring decisive outcomes in its Abu Dhabi events.
Chopurov first became bantamweight champion at UAE Warriors 64, after which he has mounted multiple defenses, according to records from the promotion and Tapology. His six professional wins have all come under the UAE Warriors banner, with several ending inside the opening round. The Emirates News Agency covered the retention, underscoring the fighter’s continued success in one of the region’s prominent mixed martial arts organizations.
