A Filipino mixed martial artist has won his first gold medal by taking the UAE Warrior featherweight title at Mudabala Arena in Adu Dhabi.
On Friday night, Rolando Dy, 27, defeated Yerzhan Yestanov of Kazahstan at the UAE Warriors MMA event. The fighter dedicated his first win to his grandfather, who is on his deathbed in the Philippines suffering from liver cancer, The National reported.
“Before I left home, I told my grandfather that I’m going to return with the title belt and to wait for me. I wish he would. I want to be by his side before he breathes his last,” Dy said.
Dy made a name for himself with the Guam-based promotion Pacific Xtreme Comba, before getting a shot in the UFC. The martial artist is the son of former boxing world champion Rolando Navarrete, a Filipino boxing icon.
Two others also won title belts in their respective weight class during the competition. Tarek Suleiman of Syria won the Light Heavyweight Championship while Amin Ayoub of Tunisia took the Welterweight Championship.