Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The Way of the Warrior at Starlite event drew more than 3,000 fans in an open-air venue, and several rising stars won victories. Organisers hailed the night as a success.
The 21st edition of Way of the Warrior (WOW) brought mixed martial arts to Marbella’s Starlite festival on Saturday night, attracting more than 3,000 spectators and turning the Nagüeles quarry into an open-air octagon.
After ZebenzuiRuiz, the headliner, withdrawn due to injury. Alexis Vera from Madrid was brought in to fight Scott Pedersen of Wales. Vera’s WOW debut was unanimously decided, and he received praise for his calmness.
Brett Johns from Wales, who defeated Georgian Levan Kiritadze in round one, was the most impressive performer. Johns’s experience was decisive despite early resistance.
Other notable victories include those of Akhmed Aev, Dara O’Sullivan from Ireland, and Vincenzo Bussolotti, a local amateur.
Malaga’s Chanel Forster was backed by a large home crowd, but lost out to Argentina’s Lara Botto who battled through a fractured metacarpal in order to win.
A mix of MMA enthusiasts, tourists, and local personalities, such as Olympic silver medallist Ayoub Ghadfa, and Ilia topuria’s Trainer, Doctor Aldo, attended the event.
WOW president Arturo Guillén told Marca the event delivered “a frankly good result” and hoped it would inspire newcomers to follow the sport. Organisers already confirmed that they are likely to return to Marbella.
