A new champion now reigns supreme in the UAE Warriors bantamweight division.
Xavier Alaoui claimed the bantamweight title at UAE Warriors 14 by taking down Jaures Dea through a unanimous decision. The 29-year-old Kirkland, Quebec native now stands atop the promotion's 135-pound roster, riding a streak of consecutive victories within the organization.
You could feel the excitement radiating off Alaoui when pressed about how the victory felt.
"It feels incredible. I've competed numerous times throughout my career, and to be honest, competing for a championship belt carries a different weight entirely—it was about the title itself more than the individual bout," Alaoui explained to MMA Empire during a conversation.
"As I've mentioned in earlier discussions, the win bonus no longer weighs on my mind. I don't dwell on that stuff. My focus stays squarely on the competition. But this occasion represented something greater than the fight itself. The championship element truly fueled me, giving me the strength to carry through the fifth round and maintain complete control."
Back around 1994, Alaoui's father first exposed him to the art of hand-to-hand combat along the shoreline. Claiming the belt had been a dream since those early days, and a nostalgic photograph that recently appeared on Alaoui's Instagram account highlighted that deeply personal journey.
"It really served as a reminder of how far I've come, bringing back memories of my judo and boxing days. Getting this title was incredibly rewarding—both for me and for him. I know he's watching from above and would be proud."
Though Alaoui delivered a dominant showing, he admitted he hasn't yet reviewed footage of his latest UAE Warriors encounter.
Still, he shared vivid impressions from inside the cage.
"There were strikes he absorbed that left me wondering—he didn't even blink. I saw his eyes roll back after several right hands connected, followed by a head kick, yet he kept standing. This guy was built different."
Now a regular presence under the UAE Warriors banner, Alaoui expressed gratitude for the activity he managed last year despite the ongoing pandemic.
"Honestly, it was wonderful—a real blessing. As you mentioned, plenty of fighters can't even secure bouts. They can't pursue what they're passionate about. I was lucky enough to compete and do it for a world title."
"I believe I'm in excellent shape with my new team at Ruby Sports and Entertainment. In just two months, we're stepping up to a world title bout."
Alaoui has long trained at Tristar Gym, but the pandemic forced him to adjust his approach.
"We arrived in Dubai a full month ahead of time. I brought Jeff Chan over—he's from MMA Shredded, a professional fighter and well-known YouTuber. The two of us trained together one-on-one every single day for that entire month because I wasn't certain whether travel restrictions would prevent us from flying internationally due to COVID."
"I'd rather be on site ensuring the bout actually took place, particularly for a world championship. Plus, I was in the middle of renovating my former home, so I figured getting away from that was the best way to prepare properly."
Training with Chan paid clear dividends in Alaoui's championship performance.
"They kept telling me about how Jaures (Dea) specializes in leg kicks. This guy was going to target my legs, keep throwing kicks and all sorts of strikes."
"No one's better than Jeff at preparing for that kind of matchup, so I had the ideal sparring partner. And in the actual fight, I landed leg kicks on Jaures—you know what I mean? I broke down his leg throughout the bout, so the preparation fit perfectly."
Several people stood in Alaoui's corner, including one whose track record mentoring Canadian fighters spans many years.
"It was Jeff (Chan) and Kristof Midoux. He's Georges St Pierre's trainer—that large man who was always in Georges' corner. He's guided me throughout my entire career, always supported me, and was the one who introduced me to ACA/ACB."
"He brings a completely different perspective inside the octagon, a mindset you can't simply study—you have to live it to build that instinct. He applies that to every single fight, spotting openings where others don't see them. We had our own codes, you know. He speaks French too, so he was feeding me French signals. Really cool, as usual. Always an incredible experience."
As a promotion with the stature and reputation of UAE Warriors, Alaoui certainly won't face any shortage of contenders looking to challenge for his championship.
While retaining the title remains on the table, Alaoui mentioned several possibilities might emerge in the coming months.
"There are already a number of offers coming our way once this bout concludes. I genuinely enjoy competing for UAE Warriors, and returning to defend the belt there isn't something I'd dismiss. In fact, I'd welcome another opportunity to step into the octagon there. It's really about finding the right move financially—what generates real returns. At the same time, I need to look out for myself, especially given how brief careers in this sport tend to be."
"These careers don't last forever, so I'm not interested in rushing into questionable choices. A potential UFC situation? We'll find out."
Alaoui's Acknowledgments
"Big thanks to my sponsors—Wrk.com, Stick to the Script, and El Barachi Ventures. Honestly, none of this would be nearly as manageable without their support. I'm grateful for where I am right now. Much appreciated."
Tune into my complete interview with Xavier Alaoui about his UAE Warriors championship victory and what lies ahead right here
