ADXC: Fans choose the best match-up of 2024

February 26, 2025

With its MMA cage and the dynamic rule set that rewarded athletes for their aggressiveness, the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship had a standout season in 2024. Bringing competitions to the UAE, Brazil, and France, the organization set out to redefine the Grappling scene as we know it and cemented itself as one of the greatest tournaments in the sport, earning high praise from both competitors and the fighting community as a whole. Now gearing up for a promising season in 2025, the ADXC decided to give fight fans a chance to determine which were the best match-ups of last year, with the battle between Henrique Ceconi and Roberto Cyborg sweeping the popular vote and taking the win among three other duels.

The duel was promoted as the Grappling Co-Main Event of the ADXC 3, which took place in March and was the very first of the organization's tournaments to be held in Brazil. A newcomer in the ADXC at the time, Henrique Ceconi was faced with the daunting task of facing the legendary Roberto Cyborg, a veteran warrior who had already shown his fighting chops by taking a win in the ADXC's debut event. But while other athletes might choose to engage in provocation or the usual trash talk, Ceconi and Cyborg had nothing but respect to show for one another in the pre-event press conference, highlighting their friendship outside of the mats while also promising one of the most memorable battles in the history of the organization. "I hope the cage can withstand our pressure", said Ceconi then.

The cage did manage to hold on, but the fierce clash between the Brazilians was a sight to behold. Bringing his strength and stamina to bear while relentlessly attacking, Cyborg used his wrestling to secure some very good moments in the battle, even going as far as reaching his opponent's back and securing one hook while looking for a submission. Despite that, the equally powerful Ceconi not only managed to avoid Cyborg's onslaught but also dialed up the action by unleashing a true barrage of attacks and takedown attempts throughout the duel, breaking his adversary's momentum as he looked for the right angle to get the three taps from his adversary. With no subs landed by either side when the clock ran out, the referees were left with a very tough choice to make between the competitors and, after some deliberation, Ceconi emerged victorious with a split decision win.

The other running candidates were Jansen Gomes' unanimous decision win against Uanderson Ferreira in the ADXC 6's Jiu-Jitsu Main Event, Omar Al Suwaidi's victory over Samuel Marquez in the ADXC 5's Prelims, and Tayane Porfírio's triumph over Giovanna Jara in the ADXC 1's Main Card. Catch the winning match and all the other contenders on the TX7.com platform now, and be sure to follow @adxcofficial on social media to know when and where the ADXC is bringing its next show.