Ali Alqaisi surprised with UFC release, hopes for return with win at UAE Warriors 30

Ali Alqaisi has been on a roll since parting ways with the UFC in 2020.

Alqaisi (12-5) became the first Jordanian fighter to get signed by the UFC, but was released after two close decision losses to Irwin Rivera and Tony Kelley.

Based on the competitive nature of those bouts, “The Royal Fighter” thought his octagon departure was a little unjust and is eager to prove the UFC made a mistake.

“To be honest, I was pretty surprised I was released after two competitive fights,” Alqaisi told MMA Junkie. “Until this day, I think most people feel that I won against Irwin pretty clearly, especially. The experience there was great and I’ve been working hard on making my way back there.”

Since then, Alqaisi has won four straight and captured three world titles: the UAE Warriors belt, the Titan FC belt and the UAE Warriors Arabia belt. He defends his featherweight title against Canada’s Jesse Arnett (19-8) in Saturday’s UAE Warriors 30 main event, which streams live on UFC Fight Pass.

“My goal was to take the fastest way back to the UFC,” Alqaisi said. “I still have Sean (Shelby’s) email when I was released saying that they would ‘re-assess’ after a couple of fights. I think with three titles and four wins on the trot, I should be making that assessment easier for him.

“I hope that every fight I take gets me closer to the UFC return. Honestly, I don’t know what I’ve done to rub Sean the wrong way, but I feel like I was released pretty fast after taking fights on short notice and making them exciting and competitive, and I’ve done my part to earn my way back. I don’t know why Sean doesn’t like me and I hope to be able to clear it with him one day.”

Alqaisi’s post-octagon run did pay off. He was given the call, but it wasn’t the call he was looking for.

“I was offered a short-notice step-in opportunity against Brendan Loughnane at PFL last week for a ton of money,” Alqaisi said. “But I turned that down because I feel that it is my destiny to get back into the UFC and represent Jordan.”