After a brilliant amateur MMA career that have sent expectations through the roof, Norwegian light heavyweight Arlind Berisha is finally ready for his pro debut.
Berisha, who lives in Norway but has roots in Kosovo, will face Sweden’s Mehdi Abadli at Wolf Fight Promotion 6 in Halmstad, Sweden on March 25th.
It won’t just be Norwegian fans keeping their eyes on Berisha’s debut, however, as he is one of the most hyped prospects to emerge from the heavier weight classes on the European amateur scene.
“That was the goal, to get as much experience as I could before moving up into the pro leagues.”
– Arlind Berisha
He made history competing for Kosovo and becoming the first fighter to not only win a medal for the Balkan nation in the 2021 IMMAF World Cup, but even securing a gold medal after scoring all first-round finishes.
On top of that, he became double champ at heavyweight and light heavyweight in Cage Warriors Academy South East following two brutal TKO finishes over top-notch competition – including French European MMA champion Nell Ariano.
Arlind Berisha: “My amateur career was great”
It’s safe to say that as an amateur, Arlind Berisha exceeded all expectations.
“Me and my coaches’ goal was to fight ten amateur fights before going pro, and I’ve done it,” Arlind Berisha tells Frontkick.online’s sister site Maximum Sports. “And since my first amateur fight I’ve trained like a pro athlete, so it’s not so different aside from the five-minute rounds.”
While the medals and titles certainly don’t hurt, Berisha reveals that activity and competition has been his focus as an amateur.
“My amateur career was great, with many fights and good experience,” Berisha adds. “That was the goal, to get as much experience as I could before moving up into the pro leagues.”
Set to make pro debut in his opponent’s hometown
Due to Norway’s archaic laws regarding MMA, Arlind Berisha will be forced to venture across the border for his pro debut. That’s why he’s now ready to take on a hometown favorite in the Swedish city of Halmstad.
His opponent Mehdi Abadli is a skilled grappler with a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, who stepped out from under the radar last year to take a fight with knockout artist Kevin Munje in the main event of Wolf Fight Promotion 5. Abadli may have lost a decision after three hard-fought rounds, but he firmly established himself as a real talent and a tough outing for anyone in the higher weight classes.
“I am lengthy and strong, well-rounded, sharp, and my will is a big advantage”
– Arlind Berisha
Despite facing such a fearless and skilled fighter, Berisha’s confidence is radiating to say the least.
“I studied him, he’s a grappler with some boxing, but I don’t know much else,” Arlind Berisha says. “I see myself as better everywhere, both on the feet and on the ground, even though hes a brown belt in BJJ.”
“The fans can expect a finish. Knockout or submission.”
So far Berisha has proved to be a threat in every aspect of MMA. His wins, while all finishes, include a liver kick KO’s as well as brutal finishes via ground and pound and a slew of different submissions.
The Norwegian prospect sees himself having an edge on his opponent regardless of where the fight goes.
“I am lengthy and strong, well-rounded, sharp. And my will is a big advantage,” he says before adding a fight prediction:
“The fans can expect a finish. Knockout or submission.”
These light heavyweights couldn’t have been a better choice to headline WFP 6. Tensions and expectations are high but as Berisha has proven time and time again, he’s all about breaking records and exceeding expectations.
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Sebastian Vendel-Martinez is the editor-in-cheif of Frontkick’s sister site MaximumSports.se, a regular host of our podcast “Käftsmällspodden” as well as a MMA commentator for various fighting events. Follow him on Instagram at @vendelmartinez!
