Riddell dedicates latest UFC win to team-mate

New Zealand mixed martial artist Brad Riddell has paid tribute to his fallen team-mate after continuing his unbeaten run in the UFC’s lightweight division.

Staggered early in the opening round, the Cantabrian recovered impressively to earn an entertaining unanimous points win over American Drew Dober in Arizona on Sunday.

The win, coming on the UFC 263 card being headlined by team-mate Israel Adesanya, took Riddell to 4-0 in the UFC, stretched his winning streak to seven and extended his overall record to 10-1.

Speaking inside the octagon immediately after the fight, Riddell said his performance had been motivated by the memory of his team-mate at at Auckland’s City Kickboxing, Fau Vake.

Vake died last month after a week in Auckland Hospital following an alleged assault in central Auckland.

Fau Vake
Photo: Instagram / Fau Vake

“I was never gonna lose this fight. I had a driving force that was bigger than me and I’m very, very grateful that I still get a walk on this planet.

“That walkout song might have seemed a little bit weird but that was [Fau’s] walkout song so that was my tribute to his family.

“Unfortunately, he’ll never get to make this walk. I miss you Fau, and I hope you’re proud.”

Four men appeared in Auckland District Court on Tuesday, with a 29-year-old charged with Vake’s manslaughter.

Three other men, two 29-year-olds and one 32-year-old, also received assault charges. All four men were remanded without plea.

With Dober ranked 13th heading into the bout, Riddell was expected to move inside the division’s top 15 rankings for the first time.