Dubai became the epicentre of combat sports as the World League of Fighters (WLF), in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, successfully staged BKFC 71 & 72 at the iconic Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on April 4th and 5th. In a seismic shift that’s redefining the future of fighting, WLF co-founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew brought the world’s fastest-growing combat sport to the heart of the Middle East, a region already surging with investments in Boxing, MMA and more.
The historic back-to-back events on April 4th and 5th lit up Dubai with 44 world-class fighters, delivering two nights of raw, high-octane action that left fans on the edge of their seats. By introducing BKFC to the region, WLF has not only elevated Dubai’s reputation as a premier destination for elite sports but also carved out a new frontier for bare-knuckle fighting on the global stage.
Co-Founders of World League of Fighters Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew sharing excitement on the successful hosting of the BKFC 71 & 72 Event shares, “Dubai has long served as a global center for premier combat events, and we aim to bring BKFC back to the UAE again. Beyond providing fans with an unforgettable experience, BKFC 71& 72 events demonstrated the fast paced entertainment of Bare knuckle fighting while establishing Middle East as the premier combat sports venue.”
While sports like Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu have gained enormous popularity, the market’s enthusiastic reception to bare-knuckle fighting surpassed all expectations. This success validates World League of Fighters’ vision, that combat sports fans desire diversity and authenticity in fighting disciplines.
Adding on the potential of inviting more successful chapters of BKFC in the region, Co-Founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew also stated, “This was never just about one event. This was about creating a new legacy for combat sports on the global stage with World League of Fighters leading the way. With the support of the Dubai Sports Council, David Feldman, and icons like Conor McGregor, we’ve brought something truly historic to life. The response has been overwhelming, and this is only the beginning of our journey in the Emirates.”
In a moment that electrified the global fight community, Conor McGregor the face of modern combat sports arrived with an entourage of 20 aboard his private jet to witness the spectacle firsthand, further validating World League of Fighters’ growing influence in the combat sports world.
“This is a movement. A revolution. A new home for the fight world,” declared Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew of World League f Fighters.
“With World League of Fighters at the helm, we’re writing combat sports history in the sands of Dubai. The gloves are off. The desert is alive. And the future is bare-knuckle.” Added co-founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew
The UAE has already embraced MMA and boxing at the highest levels, and World League of Fighters has successfully positioned BKFC within that combat sports ecosystem while bringing something uniquely exciting to the market. With its successful debut, WLF has confirmed that Chapter 2 of BKFC in Dubai will return in November 2025, with official dates to be revealed soon.
Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.
The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.
The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.
Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.
Other ticket options
Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375
Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.
Bigger family attractions
Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.
The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.
Six sports and top rugby action
Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.
Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.
The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.
The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.
Music all weekend
Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.
Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.
For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.
With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.
UAE residents looking for something to do after sunset can turn their eyes to the sky tonight as the Perseids meteor shower makes an appearance.
For the best chance of seeing the celestial display, darker locations away from the bright lights of the cities could be worth the drive. The UAE’s mountainous areas, including Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet, are among the cooler options for spending an evening outdoors.
The meteor shower arrives as the country experiences another hot summer day, with temperatures expected to reach 45°C in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Quwain.
Where can you watch the shower in the UAE?
The UAE’s mountainous regions can offer more favourable conditions for stargazing because they are farther from urban light pollution.
Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain are two popular options for those looking to escape the city lights and watch the night sky.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) expects temperatures in mountainous areas to remain comparatively lower, at around 32°C to 38°C.
If you’re planning to watch from a remote location, choose an established and safe viewing area, and check conditions before setting out.
Chances of rain in the east
While the skies may be the main attraction tonight, the weather earlier in the day could be less predictable in parts of eastern UAE.
The NCM forecasts fair to partly cloudy conditions, with the possibility of convective clouds developing over eastern areas during the afternoon.
That could bring rainfall to places such as Fujairah, Kalba and Khor Fakkan.
Sea conditions remain slight
The NCM expects slight sea conditions in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
Anyone planning marine activities should check the latest official forecast before heading out.
So while the UAE remains firmly in summer mode, tonight offers residents a chance to swap city lights for the night sky and look out for the Perseids.
The UAE has launched Make it in the Emirates 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen local manufacturing, improve supply chain resilience and expand the country’s advanced industrial sector.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the platform reflects the UAE’s vision for a “more resilient and sustainable national industrial model”, with continued investment in industry, artificial intelligence and technology.
In a message shared on X, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE will continue to build strategic partnerships and strengthen local capabilities to boost global competitiveness.
The initiative comes as the UAE pushes to reduce dependence on global supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Officials said more than 150 strategic commodities have already been studied, with alternative sourcing plans identified to maintain supply during global disruptions.
A key goal of Make it in the Emirates 2026 is to encourage more local production inside the UAE while attracting industrial investment and advanced manufacturing technologies.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also attended the event in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the growing role of UAE-made products and Emirati talent in shaping the country’s industrial future.
The event has brought together around 1,200 exhibitors across 12 key sectors, including aerospace, defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, mobility and sustainable materials.