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Austin Trout wins BKFC 71 thriller, takes Welterweight title

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The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium played host to an electrifying night of bare-knuckle action on April 4th as BKFC 71 delivered a stacked fight card featuring competitors from across the globe powered by World League of Fighters in association with Dubai Sports Council. The event marked another successful international expansion for the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship, bringing its unique brand of combat sports to the United Arab Emirates. The event was graced by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Founder and President, David Feldman, MMA Legend Conor McGregor and Co Founders of World League of Fighters, Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew.

In the main event, Austin Trout from Texas, USA successfully defended his BKFC World Welterweight Championship against Carlos Trinidad-Snake from Nebraska, USA via split decision in a contest that required an extra round. Trinidad-Snake scored an early knockdown in round one, but Trout demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the fight. After five rounds ended in a draw, the championship bout went to a decisive sixth round where Trout’s superior volume proved decisive. Austin Trout landed 93 significant strikes to Trinidad-Snake’s 73, earning scores of 58-55 and 57-56 on two judges’ cards, while one judge favored Trinidad-Snake 58-55.

The co-main event featured Britain Hart from USA defending her strawweight title against Tai Emery from Australia in a grueling five-round affair. Emery controlled the opening round with aggressive left hands, forcing Hart to adjust her strategy. By the middle rounds, both fighters displayed visible damage with cuts appearing over their left eyes. In round five, the ringside physician examined Emery’s swollen eye before allowing the fight to continue. Hart closed the show with a powerful right hand that helped secure her unanimous decision victory and tenth career win.

The middleweight division featured a gutsy performance from Johnny Tello from Canada who fought through a completely closed left eye to earn a unanimous decision (48-45, 47-46, 48-45) victory against Sabah Homasi from USA belonging to Lebanon. After a challenging first two rounds, Tello dominated the third frame, pushing his opponent into the corner and unleashing a barrage of precise strikes from various angles. After the win, Tello remarked, “I lost 25 pounds, had only two months of training, my opponent is bigger, and yet I am standing.”

In another exciting BKFC action, Egypt’s pro MMA bout Adel Al Tamimi delivered a commanding performance against Spain’s David Mora. Despite Mora landing some questionable blows to the back of the head that required referee intervention, Al Tamimi maintained his composure and consistently used his superior strength to control the fight. In round two, Al Tamimi neutralized his taller opponent’s reach advantage with a clean right jab that sent Mora to the canvas. The bout concluded at 1 minute and 28 seconds of the third round when Al Tamimi connected with another precision right hand for the decisive victory.

Egypt’s Mahmoud Ahmed secured a split decision win over Fuad Tarvedi from Azerbaijan by maintaining a consistent left-hand attack to both body and face throughout the contest. Judges scored it 47-46 twice for Ahmed and once for Tarvedi in the competitive matchup.

Islam Siszbulatov from Austria made a statement with his explosive performance, needing just 40 seconds to knock out Cheng Leang from Cambodia in the first round with a perfectly timed strike. Similarly impressive was Azerbaijan’s Elnur Suleymanov, who dominated Lucas Sontgen of Germany before finishing him 14 seconds into the second round with a devastating combination.

In heavyweight action, Brazil’s Geronimo Dos Santos needed just 1 minute and 49 seconds of the opening round, to dispatch veteran Alexey Oleinik of Russia by TKO. The Brazilian powerhouse connected with a thunderous single blow that sent Oleinik crashing to the canvas, demonstrating the raw power that makes him one of the most intimidating figures in the heavyweight division.

BKFC 71 showcased the growing global appeal of bare-knuckle fighting with competitors from across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, solidifying the promotion’s international presence in combat sports.

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UAE announces fuel prices for June 2025

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The UAE fuel price committee on Saturday announced petrol and diesel prices for the month of June 2025.The Fuel Prices Monitoring Committee has kept the prices unchanged from the month of May.

Super 98 petrol will cost Dh2.58 a litre, compared to Dh2.58 a litre in May, while Special 95 will cost Dh2.47 a litre, compared to Dh2.47 a litre the previous month.

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E-Plus category petrol will be available for Dh2.39 a litre, compared to Dh2.39 a litre in May, while diesel will now cost Dh2.45 a litre, compared to Dh2.52 a litre the previous month.

The UAE deregulated fuel prices in 2015, aligning them with market fluctuations.

Fuel prices in the UAE are tied to movements in the global oil market, which has experienced significant volatility since the beginning of the year.

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It’s official: UAE confirms Eid Al Adha to begin on June 6

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The UAE has officially declared that Eid Al Adha will begin on Friday, June 6, following the sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday evening, which marks the start of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar.

As a result, Dhu Al Hijjah will commence on Wednesday, setting the timeline for two of Islam’s most significant events: Hajj, which begins on the 8th day of the month (June 4), and Eid Al Adha, which falls on the 10th day (June 6).

The Hajj pilgrimage—a spiritual obligation for all able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime—will begin on Wednesday, June 4, with Arafat Day observed on Thursday, June 5. Eid Al Adha celebrations will run from Friday, June 6, to Sunday, June 8.

This timeline indicates a likely four-day holiday for workers in the UAE, beginning on Thursday, June 5, and ending on Sunday, June 8, with normal work resuming on Monday, June 9. Both public and private sector employees are expected to benefit from this extended weekend.

Eid Al Adha, or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to God’s command. The occasion is marked by communal prayers, festive meals, and the ritual sacrifice of a goat or sheep, with the meat distributed among family, friends, and the less fortunate.

In keeping with the spirit of the occasion, the holiday is a time of reflection, generosity, and togetherness—hallmarks of the Islamic faith. Each year, millions of Muslims journey to Makkah for Hajj, with many also visiting Madinah, two of the most sacred cities in Islam.

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History in the making: Once Upon a Time in Dubai, region’s first original global musical unveils cast, new single

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The excitement around Once Upon a Time in Dubai, the region’s first truly global musical, has reached new heights with the official release of its upbeat anthem Habibi, performed by rising Lebanese star Amanda Maalouf. Known for her powerful vocal range and stage charisma, the Dubai resident takes centre stage in this track as Zeina, one of the lead characters in the show.

Composed by the internationally acclaimed Nazim Khaled and released under Universal Music MENA, this uplifting anthem blends international pop with Arabic rhythms and celebrates the very ‘multicultural heartbeat of Dubai’, according to Stéphane Boukris, the French entreprenuer and creator behind the musical he describes as a ‘genre-bending spectacle’ – all set to bring together Broadway and West End flair, cinematic visuals and a diverse international cast to Dubai for the very first time.

“It is a vibrant, feel-good tribute to the spirit of Dubai,” said Boukris, who previously produced the hit musical Robin Hood that sold over one million tickets across Europe. “The song captures the warmth, ambition and energy that define this city. We wanted a track that resonates with both residents and the world.”

Released this week on all major streaming platforms, Habibi marks a major milestone for the musical set to premiere in December 2025.

The single is accompanied by a stunning video teaser, shot against Dubai’s iconic skyline and desert dunes, reflecting the show’s larger-than-life scale. The song offers a sneak peek into the show’s soundscape, which blends Eastern melodies and Western arrangements – a signature style of the musical.

“Creating Habibi was about capturing the sound of a new Dubai – bold, inclusive, and full of rhythm. It’s a song that blends east and west, tradition and innovation, much like the city itself,” said Khaled, the composer who’s worked with artists like Kendji Girac in the past and whose compositions have garnered billions of views globally.

Once Upon a Time in Dubai tells the story of Will, a young artist who moves from London to Dubai to reunite with his partner, Sophia, and pursue his dream of producing a musical extravaganza. Themes of love, ambition, and Dubai’s vibrant culture are woven into the narrative.

The creators of the show that include director Johan Nus, known in the region for his work on Arabs Got Talent and The Masked Singer and Gilles Papain as the executive producer with experience on major productions like Celine in Las Vegas and Disney World of Colors in California, also announced the full international cast, one that brings together a remarkable ensemble of international talents, each with a unique artistic journey.

Stellar ensemble of international talents

Lebanese singer Amanda Maalouf stars as Zeina, a powerful voice navigating the tension between tradition and ambition. British talent Melissa Jeffrey, a tenacious dancer and singer who began full-time training at just 11 and later earned scholarships at London’s elite Urdang Academy, takes on the female lead role of Sophia. While Joe Woolford, also from the UK and a charismatic rapper whose rise to fame began on The Voice UK and culminated with his Eurovision appearance, plays the male lead Will.

Dubai-based performer Isiako (Khalid) infuses the stage with Mediterranean flair and a mix of reggaeton, soul, and pop as Portuguese vocalist Jessica Alves brings poise and energy to the role of Kim, drawing from her rich experience in Dubai’s live music scene. Dutch musical theatre star Shay Lachman takes on Gautam, adding depth with his classical training and international stage experience from productions across Europe and Asia.

Adding a soulful layer to the production is Canadian-Lebanese singer Enzo S, who plays Elias, the heart of the group. A semi-finalist from The Voice France Season 9, Enzo’s performance is shaped by more than 15 years of global stage experience and a strong academic foundation in jazz and gospel from Montreal’s Concordia University.

Speaking about the diverse ensemble, director Nus said, “We have gathered talent from across continents with each performer bringing their authentic voice and a bit of their culture to the stage. This show could only happen in Dubai.”

The musical is set to debut in December 2025 with a full-scale theatrical production that promises a rich blend of music, dance, and storytelling. “Each of these performers brings a unique voice, story, and spirit to the production,” added Boukris. “This is not just a show — it’s a love letter to Dubai through the eyes and voices of the world.”

Now, with the soundtrack’s first single Habibi available on all major platforms, the countdown to the premiere in December has officially begun.

The musical’s official Instagram handle @ouatidubai and website onceuponatimeindubai.com will continue to release behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and teaser content in the lead-up to opening night.

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