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Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Set for Historic Middle East Debut in Dubai

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History is in the making as Dubai welcomes the greatest two-day pure brutal combat event BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) powered by World League of Fighters in association with Dubai Sports council scheduled for April 4th and April 5th at the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Stadium. The event promises to be a spectacular showcase of combat action entertainment as 44 top world fighters would participate in an intense battle while vying for the title contender.

Professional Mixed Martial legend Conor McGregor is also scheduled to make a surprise appearance adding star power to an already spectacular lineup, although his role is kept in wraps. VIP Ticket holders would also have exclusive access to meet and greet sessions with fighters and legends of the sport during the tenure of the event

David Feldman Founder of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship shares how he finds the event to be the biggest boost for the fastest growing sport in the world. He shares, “We’re bringing raw intensity and pure athleticism of bare knuckle fighting to one of world’s most dynamic sporting destinations which is Dubai. The response from the fighting community and fans has been overwhelming, and we’re proud to showcase our sport at this level.”
The BKFC Dubai edition presents an electrifying lineup of international fighters on Day 1, featuring intense matchups across multiple weight categories. In the Bantamweight division (135 lbs), Ruel Panales from Philippines will face Ali Elkhatib from Egypt, while Lucas Sontgen (Germany) takes on Elnur Suleymanov (Azerbaijan) in the 170 lbs category. The Lightweights will see Islam Sizbulatov (Austria) battling Cheng Leang (Cambodia) at 155 lbs, and Murat Kazgan (Turkey) challenging Leandro Martins (Brazil).
Cruiserweights and Middleweights will showcase global talent with Jaskaran Singh (India) versus Mohamed Ali (Egypt/Dubai) in the 265 lbs category, and Marcus Pond (UK) facing Mladen Iliev (Bulgaria) in the 175 lbs Middleweights. The headline bout features Austin Trout versus Carlos Trinidad in the 165 lb Welterweights Category, while Sabah Homasi (Lebanese Descent/USA) will square off against Jonny Tello (Canada/Thailand) in the 175 Middleweights.
Day 2 promises equally thrilling contests across diverse weight classes. The Heavyweights (265 lbs) will feature Mehdi Barghi (Iran) versus Ricardo Bachir (Lebanon) and Guto Inocente (Brazil) against Hassan Yousefi (Iran). Bantamweight competitors include Mohd Azahar (India) versus Muhammad Bilal (Pakistan), while the Featherweights (145 lbs) will see exciting matches with Shamil Dzhakhbarov (Russia) facing Dilshat Nurym (Kazakhstan), and multiple international fighters like Dan Chapman (UK), Brandon Allen (USA), Hannah Rankin (UK), Jessica Borga (USA), Kai Stewart (USA), and Tommy Strydom (South Africa).
The Middleweight division will feature Aaron Chalmers (UK) against Chasa Symonds, while the Cruiserweight showdown will see Welsh MMA fighter John Phillips face Brazilian veteran Fabio Maldonado in the 205 lbs category. Maldonado, known for his standout performances in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions from 2009-2016, will battle Phillips, a tough competitor with a strong middleweight legacy from 2018-2020. Both fighters will bring their striking prowess to this exciting bare-knuckle clash in Dubai.
The Welterweights division will pit Vladislav Tuinov (Russia) against Adel Al Tamimi (USA/Iraq), while Matin Safari (Iran) will face Mark Angel Sadang (Philippines) in the Lightweights category.

Sharing excitement on BKFC’s debut in Dubai, emphasizing the significance of the event for both the sport and the city Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew Co – Founders of World League of Fighters share, “Dubai has always been a global hub for world-class sporting events, and we are excited to welcome the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) for its debut here. This event isn’t just about the fights; it’s about creating a one-of-a-kind experience for fans and highlighting the technical mastery that defines bare-knuckle fighting.”
The Dubai Sports Council also expressing their support for this ground breaking event shares, “Hosting Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship aligns perfectly with Dubai’s vision of Dubai becoming the world’s premier destination for combat sports. This event is precedented to provide local sports combat enthusiasts with an advanced opportunity to witness this unique discipline at the highest level.”
Tickets for this historic event will start at AED 399, with premium VIP packages available. The venue selection ensures an intimate viewing experience while maintaining the highest standards of safety and comfort for athletes and viewers. Also, in an exclusive development the event has attracted the radio partnerships of Channel 4(British Channel), Al Arabia (Dubai)and Volna radio (Russian language radio) for broadcasting in the Emirates.

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Canada Super 60 names Women’s Trophy after cricketing legend Mel Jones

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Canada’s pioneering cricket league, Canada Super 60, has announced that its inaugural Women’s Trophy will be named in honour of Mel Jones, the former Australian cricketer, respected broadcaster, and tireless advocate for women’s cricket.
Canada Super 60 is the world’s first-ever ten-over-a-side event to launch with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season. The league will be staged under the roof of the iconic BC Place in Vancouver, showcasing international stars alongside homegrown Canadian talent.

As part of its commitment to celebrating women’s cricket and inspiring future generations, Canada Super 60 will name the Women’s Trophy each year after an international women’s cricket legend. This tradition will not only create awareness but also honour trailblazers whose contributions have shaped the women’s game.

This year, the league has chosen Mel Jones—not only for her outstanding career in cricket and broadcasting, but also for her leadership off the field. Jones has been a leading voice for women’s cricket worldwide, and the ICC has widely recognized her efforts. She played a pivotal role in supporting Afghan women cricketers forced to flee their homeland after the Taliban takeover in 2021, helping coordinate their evacuation to Australia, providing resources, and co-founding the Pitch Our Future initiative to support their education and sporting careers. In recognition of these efforts, she was honoured with the prestigious MCC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2025.

Thanks to her advocacy and international coordination, many of these Afghan players found refuge abroad including two who are now living in Canada, following the Canadian government’s support for their refugee applications. This aligns with the Canada Super 60 vision of using cricket as a platform for opportunity and inclusion. Mel Jones on Receiving the Honour said “This honour from Canada Super 60 truly humbles me,” said Mel Jones. “To have the Women’s Trophy named after me is something very special. What excites me most is the vision behind this initiative creating more opportunities and visibility for women’s cricket, especially in associate nations. Platforms like Canada Super 60 will inspire and empower a new generation of players. My hope is that one day, a Canadian cricket legend will have this trophy named after them, as the women’s game continues to grow in this country.”

The Canada Super 60 Women’s Trophy will be presented at BC Place, Vancouver, during the inaugural edition of the tournament, taking place from October 8–13, 2025.

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Mosaic opens in Dubai, promising smarter marketing decisions for UAE businesses

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Mosaic, an integrated marketing agency, was officially launched in Dubai recently promising a new, more intentional approach to business growth for companies in the UAE. Led by Agency Director Shubhang Bhattacharya and Head of Digital Prasanna Venkat, Mosaic aims to buck a common market trend: businesses that start strong but struggle to scale.

Bhattacharya and Venkat have spent the last decade in the business setup space in Dubai, launching campaigns that helped countless businesses start. This experience has given them a clear vision for Mosaic. 

“So many businesses, no matter how long they’ve been around, try to handle marketing on their own and miss out on huge opportunities,” says Bhattacharya. “Making the right decisions at the right time is a make-or-break moment for any business. We give businesses the expertise to make marketing a cornerstone of their success, not just an afterthought.”

Mosaic’s philosophy centres on making “better decisions” rather than simply chasing bigger budgets. “We’ve seen too many businesses struggle with direction,” adds Venkat. “At Mosaic, our starting point is always the same: what actually creates value for the client, and how do we get there without overcomplicating it?”

Mosaic isn’t waiting around to make an impact. Since its soft launch in February 2025, the agency has already delivered serious results. That includes the “Employee to Entrepreneur” campaign, which pulled in over 23 million impressions, and the launch of the UAE’s first-ever mobile business setup initiative, the “Startup Wagon.” The team also proved its ability to tap into the culture with a simple, silly reel on the Coldplay concert trend that went on to get over 14 million views on Instagram.

The name “Mosaic” is a core tenet of the agency’s operational philosophy. It represents how the team works: bringing distinct, diverse perspectives together to create a result that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

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AKCEL GP Academy officially launches in UAE with stellar international roster

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AKCEL GP Academy today, announced a dynamic line-up of rising stars to compete in the 2025/26 Rotax Max and IAME UAE Karting Championships as part of their inaugural season. The line-up features Atiqa Asif Mir, Rivaan Dev Preetham, Rehan Khan Rasheed, Ridhaan A, Krishay Gutte, and Jagrat Detroja from India, Brando Londono from Canada and Linas Volungevicius from Lithuania.

The AKCEL GP Academy, based at the iconic YAS Marina Circuit, goes beyond racing with 360° driver development; covering technical training, fitness, mental conditioning in partnership with Wishtok for performance and wellness coaching, and career planning, offering a clear, professional roadmap to Formula racing and beyond. The Academy’s state-of-the-art garage experience centre and race-prep facilities are a testament to their vision to become the most advanced, structured, and internationally recognized karting academy in the region, nurturing future racing champions from grassroots.

AKCEL GP Academy is a part of the rapid emergence of UAE as one of the world’s most exciting motorsport destinations, with globally renowned circuits such as Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Autodrome, and by hosting the prestigious Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In 2024, the country’s sports event market generated more than Dh22.8 million in revenue and is projected to surpass Dh44 million by 2030, reflecting an annual growth rate of 11.8 percent. With the global motorsport industry valued at Dh34.9 billion, the UAE’s growing investment in racing innovation and talent development makes the launch of AKCEL GP Academy especially timely and impactful.

Leading the charge, Atiqa Mir has already made history as the first Indian to secure a top-10 finish at the Rotax Euro Trophy. Rivaan Dev Preetham, a two-time national champion, became India’s first race winner at the FIA Motorsport Games, finishing World No. 8 in 2024. Jagrat Detroja also made headlines in Valencia, taking pole position and finishing 5th overall. The next wave of Indian talent includes Rehan Khan Rasheed, holder of fastest laps across all three FMSCI-homologated tracks in Micro Max, and 11-year-old Ridhaan A, who broke into the National Karting Championship top-six on debut. Krishay Gutte adds further promise with consistent performances across Asia and the UAE.

On the international front, Brando Londono, Canada’s most-followed young racer, brings FIA European Karting Championship experience and is preparing his step up to Formula 4. Linas Volungevicius, a front-runner in the Rotax Latvia and Lithuania Championships, impressed with a top-10 finish at the FIA Motorsport Games. Together, these eight drivers form a fearless and ambitious squad set to light up the UAE karting circuit.

“We are thrilled to begin the first season of AKCEL GP Karting Academy, a platform that celebrates talent, passion, and perseverance. More than just racing, AKCEL GP Academy builds future champions and offers young drivers a world-class pathway here in the UAE and beyond. This inaugural season brings together talent from across the globe, proving that motorsport knows no borders. To every young driver: this is just the start of your journey. With hard work and belief, the track ahead has no limits,” declared Amit Kaushal, Chairman, AKCEL Group.

Looking ahead, AKCEL GP Academy plans to expand into European championships by 2027, creating a seamless pathway into the FIA Pyramid from FIA F4, FIA FREC, FIA F3 and FIA F2. Combining world-class infrastructure with a structured career plan, the Academy positions itself as more than a team, it is a talent factory and a gateway to professional motorsport.

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