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King Kai Stewart Defends World Featherweight Title at BKFC 72 Powered by World League of Fighters

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Dubai hosted the second night of bare-knuckle fighting as BKFC 72, powered by World League of Fighters in association with Dubai Sports Council, presented a series of impressive knockouts and skilled performances. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium was filled to capacity as BKFC President and Founder David Feldman, MMA star Conor McGregor, and World League of Fighters Co-Founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew attended this significant combat sports event.

In the main event, “King” Kai Stewart defended his BKFC World Men’s Featherweight Championship for the fourth time. Stewart dominated his opponent, landing 156 punches out of 202 thrown, while South African challenger Tommy “The Farmer” Strydom landed 53 punches from 112 attempts. This clear difference in striking led to Stewart knocking Strydom down twice and securing a unanimous decision victory with all judges scoring the bout 50-43. Stewart, now undefeated with an 8-0 record, proclaimed after his victory, “I cleaned out the 145-pound division. I break everybody!”

The co-main event also featured one of the night’s most dramatic moments. Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga from United States of America claimed the first-ever BKFC World Women’s Featherweight Championship with a single devastating punch that knocked out former professional boxing champion Hannah “The Classical Warrior” Rankin from United Kingdom just 32 seconds into the first round. Borga landed 18 of her 22 punches, while Rankin connected with only 7 of her 14 attempts before the knockout blow. This victory improved Borga’s BKFC record to 3-0, establishing her as a dominant force in women’s bare-knuckle fighting.

Russia’s Vladislav Tuinov made an explosive BKFC debut needing only 26 seconds to defeat Belgium’s Sabri Ben Henia. Tuinov landed 3 of his 5 punches with one powerful strike proving enough to end the fight immediately for Sabri Ben Henia who landed 1 of 7 attempted punches before the referee stopped the contest.

Spain’s Nico “The Iron” Gaffie delivered one of the night’s biggest upsets against Brandon “Superman” Allen, the second-ranked featherweight contender. Gaffie’s persistent attack sent Allen to the canvas four times throughout the fight, with both fighters throwing exactly 93 punches each. Gaffie landed 41 punches to Allen’s 29, leading to a fourth-round technical knockout win with one second remaining in the round.

Welsh fighter John Phillips dominated his cruiserweight match against Brazilian veteran Fabio Maldonado. Phillips landed 29 punches while Maldonado connected with 19, allowing Phillips to knock Maldonado down twice before the referee stopped the fight only 29 seconds into the second round.

In welterweight action, Aaron Chalmers secured a third-round victory over fellow Englishman Chasa Symonds. Chalmers landed 25 of 63 punches compared to Symonds’ 15 of 47. After dropping Symonds twice, the fight was stopped just 16 seconds into the third round.

The heavyweight division saw Iran’s Hassan Yousefi defeat Brazilian Guto Inocente by unanimous decision. In this back-and-forth battle, Yousefi landed 83 of his 142 punches, while Inocente connected with 54 of his 102 attempts. The judges recognized Yousefi’s greater volume, awarding him scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46.

The preliminary card featured two lightning-fast finishes, Filipino lightweight Mark Angel Sadang defeated Iranian Matin Safari in just 1 minute and 27 seconds of the first round, while Kazakh featherweight Dilshat Nurym needed only 1 minute and 23 seconds to stop Russian Shamil Dzhakhbarov.

MMA legend Conor McGregor, whose partnership with World League of Fighters has helped bring bare-knuckle fighting to the region, expressed his admiration for the event. “I’m so proud of our warriors and combatants win, lose or draw who have put on an amazing spectacle across this two-day extravaganza in Dubai,” said McGregor. “This event shows what World League of Fighters and BKFC represent pure combat and true heart.”

Also Conor McGregor, adding his thoughts on the action-packed event shares, “There are a lot of big shows around the world, a lot of noise, but let me tell you something; this is the most exciting combat sport on the planet today. And it’s not just talk there’s no such thing as a boring fight in BKFC. In fact, there’s not even a boring exchange. Every moment is explosive, raw, and real.”

“The partnership between BKFC and World League of Fighters continues to deliver excellent combat sports entertainment to fans worldwide,” said Rajesh Banga, Co-Founder of World League of Fighters. “This event concludes an exciting two-day fighting showcase in Dubai, establishing the city as a key destination for combat sports globally.”

The success of BKFC 72 in Dubai marks another achievement for World League of Fighters in their goal to expand bare-knuckle fighting across international markets, bringing together top athletes from various fighting backgrounds.

With 20 years of experience across print, TV, and digital journalism, Sudhashree is a seasoned media professional with a keen eye for news. A true news bug, she thrives on curating stories that capture the pulse of fashion, film, and all things trending. Deeply immersed in the fast-evolving media landscape, she swears by the power of social media to shape narratives and spark conversations.

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Book flights with cryptocurrency: Emirates to launch digital payments in 2026

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Good news for tech-savvy travellers, starting next year, Emirates Airline will let passengers pay for their flight tickets using cryptocurrency.

The Dubai-based carrier has signed a preliminary deal with global platform Crypto.com, paving the way for crypto payments via Crypto.com Pay. This move will offer a new level of flexibility and convenience for passengers booking flights on one of the world’s leading airlines.

The digital payment feature is expected to launch in 2026 and will be especially appealing to younger, digital-first travellers who prefer using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported tokens.

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates, said the move reflects the airline’s goal of staying ahead of evolving customer needs. “This partnership allows us to meet the expectations of a new generation of travellers who want more control and choice in how they manage their journeys,” he said.

Beyond just flight bookings, Emirates and Crypto.com also plan to collaborate on marketing initiatives, potentially offering crypto-based travel promotions or rewards in the future.

For travellers flying in and out of Dubai, this is part of a broader shift. Increasingly, everything from hotels to real estate is now embracing digital currency payments.

What it means for travellers:

  • Book Emirates flights using supported cryptocurrencies
  • Skip currency conversion hassles when travelling internationally
  • Enjoy smoother digital-first travel experiences
  • Be part of Dubai’s growing blockchain and crypto-powered ecosystem

With this new payment option on the horizon, planning your next trip might soon be just a few crypto clicks away.

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Star power boosts Super60 with Guptill, Parnell, Harbhajan

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It was a landmark day for cricket in the USA as the teams assembled an exciting mix of international stars and emerging talents during the draft for the inaugural Super60 USA Tournament, held on Friday with prominent names like Martin Guptill, Wayne Parnell, Varun Aaron and Lendl Simmons making the headlines.

Teams had already locked in eight players as part of their pre-signings. In the draft, they were allowed to choose between seven to 10 more players.

The LA Strikers had already secured big names like Aaron Finch, Isuru Udana, and Ben Dunk in their pre-signings. During the draft, they further strengthened their lineup by picking Gurkeerat Mann, a dynamic all-rounder known for his decent strike rate and handy off-spin. The franchise also brought in experienced wicketkeeper-batter Naman Ojha and seasoned medium-pacer Parvinder Awana, clearly aiming to build a well-rounded squad with depth in every department.

Morrisville Fighters put together a strong core by signing two of India’s finest bowlers — Harbhajan Singh and Munaf Patel. They further added fire power in the batting department with the signing of Shaun Marsh. The franchise continued to build on that solid base with the additions of powerful all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, pacer Sheldon Cottrell, and experienced campaigner Faiz Fazal.

Rebel Warriors made a statement during the draft after they signed Martin Guptill and Lendl Simmons one after the other. The two batters are known for their aggressive and will play a massive role in providing a brisk start to the team. They also have Saurabh Tiwary whom they signed during the pre-signings to add more aggression in the batting department while the experience of Mitchell Johnson with the ball will be the key for Rebel’s success.

Chicago Players who already had legends in Suresh Raina and Jacques Kallis in their line up got Wayne Parnell, Varun Aaron and Devendra Bishoo to add more fuel to their bowling unit.

Detroit Falcons went into the draft with a clear game plan — to stack their squad with quality all-rounders. With Shakib Al Hasan already in the lineup, they added Mossaddek Hossain and Ariful Haque, two reliable performers with solid domestic records.

With Parthiv Patel, Chris Lynn, and Ravi Bopara in their batting lineup, the Washington Tigers have plenty of experience and firepower up top. On the bowling side, they’ll be counting on Abhimanyu Mithun, Dan Christian, and Shahbaz Nadeem to do the job with the ball and keep the opposition in check.

LA Strikers:

Pre-Signing- Aaron Finch (Icon), Isuru Udana (Platinum), Ben Dunk (Cat A), Chadwick Walton (Cat B), Ashley Nurse (Cat B), Anureet Singh (Cat C), Chirag Gandhi (Cat D), Jesal Karia (Cat C)

Draft- Gurkeerat Mann (Cat B), Naman Ojha ( Cat B), Jaskaran Malhotra (Cat C), Parvinder Awana (Cat C), Manan Sharma (Cat D), Nisarg Patel (Cat D), Kashyap Prajapati (Cat D)

Morrisville Fighters:

Pre-Signing- Harbhajan Singh (Icon), Shaun Marsh (Platinum), Munaf Patel (Cat A), Angelo Perera (Cat B), Bipul Sharma (Cat B), Chamara Kapugedera (Cat C), Danushka Gunathilaka (Cat C), Kristopher Ramsaran (Cat D)

Draft- Colin de Grandhomme (Cat B), Sheldon Cottrell (Cat B), Jerome Taylor (Cat C), Faiz Fazal (Cat C), Suboth Bhati (Cat D), Rahul Yadav (Cat D), Elmore Hutchinson (Cat D)

Rebel Warriors:

Pre Signing- Thisara Perera (Icon), Mitchell Johnson (Platinum), Saurabh Tiwary (Cat A), Miguel Cummins (Cat B), Kennar Lewis (Cat B) , Samit Patel (Cat C), Oshane Thomas (Cat C), Amila Aponso (Cat D)

Draft- Martin Guptill (Cat B), Lendl Simmons, (Cat B), Chaturanga de Silva (Cat B), Jonathan Carter (Cat C), Jonathan Foo (Cat D),  Andre McCarthy (Cat D), Trevon Griffith (Cat D)

The Chicago Players:

Pre-Signing- Suresh Raina (Icon), Jacques Kallis (Platinum), Shehan Jayasuriya (Cat A), Manpreet Gony (Cat B), Kesrick Williams (Cat B), Dilhara Fernando (Cat C), Jon-Russ Jaggesar (Cat C), Navin Stewart (Cat D)

Draft- Wayne Parnell (Cat B), Varun Aaron (Cat B), Devendra Bishoo (Cat C), Siddharth Trivedi (Cat C), William Perkins (Cat D), Pawan Suyal (Cat D), Vikas Tokas (Cat D)

Detroit Falcons:

Pre-Signing- Shakib Al Hasan (ICON), Cameron Delport (Platinum), Rishi Dhawan (Cat A), Nasir Hussain (Cat B), Sharad Lumba (Cat B), Nasir Hussain (Cat B), Malinda Pushpakumara (Cat C), Anthony Bramble (Cat D)

Draft- Mossaddek Hossain (Cat B), Enamul Haque Jr (Cat B), Ariful Haque (Cat C), Kamrul Islam Rabbi (Cat C), Rony Talukdar (Cat D), Al-Amin Hossain (Cat D), Mohammad Nihaduzzaman (Cat D)

Washington Tigers:

Pre-Signing- Parthiv Patel (Platinum), Chris Lynn (Cat A), Ravi Bopara (Cat B), Andrew Tye (Cat B), Rohan Mustafa (Cat C), Abhimanyu Mithun (Cat C), Zahoor Khan (Cat D)

Draft- Dan Christian (Cat B), Shahbaz Nadeem (Cat B), Phil Mustard (Cat B), Jeevan Mendis (Cat C), Sheldon Jackson (Cat D), George Worker (Cat D), Aakarshit Gomel (Cat D)

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Royaloak launches in UAE bringing Indian design excellence to gulf

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Royaloak Furniture, one of India’s largest organised furniture retail chains, has announced its entry into the UAE market as part of a broader international expansion strategy. With an operational history spanning over 15 years and a customer base exceeding 5 million, the brand has opened three stores in the UAE—located in RAK Mall (Ras Al Khaimah), Lulu Mall (Fujairah), and Silicon Central Mall (Dubai)—each spanning nearly 20,000 square feet.

The move comes at a time when the UAE’s furniture and home décor industry is witnessing steady growth, driven by a combination of increased real estate development, rising urbanisation, and a growing population of design-conscious consumers. According to industry estimates, the UAE furniture market was valued at approximately USD 5.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.4 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.18%.

Royaloak’s entry adds momentum to the region’s expanding mid-to-premium furniture segment. The brand is known for its “Country Collection” that showcases curated pieces inspired by American, Italian, and Malaysian designs. The company sources products from manufacturing hubs across Asia and Europe, aiming to balance aesthetic appeal with functional quality.

“Our UAE expansion is aligned with market demand and retail opportunity,” said Mathan Subramaniam, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Royaloak. “What sets us apart is a vertically integrated model—from sourcing to distribution—which ensures both product consistency and affordability. With our dedicated warehouse in the UAE, we are equipped to provide fast, reliable delivery and a localised shopping experience.”

The stores are designed to cater to a wide demographic—offering furniture for living rooms, bedrooms, offices, dining areas, and outdoor spaces, in addition to home décor and mattresses. Each outlet is supported by Arabic-speaking staff to ensure culturally attuned customer service.

In tandem with its retail footprint, Royaloak has launched a dedicated UAE e-commerce platform, while also partnering with Amazon UAE and Noon to strengthen its omnichannel presence. The brand’s UAE entry is not just an expansion strategy but also a commitment to job creation and customer-centric innovation in one of the Middle East’s most competitive retail landscapes. The company plans further expansion across the Emirates in the coming year

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