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.

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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.

Dubai is hosting the highly anticipated Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship, a key event in the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP) Tour series. Organised in collaboration with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the tournament will take place from April 4 to 6 at the Shabab Al Ahli Club. More than 1,000 male and female athletes from 86 clubs and academies across 72 countries will compete in this prestigious event.

The championship serves as a crucial platform for UAE-based clubs, giving local athletes the chance to challenge elite competitors from top jiu-jitsu teams worldwide. Besides fostering cultural exchange through sports, the tournament enables participants to earn valuable ranking points that influence their standings in AJP’s official annual international rankings.

Competition Schedule and Highlights

Action kicks off on Friday, April 4, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with matches continuing on Saturday and Sunday (April 5-6) from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Award ceremonies will be held throughout the three-day event.

The UAE leads in participation numbers, with Colombia, Brazil, and France following closely behind. Local clubs are making a strong showing, with Commando Group entering 237 athletes, MOD Academy fielding 147 competitors, Al Jazira Club participating with 85 athletes, and Baniyas Club contributing 53 contenders.

Adding to the excitement, the championship will feature internationally renowned jiu-jitsu stars, including Wanderson Ferreira, Katriel Rodrigues, and Tamara Silva. Their participation elevates the level of competition and provides local athletes with an invaluable opportunity to test themselves against top-ranked global opponents.

Strategic Growth of Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE

Yousef Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, emphasized the significance of hosting this championship in Dubai. “The Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro Tour in Dubai plays a crucial role in advancing the sport within the UAE. It provides a competitive environment for athletes to refine their skills and prepare for regional, continental, and global tournaments. This event also fosters cultural exchange and helps athletes build connections with international teams,” he said.

The Dubai International Championship is one of several high-profile AJP Tour events held throughout the season across various Emirates and international locations. These competitions offer athletes a professional platform to accumulate ranking points, ultimately leading up to the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship—the most coveted title in the sport. Additionally, the tour plays a vital role in identifying and nurturing emerging talent, providing them with a global stage to showcase their abilities and further their professional careers.

With intense battles on the mats, global stars in action, and top-tier competition, the Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship promises to be an unmissable event for athletes and fans alike.

(Source: Wam)

Dubai is set to witness a historic moment in combat sports as the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) makes its highly anticipated debut in the UAE. The first official BKFC press conference, hosted by the World League of Fighters (WLF) in partnership with the Dubai Sports Council, took place at the iconic Burj Al Arab on Thursday, setting the stage for an electrifying two-day event at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on April 4 and 5.

The event was attended by key figures in the industry, including WLF Co-Founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew, Dubai Sports Council Director Eisa Mohammed Sharif, and BKFC Founder David Feldman. The announcement solidified Dubai’s position as a rising hub for combat sports, attracting worldwide attention.

A Landmark Moment for BKFC in the Emirates

Speaking at the conference, WLF Co-Founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew expressed their excitement about bringing BKFC to Dubai, emphasising the dedication it took to make it happen.

“It took us more than two years to bring it here because David has been instrumental in the growth of BKFC, which has become the fastest-growing combat sport in the world. We struggled to find the right calendar dates, but finally, we are here. We are extremely happy and ready to show that Dubai will be the best destination outside of America, thanks to our incredible partnership with David and BKFC.”

Action-Packed Fight Card

The event boasts a star-studded lineup featuring some of the biggest names in bare-knuckle fighting.

April 4 Main Events:

• Carlos “Snake” Trinidad vs. Austin Trout – Welterweight Championship
• Britain Hart vs. Tai Emery – Women’s Strawweight Championship

April 5 Main Events:

• Tommy Strydom vs. Kai Stewart – Featherweight Championship
• Hannah Rankin vs. Jessica Borga – Co-main event showdown

Dubai Sports Council’s Support for Combat Sports

Highlighting Dubai’s commitment to combat sports, Eisa Mohammed Sharif, Director of Events at Dubai Sports Council, praised WLF and BKFC for bringing the event to the region:

“We would like to thank the World League of Fighters for bringing the BKFC event to Dubai for the very first time. This combat sport is growing tremendously, and we want to see it thrive here in the region. As the Dubai Sports Council, we will continue supporting it, ensuring the greatest fighters of all time come to Dubai and take on new challenges.”

With a thrilling fight card, a world-class venue, and the backing of Dubai’s sports authorities, BKFC’s arrival in the UAE marks the beginning of a new era in combat sports.

(Source: Wam)