The World League of Fighters orchestrated the first official BKFC conference at the Burj Al Arab on 2nd of April, partnering with Dubai Sports Council to announce the championship’s Dubai debut. The prestigious gathering brought together WLF Co Founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew, Director of Dubai Sports Council Eisa Mohammed Sharif and BKFC Founder David Feldman. The press conference revealed plans for BKFC’s inaugural Emirates event at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on April 4 and April 5, establishing it as a key fixture in Dubai’s combat sports landscape and generating worldwide excitement

Sharing the enthusiasm on the journey with Dubai sports council that will shape BKFC as the next global event in Dubai, co-founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew of World League of Fighters stated, “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.”

The star-studded press conference brought together fighters from the two-day event, with April 4th featuring Carlos “Snake” Trinidad and Austin Trout headlining for the Welterweight championship. Adding to the excitement, BKFC’s trailblazing female Strawweight champion, Britain Hart, will take on Tai Emery in the women’s main event, fighting for the Strawweight Championship. Following on April 5th, Tommy Strydom will challenge Kai Stewart for Featherweight supremacy, while Hannah Rankin and Jessica Borga square off in the second main event of the weekend

Additional fighters from both April 4th and April 5th fight cards who attended the press conference included Sabah Homasi, Jonathan Tello, Aleksei Oleinik, Adel Al Tamimi, Vladislav Tuinov, Guto Inocente and John Philips

Adding heartfelt tribute to World League of Fighters and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, Director of Dubai Sports Council Eisa Mohammed Sharif shares, “We would like to thank World League of Fighters for bringing the BKFC event for the very first time in Dubai. I believe this combat sport is growing tremendously and we just want to see it grow here in the region, while we continue supporting it as Dubai Sports Council to witness the greatest fighters of all time to be here in Dubai and combat the challenge”

By leveraging Dubai’s proven infrastructure and governmental support systems, the forum addressed the global impact of combat sports in the Arab World and how Bare Knuckle seeks to value this support by introducing elite event opportunities for larger combat events in the future

Founder and President of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, David Feldman also added, “A huge thank you to the Dubai Sports Council and His Excellency for their support in this event. With four world title fights and 12,000 passionate fans, we are here to break record, that’s what we do. Everywhere we go, we set new milestones, and now, we’re ready to do the same in this beautiful city of Dubai. The energy here is incredible, and I couldn’t be more thrilled”

The World League of Fighters organization views Dubai’s receptive sporting environment as the ideal platform to elevate bare-knuckle fighting’s global profile. As presented by World League of Fighters in the conference, the platform aligns its priorities on offering world fighters and MMA enthusiasts the opportunity to experience Bare Knuckle Fighting under the roof of a globally renowned name in the world of combat sports. BKFC aims to contribute to the Emirate’s vision of becoming a global sports capital while creating sustainable pathways for world fighting development

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced a new direct route to Almaty, Kazakhstan, from Zayed International Airport, further expanding its international network. The new service will commence on June 3, 2025, with flights operating three times a week.

Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “This expansion strengthens connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key global markets.”

He further emphasized the airline’s role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s growth as a tourism and business hub, noting that the new service caters to the increasing demand for budget-friendly travel while enhancing passenger convenience.

With the addition of Almaty, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi now offers direct flights to 30 destinations, giving travellers more choices for regional and international journeys.

Why Visit Almaty?
Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, vibrant markets, and rich cultural heritage. The city is an ideal destination for both leisure and business travellers, offering a mix of scenic beauty and modern urban experiences.

The United Arab Emirates has once again been crowned the best place in the world for entrepreneurs, topping the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024/2025 for the fourth year running.

Outperforming 56 economies, the UAE has cemented its status as the ultimate hub for startups and small businesses, thanks to pro-business policies, easy access to funding, and a thriving investment scene.

UAE Leads in Business-Friendly Policies

The report reveals that the UAE ranks No.1 among high-income countries in 11 out of 13 key areas, including:

• Access to finance – Securing business funding has never been easier.
• Government backing – Tax benefits, reduced red tape, and strong policies to support startups.
• Education & training – Top-tier entrepreneurial learning from school to university.
• Market access – Fewer regulatory hurdles mean faster business growth.
• Tech & innovation – Cutting-edge research and development support.

Leadership’s Vision for a Global Business Hub

Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, hailed the UAE’s achievement, calling it proof of the country’s bold vision and leadership’s commitment to making it the best place for businesses to start, scale, and succeed.

She highlighted that the UAE is not just leading the region but making waves on the global stage, with ambitious plans under the “We the UAE 2031” vision to become the world’s premier destination for SMEs and the new digital economy.

What’s Driving the UAE’s Success?

The report credits several game-changing policies and investments, including:

$8.7 billion poured into innovation and SME growth under the Projects of the 50 initiative.
100% foreign ownership of businesses – making the UAE a magnet for global entrepreneurs.
Record-breaking foreign investment in 2023, proving confidence in the UAE’s economy.

Entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking:

• 67% of adults know an entrepreneur or believe they have the skills to start a business.
• 70% of Emiratis see strong opportunities for launching their own ventures.
• 78% of new entrepreneurs prioritise social and environmental impact.
• 75% of startup founders plan to hire at least six employees in the next five years.
• 80% aim to go digital, keeping up with the latest business trends.
• 55% of UAE entrepreneurs already serve international customers, strengthening the UAE’s status as a global business powerhouse.

UAE Officially the Best Business Environment

On top of ranking first in the GEM report, the UAE also topped the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), proving it has the most supportive environment for startups and businesses.

(Source: Wam)