Dubai is set to host an electrifying two-day combat sports spectacle as the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), powered by the World League of Fighters in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, takes center stage on April 4th and 5th at the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Stadium. This highly anticipated event promises intense action, with 44 top international fighters battling for glory in what is expected to be a landmark moment for combat sports in the region.
Adding to the excitement, MMA legend Conor McGregor is rumored to make a surprise appearance, bringing star power to an already stacked lineup. VIP ticket holders will also enjoy exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with renowned fighters and legends of the sport throughout the event.
BKFC founder David Feldman expressed his excitement about bringing the fastest-growing combat sport to Dubai. “We are thrilled to showcase the raw intensity and athleticism of bare-knuckle fighting in one of the world’s most dynamic sporting destinations. The response from fans and the fighting community has been overwhelming, and we’re proud to present our sport on such a grand stage.”
Exciting Lineup Across Multiple Weight Categories
Day 1 of the BKFC Dubai edition will feature gripping matchups across various weight classes:
– Bantamweight (135 lbs): Ruel Panales (Philippines) vs. Ali Elkhatib (Egypt)
– Welterweight (170 lbs): Lucas Sontgen (Germany) vs. Elnur Suleymanov (Azerbaijan)
– Lightweight (155 lbs): Islam Sizbulatov (Austria) vs. Cheng Leang (Cambodia)
– Cruiserweight (265 lbs): Jaskaran Singh (India) vs. Mohamed Ali (Egypt/Dubai)
– Middleweight (175 lbs): Marcus Pond (UK) vs. Mladen Iliev (Bulgaria)
The headline bout of the evening features a thrilling showdown between Austin Trout and Carlos Trinidad in the 165 lbs Welterweight category. Another highly anticipated clash will see Sabah Homasi (Lebanese descent/USA) face off against Jonny Tello (Canada/Thailand) in the 175 lbs Middleweight division.
Day 2 Brings More High-Octane Action
The second day continues with equally thrilling bouts across different divisions:
– Heavyweight (265 lbs): Mehdi Barghi (Iran) vs. Ricardo Bachir (Lebanon)
– Heavyweight: Guto Inocente (Brazil) vs. Hassan Yousefi (Iran)
– Bantamweight: Mohd Azahar (India) vs. Muhammad Bilal (Pakistan)
– Featherweight (145 lbs): Shamil Dzhakhbarov (Russia) vs. Dilshat Nurym (Kazakhstan)
The Middleweight (175 lbs) division will see Aaron Chalmers (UK) take on Chasa Symonds, while in the Cruiserweight (205 lbs) category, Welsh MMA fighter John Phillips will clash with Brazilian veteran Fabio Maldonado. Maldonado, known for his dominant performances in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions between 2009 and 2016, is set to test his experience against Phillips, who made a name for himself in the middleweight category.
Other notable matchups include:
– Welterweight: Vladislav Tuinov (Russia) vs. Adel Al Tamimi (USA/Iraq)
– Lightweight: Matin Safari (Iran) vs. Mark Angel Sadang (Philippines)
A Landmark Event for Dubai
Speaking about BKFC’s Dubai debut, Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew, co-founders of the World League of Fighters, emphasized the importance of the event for both the sport and the city.
“Dubai has always been a global hub for world-class sporting events, and we are excited to welcome BKFC for its debut here. This is more than just a fight; it’s about delivering a unique experience for fans and showcasing the technical mastery of bare-knuckle fighting.”
The Dubai Sports Council also voiced its support, highlighting how hosting BKFC aligns with the city’s vision of becoming a premier global destination for combat sports. “This event provides local combat sports enthusiasts with the opportunity to witness this thrilling discipline at the highest level.”
Tickets and Broadcast Details
Tickets for this historic event start at AED 399, with premium VIP packages offering exclusive experiences. The Dubai Duty Free Stadium was chosen to provide an intimate yet world-class viewing experience with top-notch safety and comfort for both athletes and fans.
In an exciting development, the event has secured radio partnerships with Channel 4 (UK), Al Arabia (Dubai), and Volna Radio (Russian) for widespread broadcasting across the Emirates.
With its star-studded lineup and unprecedented level of combat action, BKFC Dubai promises to be a historic event that cements Dubai’s status as a global hub for combat sports.