Mansoor Bin Mohammed Attends Road To Champions Tournament Showcasing Dubai's MMA Scene

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, attended the ‘Road to Champions in Dubai’ tournament at the Coca-Cola Arena. Organised by the Professional Fighters League (PFL), this event is part of a collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council.

The tournament, named ‘Road to Dubai,’ is a unique series in the Middle East, culminating in Dubai. It highlights the city's role as a top destination for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes and global competitions. The event attracted a large audience, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a prime location for international sports events across various disciplines.

Sheikh Mansoor observed several matches alongside Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, and Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. The competition featured 11 matches with 22 fighters from 13 countries including UAE, Russia, Ireland, USA, Brazil, England, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and the Philippines.

Among the notable bouts was Emirati Hadi Omar Al-Hussaini's victory over Filipino Roel Banales in the flyweight category. Other exciting matchups included Irishman Nathan Kelly against Russian Khasan Magomedov and American fighter Johnson facing Russian Nemkov.

The city remains dedicated to using its resources and infrastructure to ensure successful events like this one. This commitment enhances its profile as a leading global sports hub. The Professional Fighters League continues to bring together world champions and prominent stars in mixed martial arts.

The tournament also saw clashes between Brazilian Clevers Fernandes and Russian Rinat Khavalov; Egyptian Ahmed Sami versus Syrian Tarek Suleiman; Uzbek Mirafzal ‘Mirko’ Akhtamov against Englishman Mike ‘Levi’ Thompson; Irishman John Mitchell facing Algerian Souhail Thahri; Saudi Mustafa Nada battling British fighter Haider ‘Darth’ Khan; and an amateur match between Emirati Saeed Al-Hosani and Kuwaiti Talal Al-Qallaf.

This series is set to continue in future years, further establishing Dubai as a global centre for this rapidly growing sport. The Professional Fighters League's partnership with local entities underscores their commitment to promoting MMA on an international scale.

With inputs from WAM