Emirates K-1 Combat kickboxing event is next up in Abu Dhabi
Following the successful staging of UFC’s Fight Island, two UAE Warriors mixed martial arts events and the Muaythai Fight Night, the Emirates K-1 Combat championship is set to be next up on the Abu Dhabi stage.
Fighters are set to arrive from around the globe for the professional kickboxing event that is set to take place at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort on September 18.
The UAE Muaythai and Kickboxing Federation, assisted by the International Kickboxing Federation, are already in the process of putting together a shortlist of the best available fighters for the event. “We expect some of the world’s best to be at this championship,” according to Tareq Al Muhairi, who is executive director of the UAE Muaythai and Kickboxing Federation, said at the launch ceremony of the event yesterday.
“The list of fighters will be announced once they have confirmed, along with all other details. We also want to provide fighters from the region and in the country with more opportunities.”
The federation staged a successful Asian championship in December and will be hosting the World Muaythai Championship next year but this will be its first kickboxing championship at this level.
“We obviously are very excited and looking forward for this new addition to our calendar of event and we really want to put up a grand show providing top fare kickboxing action for our fans,” Al Muhairi said.
“Our federation is the newest of all the combat sports federations in the country but we have made great progress and still moving forward in this short period of time.
“Here we are dealing with two different martial art sports that may appear to be similar. Muay Thai has an eight-point striking system that allows the fighter to use elbows and knees. In contrast, kickboxing allows only punches and kicks, and prohibits striking with elbows and knees.
“However, many of the techniques taught in the two martial arts are similar.”
The UAE federation made a big impact on the Muaythai world stage by winning a gold at the World Championship in Mexico in 2018 before hosting the Asian Championship in Abu Dhabi .
“That success in hosting the continental championship that won us in our bid to host the World Championship [originally set for July 2019] which had to be postponed after the Covid-19 breakout.
“The K-1 Combat will take place with all safety measures in place with the fighters as well as all those involved in having to go through the new normal Covid-19 precautionary process.
“The Muaythai Night [on July 24] served as a trial and now we are ready to step up for hosting a bigger event.
“At the moment, the plan is to conduct the championship behind closed doors. We are not sure if that’s going to change in a month’s time, but we are prepared.
“In any case, we are catering to a global audience and all action can be watched live on our UAM digital platform and affiliated websites.”
Fighters from around the globe will take part in the event at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort on September 18