Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
An Arab Fight Night Muay Thai Championship will make its inaugural bow on August 17 at the Space 42 Arena in Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone on the Arab Muay Thai scene.
The championship aims to elevate competitive standards and nurture the next generation of professional Muay Thai champions from the Arab nations. A total of 28 elite and talented fighters from 14 Arab nations will compete in the first staging of the competition.
Fighters from the UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, and Lebanon have been confirmed to participate. This impressive lineup not only highlights the strong representation from across the Arab region but also underscores the growing prominence of Muay Thai.
Among the standout competitors are UAE's Mohammed Mardi, a three-time world champion in the under-67 kilogramme class and a recent Muay Thai silver medallist in Greece; Palestinian Amir Al Amleh, the gold medallist at the World Muay Thai Championship (WMTC) in the under-63kg class; Moroccan Hamza Rachid, current WMTC bronze medallist; and Iraqi champion Sajjad Bashir, among other distinguished fighters.
The event features four exciting matchups involving UAE athletes Mardi, Ibrahim Bilal, Ahmed Al Shammar, and Rafi Ramzi, and will include semi-final draws for the coveted Arab Champion title in the middleweight category (67kg).
The championship is open to the public with free admission, offering fans the chance to witness top-tier Muay Thai action. The fighters are expected to arrive from August 14 while the weigh-ins and medical checks will be conducted on the morning before the fight night, August 16. The main fighters will speak to the media just before the draw and the face-offs at 4pm on the same day.
Expressing pride at the event's launch, Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi, President of the Asian and Arab Muay Thai Federations and the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, said: “It is part of our ongoing efforts to elevate the sport and support the excellence of Arab champions on both continental and global stages.
“This championship is an important opportunity for assessing players' readiness for major fights and is a crucial milestone in the development of Arab Muay Thai professionals. The introduction of this new professional championship highlights the strong Muay Thai foundation in the Arab world, featuring champions and elite fighters who are poised for success on the global stage. We are proud of the Arab stars who are making history and achieving high levels of success in continental and international events."
