If you have the guts, get ready to rumble and fight for glory in the ‘Guts & Glory’ MMA, K1, and Boxing Amateur Tournament organised by Glory MMA & Fitness Centre in Al Quoz, Dubai, on Friday, April 25.
The tournament is open to all UAE nationals, expats, and fitness club members; and the public can watch them fight at a gym that has been visited by the greatest MMA fighter of all time – Fedor ‘The Last Emperor’ Emelianenko, and other legendary world champion fighters such as Royce Gracie, George St Pierre, Stephan Fox, and former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez.
There will be three class divisions in each of the three disciplines – MMA, K1 (kickboxing), and boxing; Kids division (ages 10- 15 years); Junior (16-18); and Adult division (+19 years).
Registration fee is Dh100 per individual and participants are required to appear at the weigh-in on Thursday, April 24 between 12:30-21:00.
“This amateur tournament is our contribution to the growing sport of martial arts in the UAE,” said Glory MMA & Fitness Centrefounder Khalifa Al Mansoori.
“MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and it has been gaining a great surge in popularity not just in the UAE but in the entire region as well.
“Some people say MMA is an aggressive and violent sport, but it is not just that,” added Al Mansoori. “MMA, like other combat sports, is an art that teaches different styles of self-defence. It is very physical, and sometimes ferocious, but it is a regimen that challenges the limitations of one’s body.”
Al Mansoori believes that anyone – no matter his/her size or build – can participate in MMA and other combat sports “as long as one has the discipline to learn and do it.”
“We do not only promote the development of MMA in the country but, more importantly, we advocate active and healthy lifestyle. We encourage everyone to participate in physical recreation and improve their general well-being,” added Glory MMA & Fitness Centre managing partner Nahyan Al Amri.
“The tournament is not just about determining who’s the strongest. The athletes must also prepare mentally to win and endure the physicality of the sport,” Al Amri told Sport360°.
“It is not just about punching and kicking or grappling, rather it is about learning the techniques and building discipline.
“One may win and can be considered strong and fast but it doesn’t mean that the loser is weak – he is also a winner if he has inculcatedthe value of discipline. We believe at Glory MMA that ‘pain is temporary and glory is forever’, so one has to be persistent to become a good athlete,” said Al Amri.
Apart from watching the competition, Al Amri has also invited the public to check out their gym, which is now in its second year of operation.
Glory MMA & Fitness Centre has a world-class MMA training cage; boxing ring; wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu area; strength and conditioning section using the latest technology and innovation; outdoor Strongman Circuit; Sprint track; and Cross-fit section.
He added: “The tournament on Friday is for amateurs, but who knows we may be seeing the future stars of MMA.”
What: Guts & Glory Amateur Tournament (MMA, K1, Boxing)
When: Friday, April 25, 15:00
Weigh-in: Thursday, April 24, 12:30-21:00)
Where: Glory MMA & Fitness Centre – roof top floor of KML Business Centre, Al Meydan Road, Al Quoz 1, Dubai (after Dubai Bowling Centre, next to Safa Private School, same building as Al Manama Supermarket)
Registration fee: Dh100 per participant. Spectators Dh50.
Contact person: Edwin ‘Mohammad Ismail’ Barbasa (055 140 4664/ 04 338 2922/ glorymmafitness@ gmail.com)
Website: www.glorymma.ae
