The Global Fighting Championship (G.F.C.) has arrived, bringing the biggest and best names in martial arts to Dubai as four fighters compete to win a staggering Dhm1 million.
As well as the four-man tournament which features some of the best kickboxers in the world, there are seven fights on the undercard as a host of mixed martial artists compete to win a place in the G.F.C. Grand Prix.
To whet your appetite we’ve decided to give you the lowdown on the four fighters hoping to be crowned champion and what you can expect in the future from the G.F.C.
THE FIGHTERS
Badr Hari
Age: 29
Nationality: Moroccan-Dutch
Nickname: The Bad Boy
Fight record: 102 wins, 88 by KO, 12 losses
Hari began kickboxing at the age of seven and was soon introduced to the world famous Chakuriki Gym in his hometown of Amsterdam. A natural fighter he quickly earned a reputation as one of the most feared knockout artists in the sport.
By 2007 he had become the first ever K-1 heavyweight champion by defeating Yusuke Fujimoto within one minute, courtesy of a powerful kick to the chin.
Two years later he would defeat Semmy Schmit (a three-time K-1 world champion) in just 45 seconds to lift the ‘It’s Showtime Heavyweight Title’.
Hari will face Stefan Leko in his first fight and is extremely confident of emerging victorious.
“There are some good fighters but I don’t think a guy who is nearly 40 can compete with a 30-year-old who is at his peak,” Hari told Sport360° when discussing his fight with Leko. "I am always confident so expect nothing short of a KO.”
Stefan Leko
Age: 39
Nationality: German
Nickname: Blitz
Fight record: 69 wins, 38 by KO, 33 losses, 1 draw
The vastly experienced heavyweight has been winning major titles since 1996 and enters the four-man tournament having twice faced Thursday’s nights opponent Badr Hari.
Leko knocked out Hari with a spinning back kick in 2005 but later that year would fall foul to the very same kick.
After winning numerous titles in kickboxing, the German would try his hand at other combat sports such as MMA and Muay Thai. However, he would soon return to his first love and is confident he can secure a second win against his younger opponent.
“I made a mistake in my second fight against Badr, that will definitely not happen again.”
Arnold Oborotov
Age: 24
Nationality: Lithuanian
Nickname: Mr Roboto
Fight record: 33 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw
The youngest and least experienced in the tournament, Oborotov will certainly not be taken likely thanks to his impressive record since entering the sport.
The Lithuanian has already won an international kickboxing tournament this year and has been training out of his gym in England for the last seven weeks to make sure he is in the best shape possible.
Oborotov will face the hugely experienced Australian Peter Graham in his semi-final matchup and is keen to make a big statement as the underdog.
“I believe the hard work will pay off and I’ll get the top prize," he told Sport360°. "I’m in the best shape ever and I am confident I can win.”
Peter Graham
Age: 38
Nationality: Australian
Nickname: The Chief
Fight record: 58 wins, 22 by KO, 12 losses, 1 draw
Graham has been fighting professionally for 14 years and has amassed an impressive record that has seen him win numerous heavyweight tournaments.
A lover of all combat sports, the Aussie excelled while fighting in Japan and heads into the G.F.C. having already secured a win over Badr Hari using his trademark ‘Rolling Thunder’ somersault kick.
He would later lose to Hari during a K-1 Grand Prix event but enters the tournament in bullish mood after his wife gave birth to his second daughter just a matter of days ago.
“I was overcome emotion as it’s an incredible feeling," Graham explained to Sport360°. "If I could return home having won the championship then it would be a lovely achievement.”
THE G.F.C.
Hosted by Golden Cage Promotions and Events, the G.F.C have grand plans to host numerous tournaments in Dubai featuring the very best fighters from across the globe.
The brains behind the initiative is Amir Shaftpour who enjoyed a successful fight career in his own right before opening his own gym, The Champion Club in Dubai.
Now he hopes to host a series of world-class tournaments that would see the best boxers, kickboxers and mixed martial artists compete in the UAE.
“My vision is to provide fight entertainment 12 months a year,” said Shafypour. “So we might have one boxing show, one MMA and maybe even a Thai boxing event. We will have the concept of G.F.C. tournaments across all disciplines.”
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