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DFC 4: The next stepping stone for Dubai's MMA scene
As a lifelong Mixed Martial Arts fanatic and professional fighter with 10 fights under his belt, Tam Khan had a vision.
That vision was established in 2006, when on vacation in Dubai he got the itch to train. The problem was there were no MMA gyms in Dubai, and for the sport that is the fastest growing in the world, that problem needed correcting.
Fast forward two years and the foundation were set for Dubai Fighting Championships (DFC).
In the aforementioned vision, there were local fighters getting training in Dubai by experts in their respective Martial Arts disciplines and developed into world class fighters.
That vision is now a reality. That reality includes the first Dubai MMA Academy which opened in 2010, the first Dubai based promotion, and an upcoming reality TV series which is, of course, not reality.
Nowadays, people of all ages are coming to Tam’s gym Glory MMA and Fitness - formerly Contender MMA - looking to get started in martial arts. Many come to improve their martial arts skills and get in shape.
After the launch of DFC, however, they come with an alternate goal; to try and be one of the best martial artists in the world and fight in the top levels of the sport.
On Friday, May 10th 2013 in Madinat Arena at 7:00 P.M. there will be fireworks. Not New Year’s Eve fireworks, but a different version promising plenty more anticipation, excitement, and heart stopping moments.
Dubai Fighting Championship will open its doors to the general public for the fourth time providing not only prospects brimming with potential, but established veterans with accolades usually reserved for fighters with Dana White on speed dial.
And to witness the special occasion will be special guests Royce Gracie, who needs no introductions within MMA circles, and the #2 ranked kickboxer in the world and former K-1 Champion, Gokhan Saki.
The DFC 4 Main Card will include nine fighters who harnessed their abilities in local gyms, and to further prove the global reach of the sport, no less than eight nationalities will be on display.
The one constant; all twelve fighters will be giving 100% to get the win and move up the DFC ladder. In having a pool of fighters all developing with rapid pace and with the potential to fight some of the biggest names of the sport, these guys can now legitimately propel themselves to the top of the MMA world.
Although no titles have been created, two fights on this card will serve as the de facto title eliminators for an upcoming Welterweight Division title.
With further titles on the horizon all fighters would do well to keep that image of a belt strapped around their waist, as though further motivation is needed.
In bringing over Paul Daley, a top ranked Welterweight in the world and former UFC contender, one needs not look too far to see the potential that is out there.
Winning a fight over someone like Daley will not just give credence to the idea that you are a legitimate martial artist it will thoroughly validate it.
Daley is less than three years removed from fighting in a title eliminator against Josh Koscheck for the opportunity to fight Georges St. Pierre, the longtime UFC champion and consensus top 3 pound for pound fighter in the world.
And at 30 years of age, he is still in the prime of his career. His opponent Rodrigo Ribeiro last lost to long-time UFC veteran, Phil Baroni in August of last year.
He will be looking for redemption and a statement win, and lucky for him Dubai Fighting Championships will give him the opportunity to do both.
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