Video: Press conference gets heated ahead of historic ONE 166: Qatar showdown

We are less than two days away from the historic ONE 166: Qatar event and the fight week festivities are turning the anticipation levels up even higher.
This Friday at the Lusail Sports Arena we will see an incredible three title fights, and a loaded card featuring some of the best martial arts talent both regionally and globally.
As we step closer to the opening bell, the fighters were able to do some verbal sparring on Tuesday as the official press conference took place.
Middleweight challenger Anatoly Malykhin questioned champion Reinier de Ridder’s versatility while predicting a first round KO, Amir Aliakbari laid out his path to redemption, Jarred Brooks expressed his love for Filipinos but predicted a bad night for them and Joshua Pacio, while Thanh Le said he we would be finishing Tang Kai in their featherweight MMA title bout.
Check out all this and a lot more in this wrap up from the electric press conference

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ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/348891/video-press-conference-gets-heated-ahead-of-historic-one-166-qatar-showdown

ONE 166: Qatar – The three title matches set to grip the fight world this week

Ever since ONE Championship announced they would be holding a show in Qatar for the very first time, we knew they would pull out all the stops to make it something special.
With a card loaded with Middle East talent, along with pivotal divisional fights across the lineup there is a lot to look forward to in the early stages of ONE 166:Qatar.
But once we get to the top end of the bill we are given three matchups that all have the potential to be fight of the night contenders.
Here are the three title fights going down at the Lusail Sports Arena this Friday.
Reiner de Ridder vs. Anatoly Malykhin for the ONE middleweight MMA title 
The very thought of this fight is somewhat preposterous. Analtoly Malykhin is looking to do something never been done before and hold world titles across three different weight classes simultaneously. For the heavyweight and light-heavyweight champion to even contemplate a shot at the middleweight crown is reason enough to tune in, but add to this the fact he will be facing the man he took the light-heavyweight title from and we have a blockbuster. De Ridder will be doing everything in his powers to halt the Malykhin express, and hang on to his remaining piece of gold.
Tang Kai vs Thanh Le for the ONE featherweight MMA title 
The featherweight MMA division will be unified in Qatar as champion Tang Kai takes on interim title holder Thanh Le in a mouthwatering rematch. China’s Kai has been out of the ring since August 2002 when he scored a unanimous decision win over Le. In doing so he became ONE’s first Chinese MMA world champion, but injury has prevented him from defending his crown. In the meantime Le has seen off the challenge of Russia’s Ilya Freymanov in a little over a minute and is now focussed on regaining his crown.
Jarred Brooks vs Joshua Pacio for the ONE strawweight MMA title 
In the second of the night’s co-main events we have another rematch – and another former champion on a revenge mission. America’s Jarred Brooks is undefeated in ONE’s strawweight MMA division. He built up an impressive three-fight win-streak following his debut in 2021 and found himself facing this week’s opponent Joshua Pacio for the title in December 2022. The 31-year-old came away with an impressive UD win, and 26 pounds of gold. Since then his only outing in ONE has been a grappling contest with world champion Mikey Musumeci which ended in a submission loss. Pacio, from the Philippines, got himself back in the win column in October last year against Mansur Malachiev, and now he has Brooks, and that strawweight title, firmly in his sights. 
ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.
 

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/348890/one-166-qatar-the-three-title-matches-set-to-grip-the-fight-world-this-week

Four Arab fighters you have to watch at ONE 166: Qatar

The countdown is almost over, ONE Championship’s return to the Middle East takes place this Friday and there is plenty of top-tier regional talent on display.
As well as the blockbuster three title fights topping the card, there are a number of incredible bouts local fighters looking to make their mark at the Lusail Sports Arena on Friday.
Here is our rundown of four to keep an eye on…..

Amir Aliakbari

The Iranian heavyweight can take a huge step forward in his hunt for  the ONE Championship heavyweight MMA title when he takes on India’s Arjan Bhullar. There has been a considerable war of words between the wo in the lead up to the fight, so expect no love lost. Aliakbari, having lost his first two ONE bouts, has now strung three consecutive wins together and is a real force in the division.
2 and 3. Zuhayr Al-Qahtani and Mehdi Zatout
Zuhayr Al-Qahtani will take his undefeated boxing record to Qatar
One of the night’s most intriguing contests pitts two MENA fighters against each other. For the first time since 2017 boxing will be featured on a ONE card when 9-0 pro boxer Al-Qahtani takes on one of the world’s great strikers in Zatout – who is coming out of retirement for the challenge.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani will be making his promotional debut on Friday, but has amassed an impressive record in the ring and will be looking to make the most of the ONE platform. 
Zatout, from Algeria, may not have the boxing pedigree of his opponent, but has been one of the world’s premier Muay Thai practitioners with more than 100 competitive bouts to his name. 
Get ready for something special in this one.

Osamah Almarwai

Osamah Almarwai wants to put the Middle East on the global fight map
When it comes to talking about world elite, you cannot have a grappling conversation without mentioning Yemeni-Saudi Osamah Almarwai.      
The 31-year-old was the first-ever IBJJF Black Belt World Champion from the Middle East and he is now keen to translate that ability onto the ONE stage. He has already taken on the flyweight champion Mikey Musumeci on his debut and hopes his second outing with one this week can get him back on the ladder to a title shot.
In Qatar he will face Brazil’s Cleber Sousa, an elite BBJ competitor in his own right, who will also harbour title ambitions. But with the hopes of an entire region on his shoulders, Almarwai will be looking to send the crowd home happy with a conclusive win.
ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/348889/four-arab-fighters-you-have-to-watch-at-one-166-qatar

ONE 166: Qatar – Debutant Al-Qahtani on his dream come true, and pride in representing the region

Saudi Arabia’s Zuhayr Al-Qahtani makes his ONE Championship debut next week at ONE 166: Qatar – and promises to steal the show.
In a rare occurrence for ONE, the 34-year-old will compete in a boxing match against elite striker Mehdi Zatout from Algeria.
A true student of the sport, Al-Qahtani has dedicated his life to boxing, and mastering his art, and currently boasts a perfect 9-0 record. 
Having studied in the UK, Al-Qahtani learned his trade in some of London’s toughest gyms, but now, for just the fourth time in his career, he will have the opportunity to showcase his skills in front of his home fans in the Middle East.
On March 1 at the Lusail Sports Arena, The Arabian Warrior will be surrounded by thousands of ‘home’ fans, and it is something he recognises and wants to repay their support. 
“It means a lot to represent the region,” he said. “It feels like the entire region’s weight is on my shoulders. I am just here to please the fans. That’s my main aspiration. I’m a prizefighter, I want the fans to enjoy what they see, so I need to give back to the sport.“

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He is also thankful to ONE Championship for coming to the region, and giving him the opportunity to showcase his abilities by putting on their first boxing match since 2018.
“It’s a historic moment,” he added. “There’s no other way to describe it. First of all, I’d like to say a massive thank you to ONE Championship. They have done something so amazing by creating the first big martial arts event in Qatar. And having me on the bill is something that I find hard to explain before the fight. I may be able to explain in detail after the fight.   
“It is a dream come true. I needed to be part of this giant. Being part of ONE can revolutionize my whole life and my whole future. It can bring me closer to goals that need to be done. This fight will be just the start, the stepping stone to something bigger.”
In Mehdi Zatout, Al-Qahtani faces an elite striker – but with all four limbs. He may not be accustomed to boxing, but the home favourite knows his reputation, and while he respects his previous achievements, there is no fear on display.
“Mehdi Zatout is an excellent martial artist. He’s achieved a lot of good things in martial arts and Muay Thai. He’s done great things for the sport. However, he’s coming up against a boxer. I do believe he is in a different dimension.
“The fight was too good to turn it down. To compete against Mehdi Zatout is just something that I would love to have on my resume. His skills are great. I am going against a former [Muay Thai] World Champion.  
All that is left now is for the two to battle it out in a week’s time, and despite an already loaded card Al-Qahtani knows which fight he thinks fans will be talking about at the end of the night.
“It seems that our two styles are crowd pleasers. He’s pumped by the crowd, and I’m pumped by the crowd as well. We’re here to entertain all the fans.   
“All I can tell you now is that it will be an exciting fight and will probably be the best fight of the show.”
ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.
 

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/348887/one-166-qatar-debutant-al-qahtani-on-his-dream-come-true-and-pride-in-representing-the-region

ONE 166: Qatar – Full fight card confirmed for massive night in the Middle East

The full card for ONE 166: Qatar has been released  – and fight fans are in for a special night.
Three world title fights will top the bill on March 1 at the Lusail Sports Arena, but there is depth across the lineup – especially when it comes to fighters hailing from the Middle East.
The main event will see Russia’s Anatoly Malykhin try to make history by becoming the first fighter to consecutively hold world titles across three weight categories. He is already the ONE Championship heavyweight and light-heavyweight champion, but is now looking to claim middleweight gold too. Standing in his way is Reinier de Ridder from the Netherlands – the man Malykhin beat for the light-heavyweight crown.
Also on the night, the featherweight MMA division will be unified when champion Tang Kai puts his title on the line against interim title holder Thanh Le, while Joshua Pacio will look to dethrone strawweight MMA champion Jarred Brooks in a second co-main event.
As for the Middle East interest – there is plenty. Iran’s Amir Aliakbari will take on India’s Arjan Bhullar with major consequences for the top end of the heavyweight division. Yemeni-Saudi Osamah Almarwai, one of the world’s premier grapplers, will look to get the better of Brazil’s Cleber Sousa in the flyweight submission grappling division and hopefully earn another shot at champion Mikey Musumeci.
There is also a mouth-watering catchweight boxing clash, when Saudi Arabia’s Zuhayr Al-Qahtani makes his ONE Championship debut, taking on legendary Algerian striker Mahdi Zatout.
The full line-up can be seen here:

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ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.
 

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/348886/one-166-qatar-full-fight-card-confirmed-for-massive-night-in-the-middle-east

Video: The finishers who will make ONE 166: Qatar one of the fight events of the year

When we talk about fight cards, the word ‘stacked’ is often overused.
On March 1 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar, one of the best cards assembled will play out – and it is loaded with finishers who have a habit of making highlight reels every time they compete.
At the top of the card the three world title fights speak for themselves. Anatoly Malykhin looks to make history in becoming a consecutive three-weight ONE Championship world champion – but middleweight MMA king Reinier de Ridder stands in his way.
The featherweight MMA division will be unified when current champ Tang Kai takes on interim title holder Thanh Le in what should be an explosive encounter.
And finally strawweight MMA champ Jarred Brooks puts his title on the line against Joshua Pacio.
All the fights are ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ battles, but that’s by no means all.
Throw into the mix the likes of Amir Aliakbari, Arjan Bhullar and Mehdi Zatout and you can see a night of fights loaded with athletes who can end contests in a heartbeat.
Check the best bits from some of the fighters involved here

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ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.
 

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/348885/video-the-finishers-who-will-make-one-166-qatar-one-of-the-fight-events-of-the-year

ONE 166: Qatar – Middle East world champion wants region on the fight map – and a ONE world title shot

Yemeni-Saudi Arabian hero Osamah Almarwai is ready for arguably the biggest night of his career as he fights for an entire region – as well as his own dream of winning a ONE Championship world title.
The 31-year-old, the first-ever IBJJF Black Belt World Champion from the Middle East, will step into the ring at ONE 166: Qatar to face Brazil’s Cleber Sousa in a highly anticipated submission grappling match between two of the planet’s elite jiu-jitsu practitioners.
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Almarwai followed in his brother’s footsteps when starting out in martial arts and has rocketed to stardom being the Middle East’s standout BJJ talent.
Having moved to the US in 2019 to study, his exposure to high level training and ultra competitive team environments made him a hot property in the grappling world, with ONE immediately giving him a shot at divisional champion Mikey Musumeci, but more on that later. 
For now, Almarwai is focused on Sousa, and a return to the Middle East, and a chance to show the world the talent, hunger, and passion that exists in the region.
“First of all I want to represent my region well. The fact that ONE Championship is doing an event in the Middle East shows you that the martial art scene is growing,” he said. “Whenever I talk to people in the Middle East, they’re big fans of martial arts and grappling specifically. So going to the Middle East and being in Qatar – I’m very excited to be a part of the event.
“I want to put the Middle East on the map. Especially now ONE Championship has trust in Middle Eastern athletes. I really want to do well. I wanna put on a show and excite the fans.
Hopefully then we’ll have more events in the Middle East from ONE Championship.”
As mentioned, Almarwai debuted in ONE with a match against current flyweight submission grappling champion Mikey Musumeci. A generational talent, Musumenci has swept all before him but Almarwai was only a couple of minutes away from going the distance and now he his sights on a rematch – and a world title.
“Honestly, that match has made me grow as an athlete and as a person,” he said. “I knew Mikey was going to be a tough fighter, but now, I have fought him, I feel like I’m used to that environment, and I feel my performance would be way better, especially in a cage.  I have known Cleber for a while and he’s a seasoned competitor, but when I beat him I’ll get another shot.
“This year is all about putting the Middle East on the map, but hopefully I will get another shot at the belt and I’ll become the champion of the 135lbs division.”
ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/348883/one-166-qatar-middle-east-world-champion-wants-region-on-the-fight-map-and-a-one-world-title-shot

Video: Anatoly Malykhin shares weight cut secrets to drop from heavyweight to middleweight ahead of ONE 166: Qatar

Video: Anatoly Malykhin shares weight cut secrets to drop from heavyweight to middleweight ahead of ONE 166: Qatar
When ONE Championship arrives in Qatar next week Anatoly Malykhin will be looking to make history as the first fighter to hold MMA titles in three weight classes simultaneously.
The Russian is already ONE’s heavyweight and light-heavyweight king – and now he’s looking for a third title in the Lusail Sports Arena on March 1.
Standing in his way will be reigning champion Reinier de Ridder, the man he beat for the light-heavyweight crown in December 2022.
Last time out Malykhin defeated India’s Arjan Bhullar heavyweight and many have been questioning quite how he will be able to drop down to the 205lbs ONE middleweight limit.
In the video below, we get a sneak peek at just how he his managing to keep his weight cut under control!

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ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/boxing-mma/one-championship-mma/348882/video-anatoly-malykhin-shares-weight-cut-secrets-to-drop-from-heavyweight-to-middleweight-ahead-of-one-166-qatar

Mohammad Amir enjoying the Pakistan vibes in the Desert Vipers camp

There is a distinct Pakistan flavour in the Desert Vipers camp in this year’s edition of the ILT20. With as many as four Pakistan players in their squad, it is no surprise that the Vipers have attracted plenty of eyeballs from fans in a country with a significant South Asian expat population.
This was very much evident when three Desert Vipers stars showed up for a meet and greet with fans at Umbro’s flagship store in Dubai. Mohammad Amir turned out to be particularly popular as a sizable number of fans jostled for autographs and pictures with the players.
The veteran Pakistan pacer has been the Vipers’ stacked bowling attack with aplomb this year and has already racked up 11 wickets in the campaign so far. Amir is no stranger to performing to a high standard in multiple T20 leagues around the globe, but he is especially enjoying the battle in the ILT20.
“What I like about the ILT20 is the fact that you have nine international players in the playing XI. This is unique to any T20 league in the world. It ensures that the standard is set very high,” he said.
“You have to constantly be on your toes in this league as a bowler because every batter is a seasoned international,” the Pakistan star continued.
While he has enjoyed bamboozling some quality batters in the ILT20, Amir has also relished the pace partnership with fellow compatriot and left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi. Watching the two southpaws bowl together in tandem after nearly four years has been a treat to many Pakistan fans.

“I have enjoyed it,” Amir said of the brief partnership with Afridi before the latter’s early exit from the tournament.
“I have always been a believer in bowling being a partnership. Shaheen is a superb bowler. With him, there is a good understanding.
“When the pitch is playing a particular way, he will tell me exactly what it is doing. Whether it is swinging or if the ball is holding on the surface. And the same goes for me when it comes to passing information about the pitch to him.
“It reduces the pressure on me too, when you know there is a quality pacer bowling from the other end.”
Alongside Shaheen, the Vipers camp has also roped in Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and Azam Khan for this year’s edition. They are the first ILT20 franchise to contract players from Pakistan. Amir has loved every minute of his time with his compatriots.
“These are players with whom I have played domestic and international cricket with,” he said.
“It has been nearly four years since I have been on the same team as Shadab and Shaheen.

“We have played for different teams in the Pakistan Super League in recent years, so to share the same dressing room is nice.
“To be honest, the dressing room feels like being Pakistan at times,” the 31-year-old added.
With significant Pakistan support behind them, the Desert Vipers and Amir will hope they can pull a rabbit out of their hats and clinch a play-off spot of the ILT20. At the time of writing, they currently sit in the fifth spot in the table with six points from 8 games. The top four teams in the competition progress to the play-offs.
 
 
 
 
 
 

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/cricket/cricket_pakistan/348870/mohammad-amir-enjoying-the-pakistan-vibes-in-the-desert-vipers-camp

Under Armour’s new Infinite Elite boosts runners in the Middle East

Under Armour’s latest edition to its growing running collection puts a spring in your step.
The UA Infinite Elite – released in the Middle East on February 2 – has been engineered with improved UA HOVR+™ technology –  tiny foam beds molded together provide improved bounce and comfort, making it the ultimate endurance shoe. This best-in-class midsole cushioning ensures a lightweight and responsive ride; whether logging the miles or recuperating on recovery days.
UA Infinite Elite is the flagship style in the UA Infinite Collection, which also includes an alternative style, the UA Infinite Pro for daily trainers. Sport360 joined 2022 New York City Marathon winner Sharon Lokedi, alongside other key industry influencers and global media, last month to test the Infinite Elite across Barcelona’s iconic streets. Lokedi was part of the product development process with Under Armour.
Lokedi says: “As an athlete, feeling included makes a big difference and I am happy Under Armour does that with us. Having the right shoe is very important, it is the priority for you as a runner. You can run with any clothes, but not any shoes.”

This insight is apparent throughout the outstanding Infinite Elite experience.
The sloped heel design and light, but durable Thinweb rubber sole effortlessly absorbed impact on steep climbs at Montjuic Park.
Distances logged came easily on the charge from Placa de Catalunya, through the iconic Gothic Quarter and serene oceanic views at Playa Mar. This was aided by the full-length UA Intelliknit upper built with zonal stretch which moves with each runner’s unique stride, guaranteeing a precision 1:1 fit.
Such plush comfort is at the heart of everything offered by Infinite Elite. From the collar and foam tongue, to the laces and 3D-molded sock-liner.
The attention to detail has been driven by Jonathan Hutnyan, Senior Product Line Manager of Performance Run Footwear at Under Armour. With the running shoe space increasingly competitive, how does Infinite Elite stand out from the rest?
Hutnyan replies: “It’s through not only getting into the softer, higher stack-height space, but doing it with new deliberate geometry that gives additional benefits to the runner.
“I think that is the next forefront of runwear. We’re all chasing new foams, plates and things like that.

“But, what else can we do to manipulate the shoe to benefit the runner? For Infinite Elite, going a little bit lighter with nets and gauges to offset the high, soft stack height and keep the athlete stable and confident.
“At the same time compared to our Velociti products, it’s a lot more aggressive in the toe shape to drive a better propulsion on race day.”
The UA Infinite Collection can be found on underarmour.ae and underarmour.sa and in select stores for both men and women. It retails at AED 749, SAR 899, KWD 64.9, OMR 77.9, QAR 749 and BHD 77.9.

from Sport360 – Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/health-and-fitness/348863/under-armours-new-infinite-elite-boosts-runners-in-the-middle-east