Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum joins PFL global ownership group
In a statement, the PFL said the latest announcement fortifies the PFL's commitment to expanding its presence in the Middle East and supporting the growth of mixed martial arts across the UAE and the region.
'I am delighted to join the PFL's ownership group as I believe in PFL's global vision to grow the sport of MMA,' Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum said in a press release. 'I am excited by PFL's momentum in staging world-class fight events in Dubai and the UAE region.'
Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum is chairman of Alpha MBM Investments, a diversified investment company based in Dubai with strategic interests across real estate, technology, energy, and sports.
The PFL made headlines earlier this year by h osting a landmark event in Dubai, the first of its kind by a global MMA organisation, in partnership with Dubai Economy & Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council. The card was headlined by a thrilling title bout between Russia's Usman Magomedov and Irishman Paul Hughes.
PFL International CEO Peter Murray hailed the new partnership: 'Welcoming Sheikh Mohammed to our ownership group is a major milestone. His leadership and expertise reinforce our commitment to the region and will help us further elevate MMA across the Middle East.'
The PFL Mena series, now in its second season, continues to unearth regional talent such as champions Abdullah Al Qahtani, Omar El Dafrawy, and trailblazing women's star Hattan Alsaif.
In April, Zamzam Al Hammadi, 17, became the first female Emirati to join a lead MMA promotion when she signed with the PFL.
The third event of the ongoing PFL Mena season is set to take place in September.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
29 minutes ago
- The National
How to enrol your child at school in the UAE
The UAE is home to some of the best private school brands in the world. That will soon include two campuses of the UK's renowned Harrow School. But as the UAE experiences an influx of residents, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, securing places for children at the best schools has become competitive. Whether you're new to the Emirates' education system and don't know where to start, or looking to switch your child's school, here's everything you need to know about getting a place. How has demand changed over the past year? There has been a significant increase in enrolments, driven by the high number of families moving to the UAE, notably from the UK, said Victoria Lumby, senior vice president of growth at Gems Education. 'Year on year, our total enrolments have risen by approximately 5 per cent.' To meet this rising demand, Gems Education has expanded capacity at some of its schools across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It also opened Gems Education Founders School – Masdar City and Gems Education Founders School – Dubai South last year, with Gems Education School of Research and Innovation to follow next month. Nikki Holman, head of admissions of UK curriculum schools at Taaleem, reported a similar increase. 'Over the past year, we have experienced accelerating demand across our school portfolio,' she said. 'New campuses such as Dubai British School Jumeira have reached high utilisation within their first year, and DBS Mira, set to open in August 2025, is already enrolling over 700 students, a record for a premium school in Dubai.' How do I know if a school is good? In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) rates schools regularly with six rankings, from 'very weak' to 'outstanding'. The rankings are available to the public in the Education Directory on its website. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) does the same, and these ratings are also available on its website. Inspection criteria include students' achievement and progress, teaching and learning quality, curriculum and resources, leadership, management, environment, and safety. The KHDA also measures well-being and inclusion. 'We advise families to visit schools, speak with leadership teams, try to meet parents already at the school and review KHDA or Adek inspection reports to understand the unique strengths of each school,' said Ms Holman. How do I choose the right curriculum? It's important to consider your children's learning needs, said Ms Holman. 'For families who may return to their home country, choosing a familiar curriculum often supports continuity. Although the British curriculum is by far the most popular among families, the International Baccalaureate is widely recognised as a highly transportable curriculum for globally mobile families,' she added. There are several curriculum frameworks to choose from in the UAE. Taaleem schools also offer American and French curriculums, while Gems Education also offers an Indian curriculum. How much are fees? Education institutions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can vary widely when it comes to fees. In May, the KHDA announced that private schools in Dubai will be allowed to increase tuition fees by up to 2.35 per cent in the 2025-2026 academic year. The fees can be found on each school's website. For example, following the price rise, at Kings' School Al Barsha in Dubai, Foundation Stage 1 costs Dh57,999, while Year 13 is Dh105,873. Brighton College Abu Dhabi charges Dh50,830 for nursery and Dh80,780 for Year 13. When should parents start the admissions process? The earlier the better. 'Choosing the right school for your child is a significant decision and one that should be made with careful consideration and time to explore all aspects of the school,' said Luke Steward, director of admissions and marketing at Swiss International Scientific School Dubai. 'Our admissions for the 2026/27 academic year will open once the current school year is under way, while we continue to accept applications for the current year where space is available.' Most schools open admissions in January for the academic year beginning the following September, said Ms Holman. At Gems Education, schools accept applications a full year in advance and they are open during the summer for tours and support with applications, added Ms Lumby. What is the admissions process? The process is similar across schools. It often includes an online application form, an application fee and the submission of documents, such as passport copies, visa pages, Emirates ID and school reports, depending on the year group you're applying for. An assessment appointment will follow and, if successful, an offer letter will be issued. The place will be reserved with a signed offer and deposit. What should my child expect from the admissions test? Tests depend on the grade and curriculum. They typically cover key subjects such as science, maths and English. In Abu Dhabi, children are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and the tests are used to help determine their grade level. In Dubai, assessments are often prerequisites for elite schools and some carry a non-refundable fee of up to Dh1,000 What happens if we are put on the waiting list? For many schools, being placed on a waiting list is common because year groups fill up fast, particularly in transitional years such as Foundation Stage or Year 1. For example, Gems Education schools such as Jumeirah Primary School, Jumeirah College and Gems Education Wellington International School have waiting lists across all year groups. Others, such as Gems Education International School, only have them in some year groups. Finding yourself on the waiting list can be unsettling for families, said Mr Steward of Swiss International Scientific School Dubai. 'While there is often movement as family plans shift, we can never guarantee when a place will become available,' he added. 'We always recommend that families check in with our admissions office as early as possible to understand current availability. Staying in regular contact ensures you're well positioned if a space becomes available.' At Gems Education, application fees need to be paid and assessments completed even if you're on the waiting list. 'Wait-listed families are then updated on a termly basis, but will need to reapply if they've been on the wait-list for over two years,' said Ms Lumby. 'When a seat becomes available, students with siblings already attending the school are given priority; otherwise, it's first come, first served.' What are common documentation issues? One of the most important documents is a transfer certificate from your child's current school. 'Depending on your country of origin, this may need to be attested,' said Mr Steward. 'If this step is missed or not completed properly, it can cause delays in final enrolment.' Beyond this, teacher recommendations are often required, which can be difficult to obtain during summer holidays. 'School reports are occasionally submitted in informal formats which can lead to delays,' added Mr Steward. 'Wherever possible, we kindly ask families to provide official, signed and dated academic records.' Remote assessments may also be required if the student cannot attend in person. 'These require appropriate invigilation to be considered valid, which can be a challenge if your current school is closed or teachers are unavailable during holidays,' said Mr Steward. Ms Holman also advised families to bring original birth certificates, immunisation records and previous school reports for the last two academic years. What support do schools offer families who are new to the UAE? Everything from personalised school tours to transition support, admissions consultations and a step-by-step onboarding process are offered, said Ms Holman. 'Our community-focused schools provide induction programmes for both students and parents, including orientation events, communication guidance and resources about life in the UAE.' What should I do if my child has additional needs? While inclusion services for children with physical or intellectual disabilities are mandatory as per the KHDA and Adek, provision widely varies, so parents should carry out detailed research to find the right fit, said Victoria McKeown, a neurodiversity specialist known as The Diverse Mind Coach. 'Try to get the school to offer a trial session. Very often, when they see what the child's needs are, they realise they can accommodate them because their needs aren't significant enough to need a huge amount of support,' she said. If a school is insisting on a learning support assistant (LSA), which comes at an extra cost, parents need to advocate for themselves, Ms McKeown added. 'Ask: what would the LSA be used for? How do you know my child will need this LSA, and also what would a phasing-out plan look like? How will we know when we don't need an LSA any more?' Above all, it's important to decide whether the school will be able to meet your children's needs, said Ms McKeown.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Federal Reserve meeting: If not now, then when?
The Federal Reserve enters this week facing relentless pressure from the White House, mixed economic data and continued uncertainty. Yet, in the face of it all, the US central bank is expected to hold rates steady once more. The meeting comes less than a week after President Donald Trump's tour of the Fed headquarters, where he and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell publicly bickered over the renovation project's costs. But with Mr Trump on holiday in Scotland, focus now shifts towards the Fed's interest rates. Mr Powell had acknowledged the bank would have cut rates by now were it not for Mr Trump's tariffs, which have put the global economy on edge since his announcement on April 2. The President's harsher 'reciprocal tariffs' are due to take effect on Friday. Meanwhile, recent data shows that other charges are beginning to be passed on to consumers. The Labour Department's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed that inflation rose to 2.7 per cent annually in June. Everyday goods such as toys, household appliances and clothing also saw price increases. Citing uncertainty surrounding tariffs and the current inflation level above its 2 per cent target, most Fed officials are signalling they will keep their target range level for a fifth consecutive meeting at 4.25 to 4.50 per cent. The UAE Central Bank, which mirrors Fed decisions due to the dollar peg, would also be expected to hold rates at 4.4 per cent following the US central bank's announcement. Path forward According to the Fed's projections from June, it still expects to cut rates twice this year to bring its target level to around 3.9 per cent. But with the central bank likely to hold interest rates at this meeting and only three left on the calendar this year, the window to cut is closing. 'We're simply taking some time,' Mr Powell said during a panel discussion in Portugal at the start of July. Mr Powell has practised extreme caution towards cutting rates this year, afraid that moving too soon or too quickly could lead to a renewed spike in prices not long after the most recent inflationary surge, with CPI inflation peaking at 9.1 per cent in 2022. 'When you get through an inflation episode like that, by the skin of their teeth, they're going to be really careful about anything that looks inflationary from now on,' said Derek Tang, an economist at LHMeyer/Monetary Policy Analytics in Washington. Traders anticipate the Fed will resume cutting rates in September, before reductions in October and December, according to CME Group data. A deluge of economic data this week should also give Fed officials greater clarity on the direction of the economy. When you get through an inflation episode like that, by the skin of their teeth, they're going to be really careful about anything that looks inflationary from now on Derek Tang, economist at LHMeyer / Monetary Policy Analytics The Labour Department will provide fresh insight into the health of the labour market with the Job Openings and Labour Turnover Survey on Tuesday and the June unemployment report on Friday. The government will also report on second-quarter GDP hours before the Fed rate announcement. US economic activity contracted by 0.5 per cent in the first quarter, but economists note that was due to a surge of imports as business rushed to get ahead of tariffs. The Fed's preferred inflation metric – Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index – for June is also due to be released on Thursday. Fed divisions Not everyone might be on board with the committee's decision this time. Public remarks indicate a growing division inside the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee. Fed Governor Christopher Waller, who holds a permanent vote on the rate-setting committee, laid out his case for a quarter-point cut earlier this month. Speaking in New York, he said the Fed should not wait for further weakening in the labour market to act. 'With inflation near target and the upside risks to inflation limited, we should not wait until the labour market deteriorates before we cut the policy rate,' he said. US job growth was more solid than expected in June, although most of those gains occurred in the government sector. At the same time, the unemployment rate has remained steady around 4.1 per cent. Dissents among FOMC members are rare. Under Mr Powell's stewardship, only 3 per cent of dissents have come from a Fed governor. 'I'm sure it'll get a lot of attention,' said David Wilcox, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and director of US economic research at Bloomberg Economics. However, he argued such disagreements could guard against groupthink. Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman could join Mr Waller's dissent after she voiced her own support for a rate cut this month. It would be the first time two Fed governors dissented on a rate move since 2002, when Alan Greenspan was in charge of the central bank. Mr Wilcox, a former staff member of the Federal Reserve Board, expects Mr Powell to acknowledge there could be a case to cut rates this week but that a majority of officials favour holding them steady. 'And he'll lay out the rationale for why that is,' he said. What will Trump say? Looming against this backdrop is Mr Trump, who softened his stance on Mr Powell last week after touring the Fed's headquarters. Those attacks have ranged from calling the Fed Chair a 'numbskull' to at times publicly considering whether he should fire him. But last week's tour offered some relief for Mr Powell after Mr Trump said he did not think the unprecedented move is necessary. 'I think we had a very good meeting on interest rates. And [Mr Powell] said to me … very strongly, the country is doing well,' Mr Trump told reporters after touring the Fed. 'I got that to mean that I think he's going to start recommending lower rates.' Mr Powell has sometimes cited the economy's strength as a reason not to move on rates. The President's holiday in Scotland could give the Federal Reserve some breathing room for now, although Mr Trump has proven he can dictate the news cycle and gyrate financial markets with a push of a button.
Al Etihad
7 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UFC mulls regional series for Middle East fighters
27 July 2025 23:33 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)Reinier de Ridder claimed the biggest victory of his MMA career on Saturday night, outpointing former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the headline bout of UFC Fight Night at the Etihad Arena. The shock result capped an action-packed 12-fight card and ended with renewed optimism about the sport's growth in the Gulf UFC's Senior Vice-President, David Shaw, confirmed post-event that the promotion is actively exploring the idea of launching a regional feeder programme in some shape or name, like a 'Road to UFC (RTU) or a challenger series of some sorts or anything else.' The concept could open new pathways for aspiring fighters from the Middle East and surrounding countries.'A concept like RTU would make a lot of sense, I think,' Shaw said. 'Even this season, it's the first time we've added non-Asian athletes. We had Kiwis and Aussies in the mix, so opening that up to fighters from the Middle East or Gulf countries is very much in the conversation. But no definitive plans yet.'Shaw suggested that such a move would align with the UFC's broader strategy of expanding its global footprint through off-prime events tailored to regional time zones. 'We've talked about our eight off-prime events – six of which are generally aligned with the UK, Europe, and Middle East time zones. There are a lot of great countries that we've been to before and hope to revisit,' he said. Inside the octagon, Dutchman de Ridder proved a dominant force against the heavily favoured Whittaker, controlling the pace to earn a split decision. The result raised questions about Whittaker's future in the division and boosted de Ridder's case for a title run. It was to be the beginning of the end for Whittaker, but the end seemed to have come at the start of the American's one last-ditch comeback mission to reclaim the middleweight division title. Despite his last match ending in defeat – in ugly fashion with three of his teeth taken out – Whittaker was the sentimental favourite purely on his vast it was the fairly raw Ridder who fought smart against Whittaker. Having appeared in five fights in exactly a year, starting from Abu Dhabi this time last year, De Ridder took a heavy beating in the third round, but pinned down Whittaker in the next two rounds into submission while landing small but consistent jabs with more ground control time.'I will be relaxing for a couple weeks and then we'll see [who could be a possible next rival],' said de Ridder. 'But we will see what happens. There's a lot going on in the middleweight division in the next couple of weeks.'De Ridder acknowledged Abu Dhabi's role in clearing him from the legal battle with his former promotion ONE Championship while notching his fourth successive victory in UFC since his debut. 'Habibi. Abu Dhabi. Shukran. I love you guys,' he said immediately after the fight. 'I'm a top-five fighter in the world, I guess. That's crazy. Who can believe it? And in one year! I think I have a good chance fighting for the title someday soon,' he UAE connection had a bitter-sweet evening as Emirati lightweight Mohammad Yahya lost to Stephen Nguyen, the latter notching up a record six knockdowns and earning the Fight of the Night award as a bonus. Still, Shaw acknowledged the need for structured development platforms in the region to take some shape, like the Road to UFC. The UAE, for instance, held a Showdown Week, which included a dual card 61&62 of the UAE Warriors promotion while introducing an inter-continental title between African and Arab fighters. The UAE's Al Ain region is hosting back-to-back the MMA Youth World Championship and the World Grappling Championship. While talks are ongoing, Shaw confirmed that it is part of the agenda for the UFC team behind an ever-evolving schedule. 'It's reasonable to think it's possible,' he said. 'When we are back to the war room every Tuesday, I'm sure Dana [White, president] and the crew will figure it out.'
