Desert Force Championship

Last updated

Desert Force MMA Championship
TypePrivate
Industry Mixed martial arts promotion
FoundedOctober 10, 2 (2-10-10)
FounderZaid Mirza, [1] Mohammad Mirza, Zaid Abu-Soud
Headquarters
Amman
,
Jordan
Parent X-Sports Management, LLC

Desert Force Championship (DFC) was a mixed martial arts promotion company in the Arab world, which held most of the top-ranked Arab MMA fighters in the region. [2] [3] The championship has held ten televised events and presided over approximately 100 matches. [4] DFC currently airs on MBC Action on a bi-monthly basis. [5] In 2010 Desert Force launched the “Elimination Series”, a single-elimination tournament for Arab MMA fighters competing to become the first regional MMA title belt holders in 7 respective weight classes. Fighters from across the Middle East have competed in 7 weight classes, namely Bantamweights, Featherweights, Lightweights, Welterweights, Middleweights, Light-Heavyweights and Heavyweights; each class enforcing the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. Participating countries include: KSA, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia. [6] In recent years DFC fights have been officially refereed by MMA referee Yves Lavigne. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Contents

Current champions

DivisionUpper weight limitChampionSinceTitle defenses
Bantamweight 61 kg (134.5 lb) Flag of Jordan.svg Nawras AbzakhSeptember 5, 2016 (Desert Force 24)0
Middleweight 84 kg (185.2 lb) Flag of Lebanon.svg Mohammed KarakiDecember 7, 2015 (Desert Force 19)0
Welterweight 77 kg (169.8 lb) Flag of Tunisia.svg Mounir Lazzez March 23, 2015 (Desert Force 16)0
Lightweight 70 kg (154.3 lb) Flag of Morocco.svg Mohammed TrekiMarch 23, 2015 (Desert Force 16)0
Featherweight 66 kg (145.5 lb) Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Aziz JulaidanDecember 15, 2014 (Desert Force 14 - Al Academiya 2 Finale)0
Welterweight 77 kg (169.8 lb) Flag of Lebanon.svg Ahmed LabbanNovember 15, 1991 (Desert Force 15 - Al Academiya 3 Finale)0

Events

CountryEvent titleLocationDate
Flag of Egypt.svg Egypt Desert Force 19 - EgyptShooting Club Stadium, Cairo 2015-12-07
Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon Desert Force 18 - LebanonGhazir Stadium, BEIRUT 2015-08-18
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan Desert Force 17 - HomecomingAl-Hussein Youth City Boxing Arena - Amman2015-05-25
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia Desert Force 16 - Saudi ArabiaGreen Halls - Riyadh 2015-03-23
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg UAE Desert Force 15 - Abu DhabiFGB Arena2015-02-09
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia Desert Force 14 - Al Academiya 2 FinaleKSA Venue Jeddah 2014-12-15
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg UAE Desert Force 13 - Abu Dhabi FGB Arena 2014-08-25
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan Desert Force 12Al-Hussein Youth City Boxing Arena - Amman2014-04-28
Flag of Bahrain.svg Bahrain Desert Force 11 BahrainKhalifa Sports City Arena, Manama 2014-03-07
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan Desert Force 10 - Al Academiya FinaleAl-Hussein Youth City Boxing Arena - Amman2014-01-27
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg UAE Desert Force DubaiAUD Knights Arena2013-10-17
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan Desert Force - 2013 Grand Prix FinalsAl-Hussein Youth City Boxing Arena -Amman2013-06-15
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan Desert Force - 2013 Grand Prix SemifinalsAl-Hussein Youth City Boxing Arena - Amman2013-03-07
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan Desert Force - Round 2 on MBC Action Al-Hussein Youth City Boxing Arena - Amman2012-12-14
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan DFC - Desert Force 5Amman National Orthodox Club Gymnasium2012-09-07
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan Desert Force 4 - Middle East Grand PrixAmman National Orthodox Club Gymnasium2012-03-30
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan Desert Force 3 - Elimination Series: Knockout RoundAmman National Orthodox Club Gymnasium2010-09-30
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan DFC - Desert Force 2Amman National Orthodox Club Gymnasium2011-05-19
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan DFC - Desert Force 1Amman National Orthodox Club Gymnasium2010-09-08

Weight divisions

Weight class nameUpper limit
in pounds (lb)in kilograms (kg)
Bantamweight 135 lb61 kg
Featherweight 145 lb66 kg
Lightweight 155 lb70 kg
Welterweight 170 lb77 kg
Middleweight 185 lb84 kg
Light Heavyweight 205 lb93 kg
Heavyweight 265 lb120 kg

Desert Force Academy

The Desert Force Academy is a 13 episode reality TV series that started airing in November 2013 on MBC Action. The series follows the lives of 16 amateur Arab MMA fighters training and fighting for a chance to hold the Desert Force title for their respective weight. [2] [11] [12]

In the second season there was a big change and surprises in the fighters test, before it was only organize matches between fighters and the winner get the opportunity to participate. But in the second season they will train the fighters in military base for five days and who will survive will participate.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixed martial arts</span> Full-contact combat sport

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. The first documented use of the term mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Henderson</span> American Olympic wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter

Daniel Jeffery Henderson is an American retired mixed martial artist and Olympic wrestler, who last competed as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was the last Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and was the last Welterweight and Middleweight champion of Pride Fighting Championships. Henderson was the Brazil Open '97 Tournament Champion, the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament Champion, the Rings: King of Kings 1999 Tournament Champion and the Pride Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion. Henderson also challenged for the UFC Middleweight Championship (2x), the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship and the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship. Henderson was the first mixed martial artist to hold two titles in two different weight classes concurrently in a major MMA promotion. At the time of his retirement after UFC 204, he was the oldest fighter on the UFC roster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Vera</span> Filipino-American mixed martial arts fighter

Brandon Michael Vera, or also known by his ring name as The Truth, is a Filipino-American retired mixed martial artist where he was the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Champion and the 2005 WEC Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion. A professional competitor from 2002 until 2022, he competed in the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions of ONE Championship, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Vladimir Vladimirovich Matyushenko is a Belarusian retired mixed martial artist. A professional from 1997 until 2014, he competed for Bellator MMA, the UFC, Affliction, Jungle Fight, and is the former IFL light heavyweight champion, where he was a member of Ken Yasuda's Tokyo Sabres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Riggs</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Joseph Jonathan Riggs is an American professional bare-knuckle boxer and former mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2001, Riggs formerly competed for the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, ProElite, M-1 Global, and King of the Cage. Riggs is the former WEC Middleweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Bisping</span> English mixed martial arts fighter and actor

Michael Gavin Joseph Bisping is an English actor, sports analyst, commentator and retired mixed martial artist, who competed in the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight division of the UFC. A professional competitor since 2004, he is a former UFC Middleweight Champion, a former Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Champion and The Ultimate Fighter 3 Light Heavyweight tournament winner. At UFC 78, he became the first British fighter to compete in a UFC main event. At UFC 199, he became the first British fighter to win a UFC Championship. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on 5 July 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Stann</span> American mixed martial arts fighter and color commentator

Brian Michael Stann is an American former mixed martial artist and U.S. Marine who competed in the middleweight and light Heavyweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He also competed in the light heavyweight division of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), where he is a former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion. He was also a color commentator for both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and ACC football games on Fox Sports Net.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Cormier</span> American Olympic wrestler and mixed martial artist

Daniel Ryan Cormier is an American former professional mixed martial artist, amateur wrestler, and current commentator for the UFC. He is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion. Cormier is the second fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously and is the first fighter to have title defenses in two divisions. As an international wrestler, Cormier was a six-time US World or Olympic Team Member, a World bronze medalist, a World Cup runner-up, a Pan American Games gold medalist and a two-time Pan American champion. In folkstyle wrestling, Cormier was an NCAA Division I national finalist and two-time Big 12 Conference runner-up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He was also a two-time NJCAA champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cage Warriors</span> Martial arts promotion in London, England

Cage Warriors (CW) is an Irish-owned mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in London, England. The promotion was established in 2001 and staged its first MMA event in London in July, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhammed Lawal</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Muhammed Lawal, also known as "King Mo", is an American professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist currently signed to Major League Wrestling. As a mixed martial artist, he is a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion.

Blagoy Ivanov is a Bulgarian mixed martial artist and Sambo practitioner who competes in the Heavyweight division. Having priovously competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he was also the 2008 Combat Sambo World Champion and the former World Series of Fighting Heavyweight champion.

A variety of sports in Bahrain are popular and widespread. Association football is the most popular sport in the country. Other traditionally-popular sports include basketball, volleyball and handball. Sports such as horse racing, mixed martial arts and rugby union have gained popularity over the past few decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ONE Championship</span> Martial arts promoter based in Singapore

One Championship is a Singaporean combat sports promotion that regularly holds events featuring mixed martial arts (MMA), Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling, while having previously held boxing and Lethwei bouts. One is Asia's largest combat sports promotion company, having been backed by Singapore's state-owned GIC and Temasek Holdings, in addition to ICONIQ Capital, Mission Holdings, Sequoia Capital and Greenoaks Capital. In 2020, it was included on Nielsen's list of the world's top 10 biggest sports media properties in terms of viewership and engagement.

Ed West is a Filipino-born American mixed martial artist. He competed in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA, and the World Series of Fighting (WSOF).

Francimar Barroso is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, he has also competed for the UFC, Shooto, and Professional Fighters League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brave Combat Federation</span> MMA promoter based in Bahrain

BRAVE Combat Federation is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in Bahrain. The organization was established on 23 September 2016 by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. BRAVE Combat Federation features mixed martial artists from more than 80 nations located in five continents. BRAVE Combat Federation events are aired though multiple media partners including El Rey Network, Combate, Myx TV, S+A ESPN 5 and Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation. BRAVE Combat Federation produced six pay-per-view events apart from announcing events in Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

Brave 2: Dynasty was a mixed martial arts event held live by Brave Combat Federation on Friday December 2, 2016 at the Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, Bahrain. The event was broadcast live online and locally through Bahrain TV, ABS-CBN Sports and Action, and OSN Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assad Wasfi</span> Jordanian boxer and mixed martial artist (born 1994)

Assad Wasfi Al-Hanini born 29 May 1994 is a Jordanian olympic boxer, professional mixed martial artist, and musical artist. Who's a former fighter of DFC and Cage Warriors Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellator 257</span> Bellator mixed martial arts event in 2021

Bellator 257: Nemkov vs. Davis 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on April 16, 2021 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

2022 was the first year in the history of the Eagle Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Miami, Florida. The year began with Eagle FC 44.

References

  1. ↑ "Interview With Desert Force Founder Zaid Mirza Who Plans To Expand from the Middle East to Las Vegas - MMAmania.com". mmamania.com. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Desert Force MMA Championship kicks off on MBC Action | Rapid TV News". rapidtvnews.com. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Desert Force is finding its MMA niche in the Middle East | The National". thenational.ae. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Desert Force Championship Fights, Fight Cards, Videos, Pictures, Events and more". sherdog.com. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  5. ↑ "MBC.net - Desert force – MBC Action". mbc.net. Archived from the original on February 10, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  6. ↑ "The First Arab MMA Championship of its kind in the Middle East concludes in Amman - ArabsMMA". arabsmma.com. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  7. ↑ "browser - Please update to a modern browser". arabsmma.com. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Bahrain News Agency | Bahrain to host Desert Force MMA Championship". bna.bh. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Gulf Daily News » Local News » Bahrain set to host Desert Force Championship". gulf-daily-news.com. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Desert Force "Al Academiya" Finale Results: Fakhreddine Victorious After Thabet Suffers Knee Injury | The Flying Knee MMA". theflyingkneemma.com. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Google Translate". translate.google.jo. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Desert Force Martial Arts championship concludes in Amman | Sports | Ammon News". en.ammonnews.net. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.