ADFC

The promotion launched with an open-weight grand prix in MMA, the first of its kind in the region. Eight International Mixed Martial Artists competed in the championship for the 1 Million Dirham Grand Prize which was to be the reward to the champion, also crowned the 1st ever ADFC Champion and who was to don the 1st ever ADFC Title Belt. The open-weight championship took place over three events, the first of which was on May 14th, 2010, and the last of which saw the crowning of the ADFC Champ and their receipt of the 1,000,000 Dirhams. The 2nd Round was held on the 22nd of October, four champions returning for the semi-finals. Finally, from the original eight champions, only Marcos Oliveira and Shamil Abdurahimov qualified for the final round, Round 3, which took place on March 11th, 2011. All three primary Rounds taking place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

Almost one year after the region got its own MMA franchise, it got its first MMA champion.

Shamil ‘Rostov-on-Don’ Abdurahimov won the ADFC open weight Grand Prix on to become the first ADFC  open-wieght champion and take home the AED 1,000,000  grand prize along with the title belt. Abdurahimov defeated his opponent Brazilian Marcos Oliveira in 1:56 of the first round with a technical knockout (TKO) due to strikes.

Great emphasis is also being placed on local talent, the fighters of the UAE, Gulf Region, North Africa and Asia. As such, side fights placing local against international fighters accompany the Championship. ADFC was and will remain a platform for local fighters to exhibit their skills and talent and to propel them into international spotlight.