The Olympic flame is more than just a symbol; it's a beacon of hope and dreams for athletes worldwide, especially for judokas at the 2024 Paris Games. The anticipation is especially high for French competitors, who will feel an intense mix of support and pressure from local fans. But which athletes are poised to capture gold in this prestigious arena? Top Contenders and Veteran Champions In the men's heavyweight division, Teddy Riner of France is a standout. Known as "The Boss," Riner is a judo titan with ten World Championships and three Olympic golds to his name. Despite his advancing age, his track record and the home crowd's support make him a formidable contender. However, Riner will face formidable opposition from newcomers like Temur Rakhimov of Tajikistan, known for his dynamic throws, and Inal Tasoev of Russia, a tactical genius with two World Championship silvers. On the women’s front, Clarisse Agbegnenou is the favorite in the 63kg category. With six World Championship titles and an Olympic gold from Tokyo 2020, Agbegnenou has shown remarkable resilience and form post-motherhood. Yet, she'll need to fend off competitors like Miku Tashiro of Japan and Kristine Abiatalla of Canada, both renowned for their aggressive and fast-paced judo. Emerging Talents and New Threats The Paris Olympics could also be a stage for the rise of new judo stars. Watch out for Giorgi Sardalashvili from Georgia in the men’s lightweight division, a young but already decorated judoka. Tato Grigalashvili, another Georgian, continues to impress in the 81kg category, alongside Matthias Casse of Belgium, known for his strategic mastery. In women's judo, Anna-Maria Wagner of Germany and Christa Deguchi of Canada represent the future of the sport. Wagner's power and technique make her a strong contender, while Deguchi's resilience and tactical acumen have seen her rise rapidly in the ranks. The Influence of the Home Crowd The Parisian crowd will provide a unique backdrop, offering both motivation and immense pressure. While experienced competitors like Riner and Agbegnenou might use this to their advantage, younger athletes may find the expectations overwhelming. Balancing this pressure with performance will be crucial for French judokas. As we approach the 2024 Judo competition in Paris, the mix of seasoned champions and emerging stars promises thrilling confrontations and potential upsets. While favorites add excitement, every judoka's journey to this stage is a remarkable achievement worthy of admiration. We look forward to witnessing these athletes' journeys as they vie for Olympic glory in Paris. This article first appeared on https://www.judoinside.com/

GLORY, returns to Croatia for the first time in over a decade. Taking place at the Arena Zagreb on September 21,  GLORY 95  will see the highly anticipated return of Croatia’s very own  Antonio Plazibat (22-5, 16 KO) . The popular heavyweight has been out of action since last year after suffering a broken arm in his last fight and now looks to make a triumphant comeback in front of his home country. “I’m happy to finally be back and to see GLORY return to Croatia for the first time in ten years,” said Antonio Plazibat. “The only thing to be better than winning my comeback is to do it in front of my own fans. I will put on a show for everyone. Fans will not want to miss GLORY 95. September 21 will be one of biggest nights for kickboxing in the Balkans.” With a history of devastating knockouts, Plazibat is one of the most exciting heavyweights on the planet and fans can expect fireworks on his return. His opponent and more exciting additions for the GLORY 95 fight card will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Puja Tomar 's ascent from the rural landscapes of Muzaffarnagar, India, to the global arena of the UFC has been a story of resilience and breakthrough, marking her debut as the first Indian woman in the UFC where she will face Rayanne dos Santos in Louisville. Puja Tomar was born and raised in the small town of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, India where opportunities for women in sports, especially combat sports, were scarce. The loss of her father at the age of 12 was a turning point. With the family's safety a new concern, Tomar found her calling in martial arts, initially taking up karate and kickboxing as means of self-defense and empowerment. Her mother, ever supportive yet unfamiliar with martial arts, became Tomar's biggest advocate, encouraging her to push the boundaries of societal expectations and pursue a professional career. Transitioning to mixed martial arts was not an easy path. Tomar faced numerous challenges, from limited training resources to societal stigma around women participating in such a vigorous sport. However, her tenacity led her to a professional MMA career, amassing an impressive record of 8-4, highlighted by six knockouts and a four-fight winning streak. Her prowess in Wushu, a form of Chinese martial arts, gave her an edge in striking, making her a formidable opponent in the ring. Her journey from local competitions to international stages has been both inspiring and arduous. In India, the sport wasn't as recognized, especially for women. There were few facilities, and even fewer opportunities for serious training. Despite these obstacles, Tomar's commitment never wavered. Her performances in Asian mixed martial arts circuits caught the attention of international scouts, paving Puja Tomar's way to the UFC. Now, as she prepares for her debut, the significance of her participation extends well beyond personal achievement. Tomar is not just representing herself and her family; she's carrying the hopes of countless Indian women athletes, proving that with perseverance, the global stage is within reach. Reflecting on her roots and her upcoming fight, Tomar remains grounded yet ambitious, driven by the early lessons in resilience and the simple advice from her mother to fight through life's challenges.

At just 21 years old, Huh Mimi has clinched the -57kg Judo World Champion title, demonstrating her prowess by defeating two top-ranked competitors. In the semifinals, Huh overcame former World Champion Jessica Klimkait of Canada, setting the stage for a dramatic final against another Canadian, double World Champion Christa Deguchi. This victory is particularly sweet for Huh, as she had previously lost to both Klimkait and Deguchi in significant matches. She faced Klimkait in the 2023 Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam semifinals and Deguchi in the 2022 Jerusalem World Masters. Now ranked No. 3 in the world, Huh's recent wins establish her as a formidable contender for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. However, challenges await. Huh has yet to overcome Japan’s Haruka Funakubo and Mongolia’s Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo, against whom she has a history of losses primarily due to penalties rather than being outmaneuvered. Interestingly, penalties have been a common factor in Huh's defeats, including her past matches against Klimkait and Funakubo. Yet, her recent strategic victory over Deguchi in a prolonged Golden Score bout at the 2024 Abu Dhabi World Championships indicates significant growth in her tactical approach. Looking forward, Huh is likely preparing intensely for any potential rematch with Lkhagvatogoo in Paris, aiming to avert a fourth defeat and solidify her standing as a top judoka on the world stage.

Already at the top of the grappling world, Kade Ruotolo will try to take that success to the MMA ranks on Friday, June 7, at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II . Ahead of his debut, the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion spoke to MMA great Demetrious Johnson on his podcast, “Mightycast”. “We’ve grown up watching MMA. Even though I knew I had to do what I had to do in jiu-jitsu first, it always excited me that one day I was gonna be there,” Ruotolo told Johnson. “I knew for sure. It was a bucket list thing. I had to fight MMA.” For his debut, Ruotolo will meet Blake Cooper. The Hawaiian has a solid all-around skill set and hopes to steal the thunder of the world-renowned grappling in Bangkok. The challenge of transitioning over has the lightweight star excited for what will come. “As of the last couple of years, that urge has been growing more and more,” the Southern Californian stated. “I honestly think I fought so many times for free with my brother. I wanna get paid now! I love fighting, I’m a fighter. I love jiu-jitsu, but I just don’t feel like it’s a fight. It’s a match, it’s not a fight.” “I’m so excited to show what I can do in MMA. In the most humble way possible, I genuinely believe that MMA hasn’t had my level of grappling and my level of jiu-jitsu ever.” One of the most exhilarating parts for Ruotolo is the pursuit of knowledge. Although there is always something new to learn in BJJ, he is at the top of the food chain. MMA offers a clean slate. Ruotolo is getting comfortable on his feet and slowly building his complete arsenal. “Every time I train MMA, I’m learning something new, and it’s refreshing being a student again,” Ruotolo commented. “I like to think the transition is going well. I think the main thing is I feel comfortable in my sparring rounds and live drills. I’m not very fearful, I have a lot of heart, I’m not scared of a lot of things. My coach and my family are happy with the progress.” As he prepared for ONE 167, Ruotolo noticed the differences between BJJ and MMA, specifically with his cardio. Different sports have different requirements. As he begins his MMA journey, Ruotolo is looking to show that hard work pays off with a dominant MMA debut over a tough opponent. It will be all-gas, no brakes at the Impact Arena. “The hardest thing was the cardio on my legs. It’s the last thing you expect. I can go all day in jiu-jitsu. The hopping is different. The calf muscles. It was something I didn’t have built up in jiu-jitsu. The cardio for the footwork was one of the biggest shockers,” Ruotolo said. “I felt cardio-wise I could go another 100 rounds, but my calves were just tired before everything else!” ONE 167  airs live and free on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Friday, June 7. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers based in the U.S. and Canada.

BRAVE Combat Federation Bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele is in search of his next challenger and may have found one in Muhammad Idrisov. Nkosi, who successfully defended his Bantamweight title against Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres in a historic trilogy fight at BRAVE CF 82 in Mauritius, recently posted a video on Instagram taunting potential challengers in the Bantamweight division.  In the video, Nkosi showcased his world title and called out fellow fighters Hamza Kooheji and Muhammad Idrisov.  "So, you all quiet now. Somebody say something. Who is next? Who is next?" Nkosi said.  Idrisov quickly responded, expressing his readiness to fight in October or November.  “Right now, I like you. Let’s do it October or November,” Idrisov wrote while resharing Nkosi’s video.  Muhammad Idrisov, who recently moved up from the Flyweight division, was scheduled to fight in the Bantamweight division at BRAVE CF 83 in the Netherlands. However, an opponent change forced him to fight at Catchweight against Zaka Fatullazade.  Despite the last-minute hiccup, Idrisov produced a dominant performance and submitted his opponent in the first round. This victory marked Idrisov's second consecutive win, improving his professional MMA record to 9 wins and 1 loss and placing him in a good position to challenge the Bantamweight champion.  Hamza Kooheji, on the other hand, has been away from action since 2022 due to an injury. He has been busy imparting his knowledge to the next generation during his recovery period. Although Nkosi had previously called out Featherweight champion Nemat Abdrashitov following his victory at BRAVE CF 82, he appears keen to remain active in the Bantamweight division until the opportunity to become a double champion arises. Irrespective of where the banter leads to, the exchange between Nkosi and Idrisov has fired up the BRAVE CF Bantamweight division giving the fans one more reason to be excited about what the future holds for the division.

Daito-ryu aikijujutsu is definitely not the world’s most popular martial art. It’s not even close. However, it is one of those mystical Asian parent arts that everyone seems to have heard of. How often have you witnessed a writer or instructor claiming, “Our art is a modern version of aikijujutsu,” or “This wrist-escape technique comes from aikijujutsu”? In actuality, relatively little is known about daito-ryu aikijujutsu — other than the fact that its high-level techniques have a reputation for speed and effectiveness. Yet from this system are said to have evolved aikido, hapkido and judo, according to some researchers. This alone makes daito-ryu worth investigating.  In this article, Seigo Okamoto, a daito-ryu aikijujutsu sensei from Japan’s Saitama prefecture, and two of his top American students provide some answers to the most frequently asked questions about this esoteric art and offer a glimpse into what makes it work so well for self-defense. Background “Aikijujutsu is just the name for a style that combines jujitsu and aiki,” says Brently Keen, one of the few Americans qualified to teach daito-ryu. “Within daito- ryu, there are many different kinds of techniques: jujitsu, atemi waza (striking techniques), weapons, aiki techniques and special techniques developed for use inside the castle. “Aikijujutsu is usually the combination of aiki and jujitsu techniques. This is what Sogaku Takeda popu- larized. The addition of aiki to jujitsu makes the jujitsu more effective and difficult to counter. Regular jujitsu works against a person who does not know jujitsu, but a skilled martial artist can counter it.  Okamoto has stopped teaching jujitsu and the basic techniques and weapons, Keen says. “All he teaches is the aiki and some of the aikijujutsu techniques. That’s why the Roppokai branch is different from all the other branches.”  Roppokai is the name of the branch of aikijujutsu Okamoto teaches, and it’s the name of his organiza- tion. “The Roppokai is dedicated to preserving the essence of daito-ryu — which is the aiki techniques — and developing it further,” Keen says. “The other schools are more interested in preserving the traditions, the kata and the forms of daito-ryu, and the specific jujitsu techniques that they remember Takeda doing or that their teacher learned.” Okamoto, who bears the title of soshi, or founder, of Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai, studied under Kodo Horikawa, a top student of Takeda. “Takeda specifically taught aiki techniques — more than jujitsu,” Keen says. “Horikawa sensei was very small — about 4 feet 11 [inch- es tall]. Takeda told him he would have to master aiki techniques in order to defeat a larger opponent. “The students of Takeda each learned different things from him. His students preserved the techniques they learned from their teacher. The differences of the people — body size, backgrounds — is why the styles’ techniques are different now. They didn’t have different philosophies or learn different things from Takeda. The students are the ones who formed the various branches of daito-ryu.” After Okamoto learned the aiki techniques from Horikawa, he set about developing them. He then formed his own group, the Roppokai. “The biggest group is aikijujutsu,” says Desmond Harpster, who teaches the art in Canby, Oregon. “Daito-ryu aikiju-jutsu is a small part of that. Roppokai is [Okamoto’s] organization of aikijujutsu.” Daito-ryu has influenced the development of aikido, judo, karate, jujitsu and hapkido, Keen says, but what most people do not realize is that the essence of daito-ryu — the technique known as aiki — is unique to the style. “This is not the common concept of aiki but an actual technique; it doesn’t exist in other martial arts,” Keen continues. “The concept of aiki — blending and harmonizing with the attacker’s energy or momentum — exists in other martial arts like kenjutsu, aikido and some Chinese arts. That’s in daito-ryu, but it’s also in other arts. The technique of aiki is different.” For the Public “Daito-ryu is a very old art,” Okamoto says. “Because it was secret, not too many people could learn it. In the old times, daito-ryu was only in the northern part of Japan. Before I went to Tokyo in 1977, it was only in Hokkaido. “When [Morihei] Ueshiba changed daito-ryu to aikido, it became much simpler to do and learn. Now aikido is much more popular in Japan.” “Daito-ryu is harder to learn because the techniques were designed for combat,” Keen says. But that doesn’t mean the effectiveness of daito-ryu is necessarily great- er than that of aikido. “The effectiveness depends on the individual,” Keen says. “Aikido was obviously affected by Ueshiba’s philosophy. He modified daito-ryu’s techniques to fit with his philosophy. Daito-ryu doesn’t contain that philosophy.” In the past, daito-ryu was not taught to the public — only to select people of high social standing: samurai, military officials, police officers and the like. “It was seldom even demonstrated publicly,” Keen says. “And when it was, only jujitsu techniques from the first level were shown.” So why does Okamoto teach the art openly now? “I don’t care about secrets,” he says. “I want to teach people who want to know.”  These days, people who want to know are spread across the globe. And the Roppokai is expanding to meet their demands: Two instructors live in Hawaii, Harpster is based in Oregon and Keen teaches in California. Technical Differences “Most daito-ryu instructors only teach the jujitsu aspect of the art, which includes joint-locking techniques and nerves manipulations,” Keen says. “Okamoto sensei is unique among the daito-ryu teachers because he specializes in the aiki aspect of the art, which is the highest level of techniques.” “The underlying theme is that you need to use the daitoryu ideas so you’re not powering through the techniques,” Harpster says. “You shouldn’t have to use your strength.”  Just how do aiki techniques differ from the joint locks and throws of other arts? “They are more internal, and they don’t require actual joint locking to affect the body,” Keen says. “It has more to do with the nervous system and the body’s reaction to the movements. There’s minimal use of motion.”  Some pressure-point usage is involved. “It involves more use of the nervous system rather than nerve points,” Keen says. “Okamoto sensei can affect your body just by touching you. A lot of sensitivity is in-volved. The training methods we use develop sensitivity and require sensitivity.” When a daito-ryu aikijujutsu expert moves, very little external movement is visible. But that lack of movement can be deceiving. “All the body’s energy is coming together,” Okamoto says. “Through movement the energy becomes big. It doesn’t work at a slow pace. It should be done quickly. It’s so hard to teach because those movements are so small. At just the right movement, I make the other person’s body belong to me,like it’s part of my body. That’s why it looks so easy and relaxed. The smaller movement makes it quicker and requires less energy.” One of the basic principles of daito-ryu involves breaking an opponent’s balance so he can’t stand or use his power to resist or fight back, Okamoto says. During the proper execution of a technique, the opponent cannot move freely because he’s off-balance and his muscles are tensed. Unfortunately, the ability to use the often- mentioned essence of aiki is nearly impossible to acquire from an article or book. As Okamoto says, it must be learned one-on-one from a qualified instructor. Until you gain access to such a person, the material presented here will have to serve as a short introduction to the mysterious art of daito- ryu aikijujutsu. S.D. Seong is a freelance writer and martial artist based in the Los Angeles area. Special thanks to Tomoko Harpster for translating. This article originally appeared in a 2020 edition of Black Belt Magazine.

The lineup of neutral judo athletes, primarily Russian, has been finalized for the upcoming Paris Olympics, with notable exclusions of any competitors from Belarus. Russia, which faced a boycott and was absent from the IJF World Judo Tour, has made a significant comeback in the qualification process that started in July 2022. Team manager Ezio Gamba has selected Danil Lavrentev for the up to 73kg category, favoring him over Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov due to Lavrentev's impressive performances in 2024. Murad Chopanov will compete in the up to 66kg category after his Grand Slam victory in Kazakhstan this year. In the up to 60kg category, former world champion Yago Abuladze was surpassed by Chopanov. Inal Tasoev, the 2023 world champion, was chosen over Olympic bronze medalist Tamerlan Bashaev, reflecting his recent superior performance. Timur Arbuzov, who claimed a silver medal at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, will compete in the up to 81kg category. The up to 100kg spot went to Matvey Kanikovskiy, preferred over 2023 world champion Arman Adamian, who has been struggling to regain his top form. For the lighter weights, Ramazan Abdulaev was an expected pick, with Ayub Bliev remaining a strong alternate. Mikhail Igolnikov secured his place in the up to 90kg category, known for peaking during the Olympics despite inconsistent form. On the women's side, Daria Kurbanmamadova in the up to 57kg and Madina Taimazova in the up to 70kg categories were relatively assured of their places with consistent performances. Sabina Giliazova was the clear choice for the up to 48kg category from the beginning. Elis Starteva stood out in the heavyweight division, consistently finishing in the top three, while Dali Liluashvili's recent silver medals at Grand Slams secured her a spot in the up to 63kg category. Reflecting on the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, the Russian team, competing then also as neutrals, secured three bronze medals. With a stronger team this year, particularly in the up to 100kg and heavyweight categories for men and continued strong prospects for Taimazova among the women, the team is well-positioned for potential success in Paris. However, they will not participate in the team event.

The judo competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games is set to capture the attention of fans worldwide. This Japanese martial art continues to grow in popularity, bolstered by the global platform the Olympics provide, attracting new enthusiasts and seasoned followers alike. This year, a fresh crop of judokas is poised to make their mark on the international stage in Paris. Who are the breakout judo stars at the 2024 Paris Olympics? The Paris Games offer a prime opportunity for emerging talents to shine. With numerous divisions in play, new stars are expected to emerge in both men's and women’s categories. In the men’s competition, keep an eye on Giorgi Sardalashvili from Georgia, a notable competitor in the lightweight division known for his dynamic performance. His compatriot, Tato Grigalashvili, and Belgium’s Matthias Casse, known for his strategic prowess, are also ones to watch. In the women’s division, Anna-Maria Wagner of Germany and Christa Deguchi of Canada represent the future of judo. Wagner combines power with technique, while Deguchi’s resilience and tactical approach make her a formidable opponent. Who are the standout judokas to watch? Teddy Riner, competing in the men’s heavyweight division, remains a significant draw. The 11-time World Champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist, despite being 35, is an outstanding athlete with robust local support. Temur Rakhimov of Tajikistan and Inal Tasoev of Russia, both relatively new to the scene, are expected to provide stiff competition, especially Tasoev, the defending champion, who may be Riner's most formidable rival. In the women's category, Clarisse Agbegnenou is a top contender for the 63kg division gold. The Tokyo 2020 gold medalist continues to excel in judo despite recent motherhood. Challengers like Miku Tashiro of Japan and recent world champion Joanne van Lieshout of the Netherlands are also in strong contention for the top spot. The 2024 Paris Olympics are set to be a defining moment for these judokas, potentially catapulting them into the limelight and affording them the recognition their talents deserve.

To honor the enduring legacy of Black Belt Magazine the Black Belt team is delighted to present the Black Belt Rankings . This esteemed list will now be featured across all platforms of Black Belt Magazine , the foremost authority in martial arts globally. In this premier edition of ratings and athletic rankings, we shine a spotlight on MMA, Sport Karate, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing. These rankings are meticulously curated, drawing solely from verified league publications. We are proud to present the following leagues in our initial launch: UFC MMA UFC Rankings ONE Championship MMA/MuayThai/Kickboxing ONE FC Rankings ISKA  Sport Karate Forms/Weapons/Sparring ISKA Ratings

Following UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy, there have been significant updates to the rankings in three UFC divisions: featherweight, women's bantamweight, and strawweight. Here are the updated UFC Rankings. Men's Featherweight Lerone Murphy has entered the Top 15 featherweight rankings after defeating Edson Barboza in the main event last weekend. This victory led to Barboza dropping three spots to No. 15. Calvin Kattar has ascended to the No. 9 spot, now tied with Giga Chikadze, while Bryce Mitchell has fallen to No. 12. Women's Bantamweight The women's bantamweight rankings saw a minor change with Karol Rosa falling to No. 9 after her unanimous decision loss to Irene Aldana at UFC 296. Strawweight The strawweight division experienced notable movement. Angela Hill moved up three places to No. 9 following her first career submission victory. Luana Pinheiro, who lost to Hill, has dropped to No. 13. Additionally, Iasmin Lucindo and Michelle Waterson-Gomez swapped ranks, with Lucindo rising to No. 13 and Waterson-Gomez now at No. 14. Gillian Robertson has newly entered the rankings at No. 15.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the matchups for PFL MENA 2, taking place at The Green Halls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 12th, 2024. The second fight card of PFL MENA’s debut season features fighters in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions competing in the patented PFL Playoff win and advance format. In the Welterweight main event, PFL veteran and multiple-time champion Jarrah “The Jordanian Lion” Al-Silawi (19-6-0) of Jordan meets Iraq’s Bashar Thaer (7-2-0). PFL MENA 2 will air live in primetime on MBC Action; the free to air broadcasts will be accessible to fans across the region. In addition to PFL MENA, MBC Action will air the PFL Global Season, PFL Europe, the Bellator Champions Series and PFL’s Pay-Per-View Superfight Division events. In the Lightweight Division, Josh Togo (13-5-0) of Lebanon takes on Iran’s Mohsen Mohammadseifi (4-2-0), and Saudi Arabia’s own Hattan Alsaif, fresh from her spectacular mixed martial arts (MMA) debut earlier this month, makes her return to the PFL SmartCage in a Women's Atomweight amateur showcase bout. Pete Murray, CEO of PFL, said: "The Professional Fighters League is excited to return to Riyadh for PFL MENA 2. The PFL along with our great partners, SURJ Sports, could not be happier to see a shared vision become a reality. PFL MENA has put a global spotlight on great fighters across the region and provided passionate MMA fans with a premium live experience.” See the complete PFL MENA 2 fight card below: Welterweight Bout:  Jarrah Al-Silawi (19-6-0) vs. Bashar Thaer (7-2-0) Welterweight Bout: Badreddine Diani (7-3-0) vs. Amir Fazli (6-1-0) Welterweight Bout: Mohammad Alaqraa (5-0-0) vs. Youcef Ouabbas (3-0-0) Middleweight Showcase Bout: Mostafa Rashed Neda (8-3-0) vs. TBD  Lightweight Bout: Josh Togo (13-5-0) vs. Mohsen Mohammadseifi (4-2-0) Lightweight Bout: Ahmed Amir (12-4-1) vs. Souhil Tahiri (6-4-1) Welterweight Bout: Omar El Dafrawy (10-6-0) vs. Anthony Zeidan (5-1-0) Women’s Atomweight Amateur Showcase Bout: Hattan Alsaif (1-0) vs. Eman Baraka (1-0) Lightweight Bout: Abdullah Saleem (5-0-0) vs. Omar Reguigui (4-0-0) Lightweight Bout: Abbas Khan (6-2-0) vs. Georges Eid (8-4-0) Flyweight Showcase Bout: Hadi Al Hussaini (5-0-1) vs. Ziad Ayman Kareem (3-1-0)