Dubai: While much of the attention will be on the big four at Thursday’s Global Fighting Championship (GFC), India-born Jaideep ‘Heart’ Singh is hoping for a dream debut in the Dubai event.
Originally from Amritsar, Punjab, Singh’s family took him to Tokyo when he was just three after his father set up his business base in the Japanese capital. Growing up in the Far East, Singh developed a liking for karate and, by 13, was a champion in his age category.
After that, there was no looking back as Singh became a genuine contender for honours at the national level in Japan and decided on a future as a professional kickboxer and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter.
Singh, now aged 26, first earned major recognition when he won the K-1 World Grand Prix title in Seoul in 2009, after which he began touring the world with considerable success.
This week, he will take on Fatih ‘The Ottoman’ Ulusoy of Turkey in one of seven fights on the under-card. “This is my first time to Dubai and I’ve heard and now seen so many Indians who live here. I would ask them to come and watch me fight and I will give my best,” said Singh, who was won 40 and lost 16 of his 56 fights.
“I am hoping for a lot of Indian support and a win.”
The GFC, which is hosted by Golden Cage Promotions in association with the Dubai Sports Council, will include seven MMA fights — with the winners being assured of a place in the season-ending GFC Grand Prix — plus the main event.
The highlight of the evening will be the four-man knockout kickboxing competition between Stefan Leko, Badr Hari, Peter Graham and Arnold Oborotov. Leko will take on Hari while Graham will go up against Oborotov, with the winners going through to the final, where the champion will take away a grand prize of Dh1 million.
“This edition of the GFC will not be just another fight. There will be something for everyone. I can assure you this Thursday will be much bigger than the UFC night held in Abu Dhabi,” organiser Prince Amir Shafypour said.
