971 FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP
Mounir Lazzez, stepping boldly into the arena of mixed martial arts promotion, has launched the 971 Fighting Championship, an endeavor that marks a significant chapter in his illustrious career.
Kicking off on May 4, the inaugural 971 FC event is poised to captivate fans with a card featuring 14 professional fights, spotlighting both seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. However, Lazzez’s vision for 971 Fighting Championship transcends the physical confrontations of the sport. He aspires to champion the foundational principles of martial arts — respect, courage, integrity, and humility — and to cultivate champions who embody these values both in and out of the cage.
Based out of Dubai, 971 FC aims to position itself as a leading player in the MMA scene in the Middle East by delivering events characterized by high production values and engaging narratives. This ambition is powered by a strategic collaborations with the Braga Group and Group 971, highlighting a collective commitment to propel MMA’s growth, nurture local talent, foster gender equality, and generate unprecedented opportunities both within Dubai and internationally.
Simon Husin, CEO of Braga Group, shared his vision for the promotion, stating:
“We envision a dynamic mixed martial arts landscape in the Middle East, where competition and entertainment seamlessly meet. Our goal is to organize unparalleled battles, narratives, and events.” This ambition aligns with Lazzez’s commitment to provide a platform that not only showcases the athleticism of fighters but also narrates their journeys, struggles, and triumphs.
Reflecting on his transition from fighter to promoter, Lazzez acknowledges the hardships faced by athletes in the sport.
“Having directly faced the harshness of the fighting world, I understand the unmet needs within the industry,” he remarked. Further emphasizing his dedication to athlete welfare, he added,
“I am committed to prioritizing the well-being of the fighters, acting as a reliable ally throughout their journey, from training and weight management to recovery.”
The schedule for 971 Fighting Championship events will be as follows:
*971 FC 1 – May 4, 2024
Fight card: 14 professional fights
*971 FC 2 – August 3, 2024
Fight card: 12 professional fights
*971 FC 3 – October 2024
Venue: Coca-Cola Arena
Fight card: 14 professional fights
*971 FC 4 – December 28, 2024
Venue: Burj Al Arab (outdoors)
Fight card: 12 professional fights
View this post on Instagram
About Mounir Lazzez
The Tunisian mixed martial artist, along his journey in the sport, moved to Dubai years back. Mounir Lazzez initially carved out quite a name for himself as a competitor. Lazzez plied his trade for promotions like Dubai FC, Desert Force, Brave CF, and UAE Warriors. This transpired before he embarked on a four-fight stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Notable wins in Lazzez’s career include Sasha Palatnikov, Abdul Razak Alhassan, and Ange Loosa to name a few. The 36-year-old put together a cumulative professional MMA record of 11-3. Mounir Lazzez has not fought since UFC 283 in January of last year.
Lazzez also had a notable stint as a head coach for Team Nogueira before opening up his own facility, the aforementioned 971 MMA and Fitness Academy. After putting in work as a fighter, coach, and gym owner, Lazzez now encroaches into the space of being a fight promoter in the world of mixed martial arts.
‘The Sniper’ now has this endeavour in his proverbial crosshairs and more specifics regarding the inaugural card will be released in due time per the linked IG post above.
