Mohamed Touizi said he is confident he has the measure of Ricardo Hilario ahead of their bout for the K1 continental flyweight belt in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Touizi will represent the UAE as he takes on the Portuguese on a stacked K1 Pro Night at Space 42 Arena.
The sixth edition of the event consists of 30 bouts that has drawn fighters across 24 countries with the headline contest being the World Super middleweight title contest between Serbian Nikola Todorovic and Jordi Requejo Coronado of Spain.
Touizi, 25, is a Muaythai world champion and believes the skills he has honed lend themselves perfectly in his pursuit of kickboxing glory.
“It’s two different combat sports with some similarities. I train and compete in both and looking forward to winning the continental belt for the UAE,” Touizi told The National.
“I have been on the world stage in Muaythai and to be in the intercontinental title fight is a big step up for me in kick boxing. Obviously I’m fully prepared and focused for Saturday."
Touizi, who won gold at the IFMA U23 Muaythai Worlds in Abu Dhabi in 2022, met Hilario last year at the World Association of Kickboxing Organisation (Wako) championship in Portugal, although not in the ring as they were both eliminated in the early rounds of that competition.
“We have seen each other in action,” Touizi said. “I have a fair idea of Ricardo's style but a lot may have changed in one year. Like me, I guess he too must have progressed up the ladder to meet me in a title fight. But I’m quite confident in taking him on.”
The youngest in a family of six, Touizi was a very active child, prompting his parents to enroll him in a karate school to help him expend his energy. He turned professional three years ago and has continued his journey full time in combat sports.
“I stopped enjoying karate and moved to Muaythai and kickboxing when I was around 13. Here, I got hooked to the two martial art sports, which I love it to this day,” he said.
“I participated in the Wako events to reach the top 10 and now I’m in the top three going into the intercontinental belt [match]. So, I’m really happy of my decision to pursue fulltime in the sport that I love.”
Touizi also has a business management degree which he said would be useful in the years to come.
“Right now, I’m not thinking of doing any other job, except to remain a professional fighter. I’m not looking too far but enjoying what I’m doing right now and doing the best for the UAE in the sport.
“When you enjoy what I do and earn a decent income, that’s good enough for me. Combat sports has grown and is still growing with big money to earn like in boxing and MMA, but I’m happy in the martial art sports I do with some success.
“If I have to crossover to MMA, I need to learn a few more martial arts like jiu-jitsu and grappling. That will take another two years and I feel it’s too late for me,” he said when asked if a switch to mixed martial arts was on his radar.
“My lifestyle has changed since turning a pro fighter. I’m more disciplined in my work ethics, eating habits, mental and physical health and so on. The intercontinental belt can do a world of good for me to continue my journey and bring honour to the UAE.”
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,400m. Winner: Al Ajeeb W’Rsan, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Jaci Wickham (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m racing. Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Onward, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown Prep Rated Conditions (PA) Dh 125,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: AF Arrab, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 90,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Irish Freedom, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
