Category: Press Release

DUBAI, UAE (July 24, 2025) — The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced that Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum has joined the PFL’s global ownership group.

This strategic addition strengthens PFL’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Middle East and supporting the growth of mixed martial arts across the UAE and the region.

“I am delighted to join the PFL’s ownership group as I believe in PFL’s global vision to grow the sport of MMA, and I am excited by PFL’s momentum in staging world-class fight events in Dubai and the UAE region,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

Sheikh Mohammed is the founding Chairman of Alpha MBM Investments, a diversified investment company based in Dubai with strategic interests across real estate, technology, energy, and sports. Under his leadership, Alpha MBM has become a key player in driving economic innovation and global partnerships across sectors aligned with the UAE’s long-term vision.

The PFL has already made a significant impact in the region, having become the first global MMA organization to stage a major event in Dubai earlier this year. The event, held in partnership with Dubai Economy & Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council, featured what many called the most exciting title fight of the year: a clash between undefeated Russian star Usman Magomedov and rising Irish sensation Paul Hughes.

“PFL is excited to welcome Sheikh Mohammed and his expertise to our ownership group,” said Peter Murray, CEO of PFL International. “This marks another major milestone in our global expansion strategy and reinforces our long-term commitment to expanding our presence in the Middle East.

With the addition of Sheikh Mohammed to the PFL ownership group, the league is further poised to deliver premium MMA experiences in the UAE and across the broader MENA region, while also building pathways for regional fighters to compete on the global stage.

The PFL is continuously elevating the sport of MMA in the Middle East through the widely-successful PFL MENA franchise, which is currently in its second season. The regional tournament has successfully created stars from the MENA region including the likes of PFL MENA Champions Abdullah Al Qahtani and Omar El Dafrawy, and Middle Eastern women’s MMA pioneer Hattan Alsaif. The third event of the ongoing PFL MENA season is expected to take place in September. 

Source: https://pflmma.com/news/sheikh-mohammed-bin-maktoum-bin-juma-al-maktoum-joins-professional-fighters-league-ownership-group-strengthening-pfls-global-expansion-and-commitment-to-dubai-and-uae

In a significant move to bolster its nascent hydrocarbons industry, the Ugandan government has announced a partnership with UAE-based Alpha MBM Investments to develop a $4 billion oil refinery. 

This collaboration, as confirmed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, marks a crucial step in Uganda’s efforts to process its crude oil domestically.

The decision follows the termination of negotiations in July of the previous year with a consortium that included a unit of the U.S. firm Baker Hughes. The talks fell through due to the consortium’s inability to mobilise the necessary financing promptly, posing a setback to Uganda’s oil processing ambitions.

Uganda’s petroleum reserves, primarily located in the Albertine rift basin along the western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been a subject of international interest. Despite the discovery of these reserves over a decade ago, commercial production has been delayed due to various logistical, financial, and political challenges.

The planned refinery, with a capacity to process 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is a cornerstone of Uganda’s strategy to become a significant player in the global oil market. The government expects to start pumping crude commercially by 2025, a timeline that reflects both the potential and the challenges of the sector.

Several factors have contributed to the delay in exploiting Uganda’s petroleum reserves. Firstly, the landlocked location of Uganda poses logistical hurdles in transporting the oil to international markets. This challenge necessitates the construction of extensive infrastructure, including pipelines and refineries, which is time-consuming and capital intensive.

Secondly, the need for substantial investment in a sector that is new to the country has been a significant barrier. The initial negotiations with international firms like Baker Hughes illustrate the complexities of securing reliable and timely financial backing for such large-scale projects.

Furthermore, environmental and social concerns have also played a role. The Albertine rift is a region of high biodiversity, and there have been concerns about the impact of oil extraction on the environment and local communities. Balancing economic development with environmental preservation and social responsibility has been a delicate task for the Ugandan government.

The partnership with Alpha MBM Investments represents a renewed hope for Uganda’s oil industry. The UAE-based firm’s involvement brings not only the required capital but also expertise in developing oil infrastructure, which is crucial for the landlocked nation.

In conclusion, while Uganda’s journey to become an oil-producing nation has been fraught with challenges, the recent developments signal a positive shift. The government’s commitment to overcoming the hurdles, coupled with strategic international partnerships, positions Uganda to make significant strides in its hydrocarbon sector in the coming years. The successful development of the oil refinery will not only boost Uganda’s economy but also contribute to the energy needs of the region.

Source: Oil & Gas Middle East

In a significant move for advancing space technology and industry in the Middle East, Alpha MBM Investments, a private investment office of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al-Maktoum has made an investment of US$25 million in Aspace International Holdings Limited. 

This investment, made in March 2024 at a valuation of US$500 million, marks Alpha MBM Investments official entry as the founding shareholder and comprehensive strategic partner of Aspace International Holdings Limited.

The endeavor aims to propel the region’s space capabilities forward and foster innovation within the industry. Aspace International Holdings Limited has secured 3 million square meters of land in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, where it plans to develop the ambitious Abu Dhabi Space Eco Park and Satellite City. This project envisions an ecological hub housing 3,000 enterprises, poised to become the largest advanced manufacturing hub in the Middle East’s space industry.

Mr. Sun Fengquan, Chairman & CEO of Aspace International Holdings Limited, expressed delight at having Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al-Maktoum, on board, emphasizing the significance of his support in realizing their vision. The partnership is seen as a testament to their shared commitment to driving progress in space technology within the region.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al-Maktoum underscored the transformative nature of the project, aligning with the UAE’s forward-looking vision. 

By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure and fostering collaboration among international enterprises, the aim is to establish the region as a global leader in space exploration and satellite technology.

The involvement of the private investment office of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al-Maktoum, as the founding shareholder is a pivotal milestone in the development of the Abu Dhabi Space Eco Park. Already, more than 200 companies from various countries have expressed their intent to join the project. 

The UAE continues to extend its invitation to companies worldwide to participate in building the largest industrial cluster park in the Middle East. With its emphasis on innovation, inclusiveness, financial support, and a stable international platform, the Abu Dhabi Space Eco Park and Satellite City project aims to redefine the region’s role in the space industry.

Source: Gulf Today