The event will feature Dubai’s young businessman and influencer Rashed Saif Belhasa aka Money Kicks and YouTube sensation Anas Elshayib.
Abu Dhabi-based IP Studios has been contracted to undertake broadcast production and management services as well as offer its expertise in combat sports production for the UAE’s first-ever influencer combat event called ‘Social Knockout’ that is due to take place on July 30 at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai. IP Studios was awarded the contract by the UAE’s MMA pioneer Tam Khan, who is also the founder of TK Fight Nights, TK MMA and Fitness Dubai.
Social Knockout is the first-ever combat event that accepts its payment only in cryptocurrency. The event will feature Dubai’s young businessman and influencer Rashed Saif Belhasa aka Money Kicks, who has millions of followers on social media, alongside international YouTube star Anas Elshayib who boasts 2.7m subscribers on the platform.
“This is the first event of its kind involving social influencers and celebrities who have millions of followers that are waiting to watch this event besides being the first time the social stars will combat inside the ring,” Mohamad Yehya, CEO and founder of IP Studios told BroadcastPro ME. “Emirati Influencer Rashed Saif Belhasa and YouTube star Anas Elshayib will be making their Middle East boxing debut at the event.”
Social Knockout will be sponsored by the KokoSwap cryptocurrency platform. The event may be watched in person or through online streaming, where fans and attendees will pay by $KOKO as transactions for all purchases related to the event, including photographs, which will be auctioned off as non-fungible tokens (NFT).
There will be at least 10 exhibition fights featured on the night. The event has already attracted the attention of a number of celebrities, with rappers Fat Joe and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Indian music sensation Guru Randhawa confirming that they will be performing at the event.
“More than 30 crew members between camera operators, sound engineers, directors, technicians and others will be running the coverage of the event. IP Studios has deployed an OB van that is fully loaded with various kit including EVS video mixers, HD cameras, remote cameras and 2-XT4 EVS systems. We have cameras distributed all around the arena to cover the action inside the ring, the walkouts, as well as wide shots. The production team is also using a steady cam and a Jimmy Jib arm, which plays a critical role in fight coverage. The Coca Cola Arena will be hosting a concert a day prior to the event, which means we will have to do installations, preparations and rehearsals on the day of the event,” added Yehya.
