As more Emirati fighters take up mixed martial arts, the sport is gaining popularity in the UAE

With a global fan base of over 450 million, it is the world's third most popular sport after soccer and basketball.

At a gym in Al Quoz, the cage is set up for a practice battle. Abdulla Al Shamsi is getting ready to compete. He appears to be in control of his emotions and calm, but only for a short time. When he enters the mixed martial arts (MMA) battle cage, his demeanour and mood shift. His competitors and viewers are taken a....