Hip-Hop Powerhouse Lloyd Banks to Perform at 971 Fighting Championship 2
In a bold blend of elite combat sports and high-octane entertainment, 971 Fighting Championship has announced that platinum-selling rapper and G-Unit legend Lloyd Banks will perform live at 971FC 2 on Saturday, 14 June at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai.
The event marks a new benchmark for sports-entertainment experiences in the region — combining a stacked night of professional MMA bouts with an exclusive performance from one of hip-hop’s most respected voices.
THE RAP GENERAL RETURNS TO THE STAGE
Lloyd Banks, born Christopher Lloyd, is no stranger to global stages — but this appearance in Dubai will be his first major performance in the Middle East. Emerging from Jamaica, Queens, Banks carved his legacy in the early 2000s as a founding member of G-Unit alongside 50 Cent and Tony Yayo. With his lyrical precision and unapologetic New York grit, he helped redefine mainstream rap’s connection to the streets.
His 2004 debut The Hunger for More debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, powered by hits like “On Fire” and “I’m So Fly.” After follow-ups like Rotten Apple and multiple standout appearances on mixtapes and compilation albums, Banks went independent and reasserted his dominance in the 2020s with his acclaimed trilogy:
• The Course of the Inevitable (2021)
• The Course of the Inevitable 2 (2022)
• The Course of the Inevitable III: Pieces of My Pain (2023)
Each project solidified his reputation as a true MC’s MC — one who never chased trends, but set his own pace.
Now, he brings that same raw energy, lyrical intensity, and crowd command to the 971FC stage.
“Lloyd Banks is more than an artist — he’s a cultural icon whose music is rooted in survival, grit, and triumph,” said Mounir Lazzez, founder of 971 Fighting Championship.
“It’s the perfect match for what we’re building at 971FC. This is more than a fight night — it’s a celebration of realness, talent, and the will to win.”
Headlining 971FC 2 is a bantamweight showdown with international stakes. Muhammad “The Punisher” Mokaev (14-0-1) — undefeated across his amateur and pro career — faces his toughest test yet in Alisher Gabdullin (15-4), a dangerous Kazakh finisher with slick striking and finishing power.
Mokaev, a Dagestan-born, UK-raised wrestling prodigy, is known for his suffocating pace and razor-sharp submissions. Now, with the world watching, he steps back into the cage looking to defend his perfect record and move one step closer to global dominance.
Gabdullin, meanwhile, represents a new generation of Central Asian talent — explosive, disciplined, and determined to derail Mokaev’s rise.
ABOUT 971 FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP
Founded in Dubai by former UFC star Mounir Lazzez, 971 Fighting Championship has quickly emerged as the Middle East’s premier MMA platform. More than a fight promotion, 971FC is a movement — built on the values of respect, courage, humility, and integrity, and designed to create heroes both in and out of the cage.
Every 971FC event blends world-class MMA with immersive production, cultural storytelling, and a stage that welcomes global entertainment icons. From rising stars to world champions — from the gym to the stage — 971FC represents the future of sports-entertainment in the region.
