UFC light heavyweight's Glover Teixeira (R) and Jan Błachowicz square off at the ceremonial weigh-in before UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
UFC light heavyweight's Glover Teixeira (R) and Jan Błachowicz square off at the ceremonial weigh-in before UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
UFC light heavyweight's Glover Teixeira (R) and Jan Błachowicz square off at the ceremonial weigh-in before UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
UFC light heavyweight's Glover Teixeira (R) and Jan Błachowicz square off at the ceremonial weigh-in before UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

UFC stars face off for final time in Abu Dhabi before renewing rivalry at stacked UFC 267


John McAuley
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The stars of UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi faced off for the final time on Friday before meeting in the octagon on Saturday night, with light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz declaring at the Etihad Arena, “Tomorrow, you’re going to hear ‘and still’.”

The giant Pole defends his crown against No 1-ranked contender Glover Teixeira in the headline clash in the capital – one of two title bouts at the top of the card.

On Friday, in front of a vocal crowd at the ceremonial weigh-in, Blachowicz, 38, squared off with Brazilian Teixeira, before telling those in attendance: “Tomorrow, you're going to hear ‘and still’.

"But you're going to see a good fight, a really good fight.”

Teixeira, who like Blachowicz rides a five-fight win streak, celebrated his 42nd birthday on Thursday. Should he defeat his rival at Etihad Arena, the Brazilian will become the second oldest UFC champion in history.

Randy Coutoure captured the heavyweight title in 2007, aged 43.

“It’s an amazing birthday,” Teixeira said. “I’m going to get my gift tomorrow night, man. No doubt about it.”

UFC bantamweight Petr Yan at the ceremonial weigh-in before UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
UFC bantamweight Petr Yan at the ceremonial weigh-in before UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Meanwhile, previewing his interim bantamweight title bout against No 3-ranked contender Cory Sandhagen former champion Petr Yan, 28, from Russia, said: “As always, I will be uncompromising. I believe it’s going to be a very exciting fight.”

Late stand-in Sandhagen agreed last month to replace injured champion Aljamain Sterling, who withdrew due to injury.

American Sandhagen, 29, said of the five-rounder with Yan: “Twenty-five minutes of war. That’s what I’m ready for and that’s what I’m going to do.”

UFC welterweights Khamzat Chimaev (R) and Li Jingliang square off at the ceremonial weigh-in before UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
UFC welterweights Khamzat Chimaev (R) and Li Jingliang square off at the ceremonial weigh-in before UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

The most notable face-off on Friday played out between welterweight challengers Li Jingliang, 33, from China, and Russian-born Swede Khamzat Chimaev.

Chimaev, 27, is making his long-awaited return to UFC after 13 months, following a prolonged battle with Covid-19.

At the face-off, Chimaev had to kept apart from his opponent.

Earlier on Friday, at the official weigh-in, Chimaev had trouble making weight and required an extra 45 minutes to come in at 171lbs.

Saturday night’s event at Etihad Arena features 14 bouts and marks the first UFC fight night in Abu Dhabi since January.

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km

Price: from Dh547,600

On sale: now 

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

Scores in brief:

Boost Defenders 205-5 in 20 overs
(Colin Ingram 84 not out, Cameron Delport 36, William Somerville 2-28)
bt Auckland Aces 170 for 5 in 20 overs
(Rob O’Donnell 67 not out, Kyle Abbott 3-21).

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: October 31, 2021, 6:52 AM`