Former UFC lightweight Alex da Silva has promised “fireworks” when he meets the undefeated UAE Warriors champion Amru Magomedov at the ADNEC Centre in Al Ain on Saturday.
The Brazilian enters the cage as the more experienced fighter with a 24-5 (win/loss) record against Magomedov who is undefeated in eight fights, in the headline contest of the 14-fight card staged for the first time in the Oasis city.
“Technically, my opponent and I are big martial arts lovers. So, I'm sure we're going to put some fireworks on the night,” Da Silva said of his meeting with Magomedov at UAE Warriors 58.
“He has never been tested as hard as I'm going to do with him, so for sure, I'll bring some hard time to him and let's see what happens.”
Da Silva’s debut in the promotion ended in defeat to Russia's Makkasharip Zaynukov in a split decision in March 2023. The Brazilian has won twice since then to earn a title contest against Magomedov.
Magomedov, 25, has had only eight career fights but has gone undefeated and is also on the back of three successive victories including two defences of the UAE Warriors belt.
Many think an experienced fighter like Da Silva, who has 29 fights including four appearances in the UFC, would be the ultimate test.
“He is a strong and experienced opponent. I never underestimate him. I trained hard all month. I will show him on Saturday evening,” said Magomedov.
The Dagestani is widely regarded as a fighter following in the pathway of the UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. Magomedov is another Dagestani fighter to emerge from the Khabib school.
He is a teammate and training partner of the former undefeated UFC lightweight champion’s cousin Usman Nurmagomedov and trains under the same coach Javier Mendes.
When asked if he spars with Khabib back home in Dagestan, Magomedov said: “I wrestle with him at times, not spar. Many of us look at Khabib as our role model and his presence alongside is enough to motivate us.
“Also, we have some of the best wrestling schools in the world back home in Dagestan. This is why the Dagestani fighters are some of the best MMA fighters in the world circuit.”
However, Da Silva countered Magomedov’s claim by saying the rivalry between the Russian and Brazilian fighters was increasing in momentum, but insisted the South American nation has been dominating the MMA world for long time.
“We are the country with more belts, more champions, so I'm going to take the belt on Saturday and prove that Brazil is better in MMA,” he added.
Rany Sadeh (14-4) takes on the UAE Warriors debutant Hikaru Yoshino (13-5) in the co-main at bantamweight, while Brazilian Victor Nunes (10-5) faces Filipino Genil Francisco (14-10) in the flyweight division on the main card.
Also on the main card are some close battles, including between Uzbek Akbarjon Islomboev (9-1) and Daan Duijs (10-2) of the Netherlands, Russian Gadzhi Abdulkadirov (5-1) and Brazilian Michel Goes (4-0) at heavyweight and Annie Thatcher (3-1) of Australia against Brazilian Claudia Leite (8-3).
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
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Dust storm
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Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE SPECS
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Ukraine
Capital: Kiev
Population: 44.13 million
Armed conflict in Donbass
Russia-backed fighters control territory
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
