Alex da Silva celebrates his win in the UAE Warriors 44 at the Etihad Arena. Photo: UAE Warriors
Alex da Silva celebrates his win in the UAE Warriors 44 at the Etihad Arena. Photo: UAE Warriors
Alex da Silva celebrates his win in the UAE Warriors 44 at the Etihad Arena. Photo: UAE Warriors
Alex da Silva celebrates his win in the UAE Warriors 44 at the Etihad Arena. Photo: UAE Warriors

Former UFC star Alex da Silva expects 'fireworks' in clash with UAE Warriors champion Amru Magomedov


Amith Passela
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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
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions

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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 burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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.

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
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • 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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On sale: now  

 
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Population: 44.13 million

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Updated: February 21, 2025, 11:01 AM`