The UFC has confirmed its return to Abu Dhabi next month, for a third Fight Island series. Featuring three events across eight days from January 16-23, each show’s headline bout has been announced. They’re all blockbusters, concluding with Conor McGregor’s eagerly anticipated comeback.
Max Holloway v Calvin Kattar, Fight Night 1 (Jan 16)
The former featherweight champion, one of the most popular athletes in mixed martial arts, plots his path back to another title shot. Holloway (21-6) was defeated on points against champion Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi in July, the second encounter between the pair going the way of the first.
Again, it was viewed as a controversial result. Holloway, a record-breaker at featherweight, ranks eighth on the UFC's pound-for-pound list. In Kattar, he faces a fighter very much on the rise: the American recorded two notable victories in 2020, including his own appearance on Fight Island in the summer, when he saw off the dangerous Dan Ige by unanimous decision. Ranked 6th in the division, this represents a golden chance for Kattar (22-4) to leapfrog Holloway in title contention.
Leon Edwards v Khamzat Chimaev, Fight Night 2 (Jan 20)
Originally booked for earlier this month, Edwards had to withdraw from the bout after contracting Covid 19. The Englishman, the welterweight division’s No 3-ranked challenger, is one of the most talented athletes in the division, but hasn’t fought since July last year. Boasting an 18-3 record, he rides an incredibly impressive eight-fight win streak.
As for his opponent? Chimaev is the breakout star of 2020, blitzing through his first three fights in the UFC. He won comfortably twice in 10 days on the inaugural Fight Island in July – a promotion record – then needed only 17 seconds to triumph on US debut in September.
His profile has grown exponentially, with Chimaev (9-0) now must-see TV. Now ranked 15th at welterweight, this is arguably the Chechen’s first real test – and what a challenge it presents.
Dustin Poirier v Conor McGregor, UFC 257 (Jan 23)
What a way to end the UFC’s latest residency. A rematch of their 2014 encounter, when McGregor cruised to a first-round TKO, this constitutes an altogether different challenge. And not just that it plays out at lightweight, instead of featherweight.
Poirier has grown to become one the division's most dangerous athletes, a former interim champion who last time out in June contested a Fight of the Year contender against Dan Hooker, where he won on points. The No 2-ranked challenger (26-6) has Abu Dhabi experience, too, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in September last year.
McGregor, ranked at No 4, remains an enthralling fighter, inside and outside the octagon. The former two-division champion (22-4) last fought in January, marking 14 months away from the sport by crushing Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds. Returning from another short-lived "retirement", still arguably the UFC's biggest draw.
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
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
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Read more about the coronavirus
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
The five pillars of Islam
South Africa's T20 squad
Duminy (c), Behardien, Dala, De Villiers, Hendricks, Jonker, Klaasen (wkt), Miller, Morris, Paterson, Phangiso, Phehlukwayo, Shamsi, Smuts.
The biog
Name: Gul Raziq
From: Charsadda, Pakistan
Family: Wife and six children
Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8
Golf Handicap: 6
Childhood sport: cricket
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
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Dubai World Cup Carnival Card:
6.30pm: Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.40pm: Zabeel Turf Listed $175,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Cape Verdi Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,600m
THE CARD
2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m
More on animal trafficking
More on animal trafficking
GYAN’S ASIAN OUTPUT
2011-2015: Al Ain – 123 apps, 128 goals
2015-2017: Shanghai SIPG – 20 apps, 7 goals
2016-2017: Al Ahli (loan) – 25 apps, 11 goals
