Dana White has confirmed his plans for Abu Dhabi to host Conor McGregor’s comeback against Dustin Poirier in January - although the UFC president said it won't be a title fight since he expects lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov to compete again.
Although yet to be officially announced, the 155lb bout is scheduled to headline UFC 257 on January 23 (January 24 in the UAE). Last week, White said Poirier had already signed off on the clash, a rematch of their 2014 encounter, and that he was waiting on McGregor to follow suit.
The former two-division champion has not fought since January, and in June announced his retirement from the sport. McGregor, 32, said he had grown frustrated with the options made available to him by the UFC.
Abu Dhabi has now emerged as the frontrunner to stage the Irishman's return to the octagon, with the new Etihad Arena expected to host the UFC's next stop in the capital, whenever that may be. The promotion's two recent Fight Island series took place at Flash Forum on Yas Island, with the most recent concluding on October 25.
Asked by reporters immediately following Wednesday morning’s finale to his Contender Series if he was working on McGregor-Poirier for Abu Dhabi, White responded simply: “Yeah”.
Pressed if it would be a one-off event or part of a third Fight Island series, White smiled and said: “I’ll let you know when it’s ready to let you know.”
However, White did confirm that the bout would not be for the lightweight belt despite Nurmagomedov announcing his retirement last month.
"Khabib’s going to fight [again]," he added. "I believe he’s going to fight. It’s not for the title.”
An emotional Nurmagomedov shocked the sport by calling time on his celebrated career after his successful title defence against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, which brought down the curtain on a second Fight Island run. Competing for the first time since his father's death in July, the victory lifted Nurmagomedov's professional record to 29-0.
At the weekend, the Dagestan native took to Instagram to show that he was recently tested by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) – the 47th time in his career – prompting speculation about a possible comeback. White spoke to Nurmagomedov, 32, not long after the Gaethje win and subsequently said he thought the unbeaten champion would fight once more to fulfill his father's wish of reaching 30-0.
Asked by The Mac Life on Wednesday about Nurmagomedov's recent test, White said: "I didn't know that happened. But I told you guys that I think he's going to go to 30. He's still testing. Why the hell would you want to test if you're not going to fight?
“He hasn’t committed, but I feel like he’s going to. And I’m not really pushing him. We talked about it, and he just fought. Let him take some time, spend some time with his family, spend the holidays. There’s no rush.”
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Inside%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKelsey%20Mann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Amy%20Poehler%2C%20Maya%20Hawke%2C%20Ayo%20Edebiri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
