Jorge Masvidal set to defend 'BMF' belt against Nate Diaz, says UFC president


John McAuley
  • English
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Jorge Masvidal will most likely defend the “BMF” belt in a rematch against Nate Diaz slated for December or January, according to UFC president Dana White.

Speaking early on Wednesday immediately following his latest Contender Series event, White confirmed earlier reports that the fighters, two of the most popular athletes in the promotion, were likely to rekindle their rivalry.

Masvidal defeated Diaz last November to land the specifically created “BMF” crown, prevailing by TKO at the end of the third round. Now it seems the pair are going to run it back, in what would no doubt be a hugely popular event.

“[Masvidal] wants to defend it against Diaz,” White said in his post-show press conference. “They were the first two to fight for it. You know what I mean? They were the guys that fought for it. He wants to put it up versus Nate again.”

White had previously rejected calls to bring back the “BMF” belt, claiming it was a one-time offering. The initial clash took place at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in New York, when doctors deemed a cut on Diaz’s face to be too severe to continue. The American wasn’t allowed to come out for the fourth round – a call that proved extremely contentious - and has not fought since.

Masvidal (35-14 MMA), last competed in July at UFC 251, the headline bout at the inaugural Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Taking the fight on six days’ notice, he was comprehensively defeated on points by welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

Masvidal v Usman, Fight Island, Abu Dhabi

Although he has publicly sought a rematch with Usman, Masvidal appears set to next go up against Diaz (20-12 MMA) again.

Meanwhile, Usman is tipped to finally face Gilbert Burns this December, at an event expected to be entitled UFC 256. Burns was scheduled to contest his first title shot at UFC 251, but had to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi bout after testing positive for Covid-19 days before leaving for the UAE.

The Brazilian, the division’s No 1-ranked contender, has been promised a shot at the belt, although he tweeted on Wednesday that he didn’t know anything about the December date. Burns currently enjoys a six-fight win streak.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

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The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

If you go

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.

The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.

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%20new%20Turing%20Test
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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. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

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

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.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

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

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets