The UFC hopes to be in business with Abu Dhabi “for ever” as it continues to thrive off the back of Fight Island, according to senior executive vice president and chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein.
The world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion, who signed a five-year deal with the emirate last year, is currently in the capital for its second residency in less than three months. “Return to UFC Fight Island” has staged two of its five events, with the most recent taking place at Flash Forum on Sunday.
Following on from July's hugely successful inaugural series, the promotion's second run began on September 27 with UFC 253 and concludes on October 24 with UFC 254. It marks the first time in UFC history that consecutive numbered events are staged in the same city outside Las Vegas.
The brainchild of UFC president Dana White, Fight Island was created to allow the promotion’s international athletes to compete during the coronavirus pandemic. Abu Dhabi first hosted the UFC in 2010.
"We've been partnered with Abu Dhabi at various levels for over a decade now, so this relationship is deep and it's long-standing," Epstein told The National. "And it just continues to get deeper. The partnership we've got here in Abu Dhabi is really second to none as far as relationships we have around the world.
“What we’ve been able to do just this year in an incredibly challenging Covid environment to put on these two Fight Island series of events has been incredible. And we just couldn’t have done it without the cooperation and the partnerships we have here in Abu Dhabi.
“As far as I’m concerned – and I know Dana feels the same way – we want to be in business with Abu Dhabi for ever. They’re incredible partners and they do everything you could ever ask of a partner. And I feel really proud that we’ve delivered for them."
Despite the pandemic, the UFC has continued to host major events, be it in Jacksonville, Florida, at their base in Las Vegas, or in Abu Dhabi. White has stated that his business has gone from strength-to-strength, confirming during the first Fight Island that merchandise sales had already outstripped the intake for the whole of 2019.
UFC 251, which opened the July run, was reported to have generated around 1.3 million pay-per-view (PPV) buys, making it the company's most successful card since Conor McGregor took on Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018. Meanwhile, last week's UFC 253 is said to have registered more than 700,000 PPV buys – the third highest of the year.
The pre-event face-off, featuring middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Paulo Costa, broke numerous UFC records, including its most-shared video on Instagram. By the event's conclusion, it had more than 26 million views across the UFC's social media accounts.
“One of the things that’s really exciting is we’ve built a real brand in Fight Island," Epstein said. "This is not just events we’re doing here in Abu Dhabi; we’ve built a permanent part of the UFC landscape in the Fight Island brand and that’s something that’s going to continue on for many, many years to come.
“It's been a huge part of the success that we’ve had the last several months. Dana, as we know, is a marketing genius – he figures out ways to get people excited and interested with a little bit of mystery and, of course, he does it with incredible promotion. And Fight Island is really going to rank up there at the top, if not at the top, of the ideas that he’s come up with over the years.
"He built the mystery of it, this interest, this excitement. And then delivering with this first-class infrastructure that we’ve got here on Yas Island. Supported, of course, by just some incredible fights, it culminated in a huge success for the UFC. Not just for our hardcore fans that love the sport, but for new fans that were coming in to sample UFC."
While UFC events continue to be staged without fans in attendance, Epstein said discussions have taken place regarding allowing spectators at UFC 254, which is headlined by Nurmagomedov's long-awaited return. The undefeated lightweight champion, who has not fought since his appearance in September last year at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, takes on interim belt-holder Justin Gaethje at the top of another stellar card.
“This will be something that will be up to the local authorities here in Abu Dhabi,” Epstein said. “The local health authorities and a variety of others will have to ultimately make that decision. At the end of the day, we're really excited for the world to return back to normal.
“Having fans in the arenas for UFC events make the events in many ways. We’ll see what happens. We’re certainly willing to work with our partners here in Abu Dhabi and figure out what works for them.
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Dana White exclusive interview
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"Obviously the best-case scenario is to get back to full stadiums and the crowds that we were so used to. But we’ve got a new reality with Covid; we’ve got to deal with it and figure out ways to continue to move on.”
Epstein said a number of alterations were made between Fight Island series, including tightening the bubble on Yas Island – a 6 square-kilometre “safe zone” houses the entire operation – and increased testing for those travelling into Abu Dhabi. It is estimated that more than 18,000 Covid-19 tests were carried out at Fight Island 1, with the second residency expected to exceed 20,000.
Epstein said the greatest challenge remains the “incredible logistical puzzle” of bringing people in from around the world, adding significantly to an already substantial financial undertaking.
“I won’t get into specifics, but I can tell you that we’re making a huge financial commitment, as are our partners here in Abu Dhabi to put on these events,” he said. “As you can imagine, it’s not cheap to move people around the world on chartered airplanes and stay in first-class hotels and put on events. It’s definitely an expensive undertaking, but for us it’s absolutely worth it."
While not ruling out a third Fight Island run in Abu Dhabi before the end of the year, Epstein said for now the plan is for the UFC to see out the remainder of 2020 at its home in Las Vegas.
As to the UFC setting up a permanent base in the capital, given its frequent visits to the emirate, he said: “We’re open to any and all ideas potentially to continue to deepen this relationship with Abu Dhabi, whether that’s having some sort of permanent establishment or other types of arrangement.
“Listen, we’ve got a five-year deal, we’re only in Year 2 of that. I hope our relationship continues on for many, many decades to come. At the end of the day, we love this partnership, we love this relationship and we want it to continue in a lot of different forms.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 95-108) US$125,000 2000m (Dirt).
Winner: Don’t Give Up, Gerald Mosse (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (95 ) $160,000 2810m (Turf).
Winner: Los Barbados, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.40pm: Handicap (80-89) $60,000 1600m (D).
Winner: Claim The Roses, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Div-1) Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D)
Winner: Gold Town, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Cape Verdi Group 2 $200,000 1600m (T).
Winner: Promising Run, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.25pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D).
Winner: El Chapo, Luke Morris, Fawzi Nass.
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
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
More on Coronavirus in France
'Of Love & War'
Lynsey Addario, Penguin Press
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Match info:
Real Betis v Sevilla, 10.45pm (UAE)
Fatherland
Kele Okereke
(BMG)
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
'Project Power'
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback
Director: Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman
Rating: 3.5/5
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
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%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Moe%20Alatawi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Ra%E2%80%99ed%20Alshammari%2C%20Adwa%20Fahd%2C%20Muhand%20Alsaleh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
- 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
- 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
- 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
- 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16
Squads:
- UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
- Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
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