The UAE Warriors is set to stage back-to-back fight cards for the first time in its history this week.
Friday sees UAE Warriors 17: Arabia 2 kick-off in the octagon followed by the international version – UAE Warriors 18 – 24 hours later, both at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
Headlining the international card is the bantamweight title showdown between Xavier Alaoui, the Moroccan residing in Canada, and Vinicius de Oliveira of Brazil.
Both fighters have each won two bouts at the Warriors: Alaoui secured two unanimous decisions, while Vinicius won via one first-round knockout and a unanimous points verdict.
Fouad Darwish, managing director of Palms Sports, said the objective of staging back-to-back fight cards was to incorporate more competitors into the Warriors family.
“We are receiving fighting and fighter requests on a daily basis,” he said at the launch ceremony on Tuesday.
“We have the capability ... I can assure three to four fight nights without any problem.
“We should be able to bring this as a norm; if not back-to-back, it can be on a Friday and another two or three days later. We like the format and the reception we receive would certainly encourage us to do it.”
The international fight card consists of 13 contests that also include a women's flyweight contest between Corinne Laframboise of Canada and Sweden's Malin Hermansson.
Laframboise is returning for her third fight in the UAE Warriors. She made a winning start in the organisation’s 10th event in January 2020 against Cornelia Holm but lost to Manon Fiorot of France (TKO in the third round) in Warriors 12.
“My last fight was a war,” Laframboise, one of the first fighters to arrive for the UAE Warriors 18, said.
“I had a nice surgery to my nose. I had to take time out to recover and feel a lot better. I’m happy to be back in the cage with the current pandemic situation and the travel restrictions.
“I’m glad to be back in the octagon and show my new skills that I have been training on. I want to put on a good show as usual.”
The Arabia version is made up of 14 fights and include four Emiratis – Mohammed Yahya and Abdullah Mohammad Ali in the lightweight, and Mohammed Al Katheeri and Yousef Al Housani in the featherweight.
Al Housani, undefeated in two appearances, will face Jordanian Faris Asha while Al Katheeri is making his debut against Egyptian Mostafa Elhamy.
Ali, who has a 2-2 win/loss record, takes on Egyptian Medhat Hussein, and Yahya, the most experienced of the quartet with an 8-3 record, fights Jordanian Saleem Al Bakri, undefeated in two appearances.
Studying addiction
This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.
Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.
The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.
The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
UAE's final round of matches
- Sep 1, 2016 Beat Japan 2-1 (away)
- Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
- Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
- Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
- Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
- Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
- Mar 28, 2017 Lost to Australia 2-0 (away)
- June 13, 2017 Drew 1-1 with Thailand (away)
- Aug 29, 2017 v Saudi Arabia (home)
- Sep 5, 2017 v Iraq (away)
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
Mobile phone packages comparison
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Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
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