Justin Gaethje captured the UFC interim lightweight title at UFC 249, then waved away the belt and called for a fight with undisputed champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Gaethje stepped in on just one month's notice to replace Nurmagomedov against former interim champion Tony Ferguson at the twice-rearranged event, which took place behind closed doors at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
The event carried additional significance, with it being the first major sporting event in the United States since the country launched quarantine and social distancing measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the lack of fans in the stands certainly didn't affect action inside the octagon, as the fighters put on a thrilling night that will live long in the memory.
The biggest winner of the night was undoubtedly Gaethje, whose reputation as a wild brawler with a "live by the sword, die by the sword" approach to his fights aptly matched his fighting moniker, "The Highlight".
But despite facing a fellow crowd pleaser in Ferguson, Gaethje didn't come out all guns blazing as seen in the past. Instead, he methodically, carefully yet still spectacularly, broke down Ferguson with a seemingly non-stop barrage of heavy punches mixed in with leg kicks, as he dominated much of the contest.
"I haven’t had time to soak it in. I can’t wait to watch the fight, I was so good tonight," Gaethje said in the post-event press conference. "I truly just believed in my skills and in my coaches and what a great time I just had.
"It was a great challenge and I’m very happy right now, I can’t wait to go home and see my family. I know how much happiness I just brought to people and that feels great.
"This is what I was born to do. You get one life and I’m living a crazy one and it’s so awesome. I can’t wait for that challenge, win or lose, I’m going to give it 100 per cent."
There was a brief scare in the final seconds of the second round, when he was dropped by a massive Ferguson uppercut as the buzzer sounded, but that slip-up aside, Gaethje delivered the finest performance of his career to capture his first UFC title.
Eventually, the sheer volume of strikes proved too much in the fifth round for a bloodied, battered Ferguson, who backed away shaking his head after a stiff Gaethje jab to the face. Referee Herb Dean immediately stepped in and waved off the contest, and Gaethje was declared the new interim champion.
But rather than celebrate with the belt, Gaethje waved away his new possession, telling UFC commentator Joe Rogan he was waiting for "the real thing". He then went on to state his intention to challenge Nurmagomedov for the undisputed title later this year.
"Khabib is the best in the world," he said. "I've been working since I was four for challenges like this, and I'm happy to represent the United States of America against Dagestan, or Russia's best. He's 28-0, and there's no other challenge I want right now. I want to fight him."
'Triple C' retains title, announces retirement
In the night's co-main event, Henry Cejudo defended his UFC bantamweight title by claiming a second round stoppage win over two-time former champion Dominick Cruz, then announced his retirement from MMA.
Despite conceding a significant height and reach advantage to Cruz, Cejudo used a solid gameplan, utilising a host of leg kicks, to slow the constant movement of the former champion before finding a home for his hands as the round progressed.
Cruz, who was returning to action after three and a half years away from the cage, looked in remarkably good shape as he stayed mobile and connected with some solid shots on the counter.
An accidental clash of heads left Cejudo opened up, but the cut wasn't in a problematic spot and the champion was able to continue without fuss
When the action restarted, Cejudo connected perfectly with a huge knee that dropped Cruz to the seat of his pants. It was the moment the champion had waited for, and he swarmed the challenger and unloaded a barrage of strikes to force referee Keith Petersen to step in and wave off the contest with just two seconds left in the round.
"I'm a chameleon, I can adjust. We stuck to the gameplan, and that's all she wrote," Cejudo said. "I"m ruthless. I may be cringey, corny, but boy can I fight. I am the greatest combat sports athlete of all time."
Cejudo then announced his decision to retire from the sport.
"I'm retiring tonight," he told commentator Joe Rogan. "I'm 33 years old, I'm happy with my career. Uncle Dana, I want say thank you for everything, you're the man. Everybody here, thank you so much. 'Triple C's' out. You guys don't have to hear [from me] no more."
Ngannou sends a terrifying statement
There were also potential title implications in the last non-title fight of the night, as heavyweight wrecking machine Francis Ngannou obliterated the previously unbeaten knockout artist Jairzinho Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds of their de-facto title eliminator.
Rozenstruik had called for a fight with Ngannou, but was knocked cold by a huge left hand in Ngannou's first punching combination of the fight. It left no doubt over the identity of the man who is next in line to fight for the heavyweight title once champion Stipe Miocic and former two-weight champion Daniel Cormier settle their world title trilogy later this year.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
THREE
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Results:
5pm: Baynunah Conditions (UAE bred) Dh80,000 1,400m.
Winner: Al Tiryaq, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Abdullah Al Hammadi (trainer).
5.30pm: Al Zahra Handicap (rated 0-45) Dh 80,000 1,400m:
Winner: Fahadd, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
6pm: Al Ras Al Akhdar Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m.
Winner: Jaahiz, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Al Reem Island Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m.
Winner: AF Al Jahed, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
7pm: Al Khubairah Handicap (TB) 100,000 2,200m.
Winner: Empoli, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh80,000 2,200m.
Winner: Shivan OA, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
The five pillars of Islam
