One day after the headline bout at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi was called off, negotiations are reportedly under way for one of the biggest fights of the year to take its place at the Fight Island opener.
It was confirmed on Saturday that Gilbert Burns had tested positive for Covid-19 before boarding a plane for the UAE, ruling the Brazilian out of his welterweight title clash against champion Kamaru Usman on July 12.
However, multiple reports in the United States claim the UFC are attempting to book Jorge Masvidal to step into the breach and face Usman instead, with ESPN initially reporting discussions had taken place.
Footage emerged early Sunday of Masvidal taking and passing a coronavirus antibody test, while ESPN reported his management saying the American was “absolutely willing” to go up against Usman. Usman has since posted a tweet teasing a possible tussle.
Still, given the stringent Covid-19 protocols in place for Fight Island, there remain a number of significant hurdles to overcome. All competitors must pass three Covid-19 tests from arrival in Abu Dhabi up until they fight, with a period of quarantine mandatory at the W - Abu Dhabi hotel.
The UFC’s first charter flight from Las Vegas touched down in Abu Dhabi early Sunday, although Usman was not on it. He decided not to travel upon hearing the news that Burns had tested positive.
One of the most popular fighters in the sport, Masvidal was the frontrunner at first to take on Usman, with the pair involved in a heated public feud for some time, only for the former’s pay dispute with the UFC to put an end to negotiations.
Masvidal, who last fought against Nate Diaz in November, has been particularly public in his criticism of the promotion, and president Dana White, during the past few months. That prompted White to book Burns against Usman; Burns had won twice since March to propel himself into the No 1-ranked challenger.
Should a deal with Masvidal be struck, and the strict coronavirus measures permit the bout to go ahead, it would represent a major rescue act for the UFC. Masvidal is viewed by many as the greatest threat to Usman’s reign.
If the bout does not come to fruition, UFC 251 will still feature two stellar title fights, headlined by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski’s rematch against former belt-holder Max Holloway. Also on the card, Petr Yan and Jose Aldo battle for the vacant bantamweight crown.
UFC 251 kicks of the inaugural Fight Island, and is followed by events on July 16, 19 and 26. All four shows take place at Flash Forum on Yas Island.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
How to help or find other cats to adopt
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
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2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
Dr Graham's three goals
Short term
Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines
Intermediate term
Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations
Long term
A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness
FIXTURES
UAE’s remaining fixtures in World Cup qualification R2
Oct 8: Malaysia (h)
Oct 13: Indonesia (a)
Nov 12: Thailand (h)
Nov 17: Vietnam (h)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
