Having used his new Dubai base to shut off and then sharpen his skill set ahead of a potentially future-defining bout at UFC 264 next week, Conor McGregor has a warning for Dustin Poirier.
Chiefly, that he's more serious a threat than at any time in his storied mixed martial arts career.
“I’m solely, singularly focused on winning,” McGregor tells The National not long from the trilogy clash against the American on July 10 (July 11 in UAE). “That’s it. I don’t need any more motivation than that. All I want to do, in everything I do, is win. That’s what drives me.
“I am locked in on taking out my opponent on July 10, and I’ve never been more prepared, more dangerous than I am now.”
Call it typical fighter bravado, or McGregor’s “Notorious” MO, but the former two-division champion's confidence is buttressed by banking the hard yards ahead of his comeback. The Irishman, 32, spent the majority of the interim between Poirier 2 and Poirier 3 in Dubai, initially recovering from his second-round TKO at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi – the first knockout of his professional MMA career - before refocusing and then refining his game plan for the series decider in Las Vegas. McGregor won the initial encounter with Poirier, way back when at UFC 178 in 2014, by first-round TKO.
In preparation for the rivalry's finale, McGregor trained largely at the UFC Gym in Jumeirah Beach Residence before relocating earlier this month to California. The rubber match against Poirier had demanded a reset and a reinvigoration: with two defeats in his past three octagon appearances, the trilogy is viewed as crucial to McGregor's aspirations of reigning supreme once more in the sport he lifted to unprecedented levels.
For that, he insists lessons have been learned from UFC 257, when Poirier's success at Etihad Arena owed much to punishing calf kicks that impeded severely his movement. In the past, McGregor (22-5) has responded well to adversity: following his other two losses in the UFC - Nate Diaz in 2016 and Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018 - he countered next with significant victories.
Poirier, though, represents a clear and obvious threat to that record. For many, the former interim champion (27-6) constitutes the best active lightweight around, even after Charles Oliveira last month captured the belt vacated, finally, by Nurmagomedov.
The winner of McGregor-Poirier is expected to face the Brazilian for the title. The former is adamant that's going to be him.
“I say all the time that you learn more from your setbacks than from your successes,” McGregor says. “I’ve had setbacks before in my career; this isn’t the first time. Why I’ve been so successful in business and in my MMA career is because I bounce back. I evolve.
"Every time I fight, I have a new skill or a new tool at my disposal. After January, I went back to the lab and worked as hard as I’ve ever worked to make sure I’m ready to dominate on July 10. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”
Physically in stellar shape, McGregor seems in a decent spot mentally, too. The time in Dubai was memorable, both personally and professionally. Last month, McGregor and fiancée Dee Devlin welcomed their third child into the family, a boy named Rian, while days before the birth the Dublin native was for the first time named the world’s highest-earning athlete for the past year. Forbes estimated his annual haul tallied $180 million.
Naturally, welcoming the latest member of the McGregor clan trumped all else. It’s why McGregor feels Dubai resonates now so strongly with him and his family.
“Without a doubt,” he says. “That’s one of the most important moments of my entire life, let alone my time in Dubai. Rian is such a blessing already, and I’m just very thankful him and his mother are happy and healthy.
“Outside of that, experiencing Ramadan here was very special. Obviously where I’m from, it isn’t celebrated nearly as widely. So getting to see it here was beautiful and something I’ll remember for ever.
"Dubai has been a really amazing place to spend the last few months. Add on to that some expanding business opportunities in the area, and the UAE provided a great base for myself, my team and my family.”
Business, patently, is booming. His place atop the Forbes list is veritable proof of that.
“That was an honour, yes,” McGregor says. “Something I had been targeting for a long time. It means a lot. It shows that what we’re doing is breeding success and that people are responding to it.
"Clearly my message and my personality resonate widely - and my business ventures. They all have my vision, my drive and the right people behind them. It’s an affirmation of years of hard work. It's a dream to see it realised.”
The connection with Dubai could offer yet more business opportunities long after UFC 264, reiterates Azhar Muhammad Saul, partner/senior vice president of Paradigm Sports, the agency that represents McGregor. Paradigm launched their international office in the emirate last year, which in part prompted McGregor’s stint in the UAE.
“Having Conor here was just great,” Muhammad Saul says. “The support we have received in the UAE has been humbling; we’re really grateful to everyone. You’ll see soon the results of the prodigious work Conor has put in - July 10 will be another memorable occasion."
A return to the T-Mobile Arena, then, should provide a fitting setting. McGregor and the venue share a pretty hefty history together already: it was home to his rematch against Diaz, the money-spinning crossover fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2017, his recording-breaking title encounter with Nurmagomedov 14 months later, and McGregor's most recent pro victory, against Donald Cerrone, early last year.
After welcoming back fans for the first time in almost a year during Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island 3 in January – almost 3,000 were present for McGregor-Poirier 2 – the UFC has led major sport's response to the pandemic by opening up again to capacity crowds. The promotion has already confirmed UFC 264 will play out in front of 20,000-plus in Las Vegas.
Still the sport's grand draw, McGregor is suitably excited.
“It’s going to be incredible,” he says. “Losing fans at sporting events - and even live sports in general for a while - was tragic. Fighting with fans in Abu Dhabi was incredible, so I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be going back to Vegas to be in front of fans from across the world.
“Vegas obviously is a place that I’ve had many of my legendary victories. I can’t wait to bring the Mystic Mac back to that city and remind them of what they’ve been missing.”
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
The info
Visit www.gokorea.co.uk
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
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.
The biog
Favourite book: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus
Favourite travel destination: Ooty, a hill station in South India
Hobbies: Cooking. Biryani, pepper crab are her signature dishes
Favourite place in UAE: Marjan Island
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
Persuasion
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 | 2,410 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
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
Other key dates
-
Finals draw: December 2
-
Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The%20specs
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What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.
“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
THE LOWDOWN
Photograph
Rating: 4/5
Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
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
