The UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi in October will be headlined by Jan Blachowicz’s light-heavyweight title defence against Glover Teixeira – one of two championship bouts to feature on the bill at UFC 267.
The world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion announced on Wednesday that the October 30 event will, as expected, include twin title fights, with the rematch between bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan also taking place at Etihad Arena.
More bouts are expected to be confirmed within the next week. UFC 267 concludes the second iteration of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, marking a revision to the five-year agreement signed between the UFC and the emirate in 2019. The capital has since hosted the standalone UFC 242 and three Fight Island series, with the most recent staged in January.
Blachowicz, 38, will have fond memories of Abu Dhabi given it is where he secured the light-heavyweight belt last September, when he defeated Dominick Reyes for the vacant crown via technical knockout at UFC 253.
The Pole has since defended the title once, at UFC 259 in March, where he inflicted middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s first defeat in the promotion. Teixeira, meanwhile, is currently the light-heavyweight division’s No 1-ranked contender. Like Blachowicz, the Brazilian rides a five-fight win streak.
Blachowicz-Teixeira will follow immediately Sterling’s title defence against Yan. The duo met first at UFC 259 in Las Vegas, with Sterling prevailing by disqualification after Yan was punished for an intentional illegal knee strike in the fourth round.
In doing so, Sterling became the first athlete to win a UFC belt by disqualification. Yan had captured the crown in Abu Dhabi, at UFC 251, which kicked off the inaugural Fight Island series in July 2020.
While neither the UFC nor local organisers have confirmed other bouts for UFC 267, a number of intriguing match-ups have been mooted. Khamzat Chimaev, another star of the Fight Island series, is tipped to make his long-awaited comeback following a protracted battle with Covid-19.
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
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