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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Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
Naga
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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
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The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
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