Khamzat Chimaev will make his long-awaited UFC comeback in Abu Dhabi in October, after his bout against China’s Li Jingliang at UFC 267 was confirmed on Thursday.
Chimaev, one of the breakout stars of the inaugural Fight Island series in the capital last summer, has not competed since September because of complications resulting from contracting Covid-19. The unbeaten Chechen, 27, boasts a mixed martial arts record of 9-0 (3-0 in UFC).
Chimaev’s return to action strengthens an already stellar card for UFC 267 at Etihad Arena, which will feature two title bouts. On Wednesday, the UFC confirmed Jan Blachowicz will defend his light-heavyweight crown against No 1-ranked contender Glover Teixeira, while bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling takes on Petr Yan in a rematch of their title clash at UFC 259 in March.
Also on Thursday, the promotion announced UFC 267 will feature a light-heavyweight match-up between Shamil Gamzatov and Michal Oleksiejczuk, taking the number of confirmed bouts to four. Although other bouts have been mooted, the UFC is expected to release more of the card within the coming days.
A fast-rising UFC prospect, Chimaev knows Abu Dhabi well having made his eagerly anticipated promotional debut in the emirate during Fight Island 1 in July last year. While competing at both welterweight and middleweight, he made UFC history for the quickest turnaround between fights, at 10 days. He won both bouts convincingly.
His subsequent 17-second win against veteran Gerald Meerschaert on his Las Vegas bow in September means Chimaev has spent an accumulative four-and-a-half minutes inside the octagon to register his three victories.
Chimaev, who lives and trains in Sweden, was booked to face welterweight contender Leon Edwards in December, but the bout was cancelled three weeks before when both fighters tested positive for Covid-19. The clash was rescheduled twice, initially for Abu Dhabi in January, for the promotion's third Fight Island residency.
In March, Chimaev hinted on social media that he was retiring from the sport as he battled the ill-effects of the virus. However, UFC president Dana White quickly dismissed suggestions Chimaev would walk away, saying he was clearly upset by his delayed recovery from Covid-19.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
2019 ASIA CUP POTS
Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand
Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam
Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan
HAJJAN
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Britain's travel restrictions
- A negative test 2 days before flying
- Complete passenger locator form
- Book a post-arrival PCR test
- Double-vaccinated must self-isolate
- 11 countries on red list quarantine
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
