With 2021 almost done and dusted, we look at some of the most intriguing UFC bouts we’d like to see in 2022 - that are yet to be made. There’s plenty of options given the level of competition throughout the promotion, and some do feel some way off, but it’s a wish list. So we’re allowed to have some fun …
Kamaru Usman v Khamzat Chimaev
The sport’s No 1 pound-for-pound athlete against the hype train currently motoring with most momentum? Yes please. Usman is working his way towards “greatest of all-time” status, unbeaten in 15 UFC appearances and now lapping the welterweight division as champion. Chimaev, meanwhile, burst on to the scene in Abu Dhabi last year, won again 10 days later, and has overcome Covid-19 to vault to 4-0 in the company. His win against Li Jingliang in the capital in October was as terrifying as it was impressive.
Conor McGregor v Nate Diaz 3
One of the biggest rivalries in UFC history, with the series level at 1-1? What’s not to like? McGregor and Diaz met twice in five months in 2016, with the former two-division champion losing the first by submission and then winning an epic rematch on points. OK, it’s five years since – soon to be six – and both are coming off successive defeats, but this remains the most money-spinning fight the UFC could make. Surely, it will happen at some stage.
Charles Oliveira v Justin Gaethje
Unquestionably the fight to make in the lightweight division. Oliveira is coming off a stunningly successful first title defence against Dustin Poirier this month, and Gaethje picked apart Michael Chandler in November in a Fight of the Year contender. UFC president Dana White says this will be next, with the two potential rivals since exchanging barbs. The talk is Brazil in May, with Gaethje openly wanting to go into Oliveira’s back yard to take the belt. Guaranteed fireworks.
Francis Ngannou v Jon Jones
Granted, heavyweight champion Ngannou has a blockbuster matchup next month with the fast-rising Ciryl Gane, but get through that and a mouth-watering meeting with Jones more than whets the appetite. Jones has yet to compete at heavyweight having ruled the light-heavyweight division for years, and is regarded by many as the greatest of all-time. Ngannou, meanwhile, is frighteningly powerful. Dispatch No 1 contender Gane at UFC 270, and welcoming Jones into the big-boys domain must be next.
Alexander Volkanovski v Max Holloway 3
OK, so a 2-0 series doesn’t exactly scream trilogy, but that’s looking past the previous two bouts. Volkanovski defeated then-champion Holloway by unanimous decision in December 2019, then again in Abu Dhabi last year – this time a controversial split decision. Both have since put on brilliant performances: Volkanovski against Brian Ortega and Holloway against Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez. So a third clash, with the champ versus the No 1-ranked contender, would be absorbing – and extremely lucrative.
Julianna Pena v Amanda Nunes 2
This month’s shock victory for Pena could lay claim to represent the greatest upset in UFC history. Pena, a huge underdog going into UFC 269, stunned the two-division champion in the second round, winning by rear-naked choke to take the bantamweight title. Was it a fluke? Did Nunes, unbeaten in 12 fights going back seven years and widely considered the greatest female of all-time, underestimate her opponent? Now a mother, has she lost focus? The MMA world would certainly love to see how Nunes responds.
Colby Covington v Jorge Masvidal
A friends-to-foes rivalry that’s been bubbling for years ticks all the boxes, even if Covington has lost two of his past three and Masvidal his past two. All four losses, though, were dished out by Usman. What’s more, the beef between these former roommates is said to be as real as it gets. Covington ranks as the No 1 welterweight challenger and is incredibly skilled. Facing off against a huge fan favourite, underpinned by genuine enmity, is a script that writes itself.
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Unresolved crisis
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
