Khamzat Chimaev says he hopes Nate Diaz can “survive” five rounds with him at UFC 279 this weekend, although he does not expect his rival to get past the first.
The two welterweights meet in the headline bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas early on Sunday morning UAE time, with Chimaev the overwhelming favourite to get the victory.
Diaz, still one of the most popular fighters in the sport, heads into the final bout on his current UFC contract on the back of successive defeats.
Chimaev, meanwhile, has taken the sport by storm since debuting in the UFC in Abu Dhabi in 2020. The Chechen-born Swede, 28, is unbeaten in 11 professional MMA bouts. Diaz, 37, has a 20-13 pro record.
Asked at the UFC 279 media day late on Wednesday what he expects from Diaz, Chimaev told reporters: “What he going to do? [The] fight [is] at 170 [lbs].
“I can fight at heavyweight as well. I don’t think that guy is going to survive one round. I hope he can survive five rounds. It’s good for him. Show his heart and go away from the UFC being a warrior.
“If I beat him first round everyone is going to say the guy is too old and that Uncle Diaz is going to have to go home.”
Making his sixth appearance in the UFC, Chimaev has already become one of the most talked-about athletes in the sport.
Having burst on to the scene during the inaugural Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, he ploughed through a number of opponents before facing his first real test last time out, against Gilbert Burns in April.
That Fight of the Year Contender, which Chimaev won by unanimous decision, came six months following his long-awaited comeback – he suffered badly from Covid-19 – at UFC 267 in the UAE capital last October.
On whether he felt the magnitude of headlining a Vegas card this weekend, Chimaev said: “All moments in UFC are big moments for me. It feels amazing I’m fighting Nate Diaz. One of the guys who has been, like, 15 years in the UFC.
“One of the legends. Maybe it’s his last fight. Who knows. I’m happy.”
As for what happens when the octagon door closes come fight night, Chimaev said: “I’m going to go take his head off. I come here, don’t take the points and play the games. I come here to smash somebody and take his head.”
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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