A match-up made in Abu Dhabi and transported to Perth has major fight feel.
On Sunday, Alex Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev headline the UFC’s grand return to Australia, in a bout that pits against one another the sport’s current No 1 pound-for-pound male athlete and its No 2.
Volkanovski, the lead light, resides as the UFC’s featherweight champion following four successful title defences; Makhachev the lightweight belt-holder after his dominant display against Charles Oliveira in the UAE capital last October.
For home hope Volkanovski, UFC 284 at the RAC Arena offers the chance to join a truly select band. In stepping up from 145lbs, the Australian can not only become the eighth two-division champion in UFC history, but the fifth to hold two belts simultaneously. To date, that elevated roll of honour reads Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo and Daniel Cormier.
That Volkanovski agreed to the challenge speaks not only to a belief in his MMA acumen – he sits rightfully as the sport’s all-round active No 1 – but his ambition, also.
His credentials are obvious. His 22-fight win streak is the longest in MMA competition of any active UFC competitor. His sole professional defeat in 26 bouts came almost a full decade ago. And he is 12-0 since signing with the UFC, one of only four fighters to begin their career in the promotion with such a sequence.
Yet it is Volkanovski’s conviction to this particular cause that stands out. For most already the finest featherweight in UFC history, he has elected to test his talent at 155lbs, against the lightweight division’s newly minted champion and the long-touted heir apparent to Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Thus, “Alexander the Great” has an opportunity for “Greatest Of All Time” status. Unquestionably, victory on Sunday would rank among the most impressive in the UFC's near 30-year existence, albeit not its biggest shock – far from it, given Volkanovski’s calibre – even if he goes into the fight as underdog.
Volkanovski, 34, flew to Abu Dhabi in October not long after recovering from hand surgery, made weight as a potential replacement for Makhachev-Oliveira, before entering the octagon at Etihad Arena in the immediate aftermath of UFC 280 when the gauntlet was thrown down.
He sized up Makhachev, the scale of the assignment proposed, and accepted. Makhachev, remember, rides an 11-fight win streak – second only to Volkanovski – and boasts a 23-1 pro record. The solitary loss coming in late 2015. Justifiably, he is considered one of the sport’s most supreme wrestlers.
And that’s what makes Sunday’s showdown feel genuinely special. The top two in the pound-for-pound rankings, both seemingly at their peak, Volkanovski’s incredible striking against Makhachev’s irrepressible ground game.
Makhachev is viewed as favourite, since Volkanovski has jumped into what the Dagestani told The National last week marks a “new jungle”. At 31, Makhachev is tipped to reign for some time, billed as the continuation to Nurmagomedov's legacy.
Volkanovski, though, thrives in the underdog role. What's more, his back catalogue confirms he is too good to be underestimated, something that Makhachev will surely recognise. For both, the stakes are substantial.
But for Volkanovski, should he emerge victorious in front of his fans, he doesn't simply take a seat alongside McGregor, Nunes, Cejudo and Cormier at that exclusive table. He cements his place in the pantheon, too.
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
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
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
World Cup League Two
Results
Oman beat Nepal by 18 runs
Oman beat United States by six wickets
Nepal beat United States by 35 runs
Oman beat Nepal by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Oman v United States
Wednesday, Nepal v United States
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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
THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
