It is the rising star of international sport and as the booming popularity of UFC continues, UAE residents are strapping on the gloves and hitting the octagon.
Inspired by world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and American star Ronda Rousey, fitness enthusiasts who have been cooped up at home this summer turned to mixed martial arts as a stress reliever.
The National joined a taster class exclusively for teachers at the UFC Gym in Jumeirah Beach Residence this week.
Half of those to sign up were women - proof that a sport that combines judo, Taekwondo, jiu-jitsu and other martial arts is becoming more attractive to both genders, according to trainer and gym engagement manager Lisa Garrett.
It's been great to get out and meet people again and it is a bit more fun than just running on a treadmill
“People imagine this is like a fight club, but it is so much more than that,” said Ms Garrett, 42, who has represented England at judo.
“Our coaches teach beginners how to wrap their hands and then train for 50 minutes for a full body conditioning workout.
“It is empowering the fighting spirit, while making exercise fun.”
Classes would usually have a 30-person capacity, but are reduced to 50 per cent under current distancing rules.
Coaches either focus on conditioning, or skill - with Brazilian jiu-jitsu a key aspect of teaching and training.
A 24-foot octagon is central to the gym, where fighters take on round after round of punishment during bouts.
Although sparring between opponents is currently not allowed, coaches are on hand to teach skills necessary to deliver pinpoint punches.
The gym can host competitions and grading ceremonies to achieve different levels of competence with children as young as four taking part.
“If women see other women taking up the sport and doing well, it inspires them,” said Ms Garrett.
“Ronda Rousey has had a big impact in encouraging more women to take up MMA.
“It is the same with younger people wanting to get involved.”
One of those women trying out the sport for the first time was Natalie Hadfield, a 28-year-old teacher from Lancashire who works at Sunmarke School in Jumeirah Village Triangle.
“I thought I would give it a go as I’m interested in boxing and wanted to get in shape by doing something fun,” she said.
“It was really tiring, but great to get rid of some pent up energy.
“The last few months have been boring, so it’s been great to get out and meet people again.”
“It is a bit more fun than just running on a treadmill.”
The sport was already popular before Abu Dhabi hosted the spectacular Fight Island series last month, for which millions of viewers tuned in for a series of bouts in an isolated Yas Island.
The JBR UFC Gym has 1,200 members and its branch in Business Bay has 2,000 – proof the sport is becoming hugely popular across the country.
Youth classes run in different age groups from 4-7,8-11 and 12-15. While the average age of those taking to the ring is 35, fitness classes are suitable for all.
At 45, Robert Welsh was one of the older teachers to try out the sport.
The Briton works for the Ministry of Education at various schools across the country, and started Thai boxing 20 years ago.
"A lot of teachers struggled with the lockdown, either with the online teaching itself because of the new technology or losing the classroom environment,” said Mr Welsh.
“Many felt isolated or anxious about potentially losing their jobs, so hitting the bag has been a massive help for them.”
Mr Welsh is part of Teacher Socials, an events group dedicated to helping teachers find a work-life balance.
The teachersocials app will offer discounts on eating out, well-being tips and social activities and goes live on August 23.
“Mental health and fitness go hand in hand,” said Mr Welsh.
“If one deteriorates, then the other usually follows.
“We have held several events to get teachers together from Dubai to help those who felt alone and needed to relieve some pressure.
“The classes are great, they can burn calories and are brilliant stress relievers.”
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.
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Scoreline
Liverpool 4
Oxlade-Chamberlain 9', Firmino 59', Mane 61', Salah 68'
Manchester City 3
Sane 40', Bernardo Silva 84', Gundogan 90' 1
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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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
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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LIVERPOOL SQUAD
Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, Adrian, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Andy Lonergan, Xherdan Shaqiri, Andy Robertson, Divock Origi, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
More on Quran memorisation:
Premier League results
Saturday
Crystal Palace 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
Cardiff City 2 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Bournemouth 2
Leicester City 3 Fulham 1
Newcastle United 3 Everton 2
Southampton 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Manchester City 3 Watford 1
Sunday
Liverpool 4 Burnley 2
Chelsea 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Arsenal 2 Manchester United 0
Mobile phone packages comparison
Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
