ABU DHABI // The heads of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) are expected in Abu Dhabi this week for talks they hope will help bring the fast-growing sport to the capital.
The UFC president, Dana White, and the organisation's chief executive, Lorenzo Fertitta, have been vocal in the past over their desire to bring the mixed martial arts (MMA) competition to Abu Dhabi, and sources close to the pair have confirmed they are expected to head to the UAE in the next few days in search of sponsors.
While interest in boxing has waned in recent years, the popularity of UFC has exploded, and it has become one of the fastest growing sports around the world.
Having started out as a competition pitting different martial arts styles against one another, UFC has developed as an MMA sport, which involves fighters utilising skills from several martial arts in a battle of skill, strength and power.
UFC chief executive Fertitta recently said it was his intention to bring the sport to Abu Dhabi. If successful, its supporters envisage MMA becoming a highlight of Abu Dhabi's sporting calendar.
The competition was devised by the Gracie family, jiu jitsu practitioners and instructors who developed the tournament to showcase their own style of jiu jitsu.
Royce Gracie became the first UFC winner and went on to success in two further MMA tournaments.
"UFC is growing very fast. They are spreading out all over the world," Gracie said during a jiu jitsu seminar in Abu Dhabi.
"They are not the only ones. There are other shows in town too. Art of War is a big show in China. There are some good fighters there."
Gracie is in town to run a seminar on his family's brand of jiu jitsu. He is planning to return in February, and would be excited to come back to watch UFC live in Abu Dhabi.
"Why not [bring UFC to Abu Dhabi], what stops it from coming here? What stops it from going all over the world? Not just UFC, but any MMA show," said Gracie.
"In the beginning what stops it is education. You have got to educate the crowd. It is a sport like boxing, a sport like football.
"Kids break their ankles and arms every year in football, does that make it a dangerous sport? No. There are all kinds of regulations now that control not just the UFC, but all the MMAs. It is a safe sport."
The popularity of jiu jitsu is growing rapidly in the UAE. The inaugural World Jiu Jitsu Cup took place successfully in the capital in May, with the finals attracting 2,000 spectators, and pupils across the capital are learning the sport in schools.
"What is happening here with jiu jitsu is awesome," said Gracie, "They are teaching kids how to do this stuff from a young age. Some might become fighters in world competition, most of them will just learn for self defence in case one day they need it. It is a great thing."
sports@thenational.ae
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
The%20stats%20and%20facts
%3Cp%3E1.9%20million%20women%20are%20at%20risk%20of%20developing%20cervical%20cancer%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E80%25%20of%20people%2C%20females%20and%20males%2C%20will%20get%20human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV)%20once%20in%20their%20lifetime%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOut%20of%20more%20than%20100%20types%20of%20HPV%2C%2014%20strains%20are%20cancer-causing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E99.9%25%20of%20cervical%20cancers%20are%20caused%20by%20the%20virus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EA%20five-year%20survival%20rate%20of%20close%20to%2096%25%20can%20be%20achieved%20with%20regular%20screenings%20for%20cervical%20cancer%20detection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2025%20to%2029%20should%20get%20a%20Pap%20smear%20every%20three%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2030%20to%2065%20should%20do%20a%20Pap%20smear%20and%20HPV%20test%20every%20five%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EChildren%20aged%2013%20and%20above%20should%20get%20the%20HPV%20vaccine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.