Islam Makhachev is eyeing champ-champ status in Abu Dhabi later this year after calling out welterweight belt-holder Leon Edwards on Sunday.
The lightweight champion, who captured the 155-lbs crown in the capital last October, made clear his desire to take on Edwards immediately following the latter’s successful welterweight title defence against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in London.
The UFC announced on Thursday that it will return to Abu Dhabi on October 21, with UFC 294 at Etihad Arena.
“I want Leon next” Makhachev tweeted early on Sunday. “October in Abu Dhabi.”
Edwards, who defeated Usman last August by a sensational knockout to claim the welterweight title, came through their trilogy clash – Usman won their first encounter, in 2015 – at O2 Arena via a majority decision.
It lifted Edwards’ unbeaten run to 12, while Makhachev rides a 12 fight win-streak after successfully defending his belt last month against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Speaking to BT Sport after the Usman triumph, Edwards suggested he would be interested with a fight with lightweight counterpart Makhachev, saying: “All comers are welcome.
“Pay me right and I will show up. That’s my mentality. If you pay me well, I will show up and anybody can get it.”
However, UFC president Dana White appeared to pour cold water on a potential Makhachev-Edwards bout at UFC 294. At the post-fight media briefing, White said former title challenger Colby Covington was next in line for a shot at welterweight gold.
The American, the No 2-ranked contender at 170lbs, was in London on Friday to make weight as a back-up to Edwards-Usman.
“Colby’s next,” White said. “We’re going back to Abu Dhabi on October 21, but it definitely won’t be Leon and [Makhachev].”
Meanwhile, White said also that he expects Khamzat Chimaev to return to the octagon in October, although he did not confirm whether that would fall in Abu Dhabi.
Chimaev, who will compete next at middleweight, has not fought since his first-round submission win against Kevin Holland in Las Vegas in September. Four of the Chechen-born athlete’s seven UFC appearances have taken place in Abu Dhabi, including his debut in July 2020. Chimaev, 28, is 12-0 as a professional.
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Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
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Director: Harmony Korine
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Two stars
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
The years Ramadan fell in May
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fixtures
Friday Leganes v Alaves, 10.15pm; Valencia v Las Palmas, 12.15am
Saturday Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad, 8.15pm; Girona v Atletico Madrid, 10.15pm; Sevilla v Espanyol, 12.15am
Sunday Athletic Bilbao v Getafe, 8.15am; Barcelona v Real Betis, 10.15pm; Deportivo v Real Madrid, 12.15am
Monday Levante v Villarreal, 10.15pm; Malaga v Eibar, midnight
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Tree of Hell
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
