Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ali Al Qaisi has a couple of memories that are close to his heart.
The first was when he became the first Jordanian to feature in the UFC in 2020. The other is winning the UAE Warriors International and Arabia featherweight titles.
Which is probably why losing the UAE Warriors International crown to Samuel Bark was a huge blow for Al Qaisi, who is more determined than ever to regain the belt.
Al Qaisi, however, must first get past Peruvian Vicente Vargas in UAE Warriors 57 at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi on Friday to earn a title shot against Bark.
The Abu Dhabi promotion’s New Year double-header kicks off with an Arabia versus Africa card on Thursday, followed by UAE Warriors International.
“To fight in the UFC is one of the high points of my career, and also holding two title belts in the UAE Warriors. To regain my belt is my biggest goal going into this fight on Friday,” Al Qaisi told The National on the sidelines of the pre-fight press conference.
“I will bring the belt back home and I can't wait for that moment. He [Vargas] is a good fighter but he doesn't know what I will bring for him on the night.
“I’m well-prepared and coming off a camp in Phuket. This is my 10th fight in the UAE Warriors and I really want to get that rematch against Samuel for the belt.”
The Swede stopped Al Qaisi in the first round to hand the Jordanian his second successive defeat and take home the featherweight belt.
“They were two bad nights for me and those results are behind me,” Al Qaisi added. “This time I’m returning to the cage with a mission and that’s to work my way back to the title contest.
“The UAE Warriors is one of the best in the world. I know that because I travel a lot between camps, between fighting, and I see how much this promotion has grown and is still growing. Glad I'm one of the UAE Warriors family.”
Al Qaisi hopes his journey in the Abu Dhabi promotion, which began in 2021 after he was released by UFC, continues for a long time.
“The UAE Warriors is where I’ll be as long as possible. That’s why the UAE Warriors belt is so dear to me,” he said.
Upon joining, Al Qaisi reeled off four wins to clinch both the UAE Warriors International and Arabia featherweight titles.
He first lost the International title to Canadian Jesse Arnette when the cage-side doctor stopped Al Qaisi from continuing after he suffered a nasty cut above his eye.
Al Qaisi, 34, regained the belt and then successfully defended his crown against Arnette. And in between, he also successfully defended his Arabia belt against Egypt's Ahmed Faress.
Before losing his crown to Bark, Al Qaisi had suffered a shock first-round defeat to Walter Cogliandro, who was beaten by Vargas in July last year.
“Me losing to Walter and Vicente defeating him later is no concern for me. These things keep happening but this time I feel I’m really up there with the belt in mind,” said Al Qaisi, who has a 15-8 record.
Vargas, 38, is also eyeing a title shot against Bark. The Peruvian, who has a 22-6 record, will take confidence from his win over Cogliandro.
“I’m aware Ali is a good and respected fighter, but I have come here with the same goals of winning and earning a title shot,” Vargas said.
“This fight is very important and means a lot for me. I took a 22-hour flight and a six-hour stopover to reach this beautiful city. I fight mostly in Mexico and Brazil. It’s my second time in Abu Dhabi.”
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
The Saga Continues
Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)
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