It’s been a long couple of years for Bruno Machado so, understandably, the UAE Warriors lightweight champion cannot wait to finally defend his belt once more.
“Of course,” the Brazilian tells The National, the enthusiasm pouring from him like sweat following another training session ahead of next week’s headline bout at UAE Warriors 36 on Yas Island.
“I love to compete, especially here in Abu Dhabi. Always when I have a fight in Abu Dhabi it’s like... you know when you are a kid and you know your birthday will come in 10 days and so in 10 days you will have a party? That’s the feeling I have.
“When I go to fight week I say, ‘In five days I’ll have my party'. It’s like a party for me. I love it… I love it. Every single moment there. I love to go backstage; I love to do the warm-up; I love to do my walk to the cage. I just love everything. Honestly, I enjoy every moment.”
Machado, a long-time Abu Dhabi resident, hasn’t experienced that feeling in MMA in quite some time. Having secured the UAE Warriors lightweight belt in July 2020, he retained it the following January.
However, he hasn’t fought in the UAE-based promotion since. A succession of bouts booked against Martun Mezhlumyan have fallen out on the Armenian’s side, with Machado typically biding his time to meet him inside the cage.
The rivals were slated to top the bill next weekend, in the middle event of the UAE Warriors’ three-night series at Eithad Arena, only for Mezhlumyan to again pull out, citing illness.
Yet, rather than wait even longer, Machado agreed to fight South Korean southpaw Yun Jae Jung as a late stand-in on February 25. Given the protracted period between title defences, Machado has a competitive itch he needs to scratch.
“Why I took too long to be back?” he explains. “I was supposed to fight before, but the guy I wanted to fight in UAE Warriors, when we had the agreement to fight, he was sick. And the second time he got injured.
“They always offer me someone else, but I say, ‘No, no, I want to fight this one’. We were supposed to fight next weekend, but he’s sick again. So they changed my opponent, one more time.
“But this time I’ll fight a new opponent; I won’t wait for [Mezhlumyan] anymore.”
It’s not as if Machado, 36, has been sitting around, casually wishing away his time. He has continued training since that unanimous-decision victory against Mikael Lebout way back in January 2021, and recently sparred regularly in Dubai to help friend Mounir Lazzez through camp as the welterweight prepared for his UFC return.
“So, I didn’t lose the feeling,” Machado says.
There was also the incredible opportunity that came his way last May, when Machado took on UFC great and compatriot Anderson Silva in an exhibition boxing bout in Abu Dhabi.
Even now, he describes it as “a dream to all fighters, especially in Brazil – he’s a hero there”.
Not that Machado, who teaches jiu-jitsu in the military, has allowed that to change him at all.
“My life really didn’t change a lot,” he says. “I’m still doing everything I was doing before I fought Anderson. Still fighting, still training.
“Of course, now people know me a little bit more than before. But if I say to you, ‘Ah my life changed a lot. No, it hasn’t changed.”
Machado adds with a laugh: “I still have to go to work every day at 5am.”
That said, as Machado heads into UAE Warriors 36, the Silva challenge has inadvertently worked in his favour.
“It gave me more experience; especially, it will help for my next fight because Anderson is also southpaw,” Machado says. “So it will help me a lot if the guy thinks I have no experience to fight southpaw.
“I was training a lot to fight southpaw, especially against Anderson. I fought Anderson, and he’s high-level southpaw.”
Machado, whose current six-fight win streak has lifted his pro MMA record to 15-9, has still had to completely change his strategy for next week, though. He trained for three months for the orthodox Mezhlumyan, so a significant chunk of time now is given to analysing video of Jung in action.
The welterweight, 8-2-1, is coming down to 155 lbs to meet Machado. It marks his UAE Warriors debut after claiming the Double G welterweight title in his Seoul last May.
“The change was a little bit hard, but thanks God I have a bit of experience,” Machado says. “I’m very positive for that fight, too. I’m more than ready to fight.”
Perhaps even more dangerous, also.
“I think I’m a hard fight for anyone,” Machado says. “Why? Because I’m already 36 years old; I’ve fought a lot before. I had a lot of experience. And I have nothing to lose.
“Like I said before, I’m still fighting here not because I need the money. I’m still fighting because I want to fight. I have my money from my job every month. I’m still doing it because I love the feeling. I love to go there and fight.
“Can you imagine you go to the fight without any pressure on your back? I’m going there just to enjoy the moment and fight. So, for me, it’s much better.
“It’s different when you go to the fights because you have to win because you need that money to do something. It’s a little bit harder.
“The guy who needs the money doesn’t risk a lot. Because in his mind he always says, “I cannot lose, I cannot lose, I cannot lose’. For me, I don’t need the money. But, for sure, I want to win.”
Not only that. But enjoy a double celebration, as well.
“I’m very happy to fight on that night, especially because a friend [flyweight Victor Nunes] who also trained with me is fighting on the same card. I’m a little bit more excited because of that.
“So perfect scenario: we both go there, and both get out of the cage with the victory, no matter how, because we’re ready to do whatever it takes to get our hand raised.
“I’ll be very happy to see my friend win. Then I will be happy to get my victory also.”
The Good Liar
Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen
Directed by: Bill Condon
Three out of five stars
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Kane (50')
Newcastle United 0
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Teaching in coronavirus times
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
