The UFC has confirmed its return to Abu Dhabi next month, for a third Fight Island series. Featuring three events across eight days from January 16-23, each show’s headline bout has been announced. They’re all blockbusters, concluding with Conor McGregor’s eagerly anticipated comeback.
Max Holloway v Calvin Kattar, Fight Night 1 (Jan 16)
The former featherweight champion, one of the most popular athletes in mixed martial arts, plots his path back to another title shot. Holloway (21-6) was defeated on points against champion Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi in July, the second encounter between the pair going the way of the first.
Again, it was viewed as a controversial result. Holloway, a record-breaker at featherweight, ranks eighth on the UFC's pound-for-pound list. In Kattar, he faces a fighter very much on the rise: the American recorded two notable victories in 2020, including his own appearance on Fight Island in the summer, when he saw off the dangerous Dan Ige by unanimous decision. Ranked 6th in the division, this represents a golden chance for Kattar (22-4) to leapfrog Holloway in title contention.
Leon Edwards v Khamzat Chimaev, Fight Night 2 (Jan 20)
Originally booked for earlier this month, Edwards had to withdraw from the bout after contracting Covid 19. The Englishman, the welterweight division’s No 3-ranked challenger, is one of the most talented athletes in the division, but hasn’t fought since July last year. Boasting an 18-3 record, he rides an incredibly impressive eight-fight win streak.
As for his opponent? Chimaev is the breakout star of 2020, blitzing through his first three fights in the UFC. He won comfortably twice in 10 days on the inaugural Fight Island in July – a promotion record – then needed only 17 seconds to triumph on US debut in September.
His profile has grown exponentially, with Chimaev (9-0) now must-see TV. Now ranked 15th at welterweight, this is arguably the Chechen’s first real test – and what a challenge it presents.
Dustin Poirier v Conor McGregor, UFC 257 (Jan 23)
What a way to end the UFC’s latest residency. A rematch of their 2014 encounter, when McGregor cruised to a first-round TKO, this constitutes an altogether different challenge. And not just that it plays out at lightweight, instead of featherweight.
Poirier has grown to become one the division's most dangerous athletes, a former interim champion who last time out in June contested a Fight of the Year contender against Dan Hooker, where he won on points. The No 2-ranked challenger (26-6) has Abu Dhabi experience, too, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in September last year.
McGregor, ranked at No 4, remains an enthralling fighter, inside and outside the octagon. The former two-division champion (22-4) last fought in January, marking 14 months away from the sport by crushing Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds. Returning from another short-lived "retirement", still arguably the UFC's biggest draw.
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
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UNpaid bills:
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019
USA – $1.055 billion
Brazil – $143 million
Argentina – $52 million
Mexico – $36 million
Iran – $27 million
Israel – $18 million
Venezuela – $17 million
Korea – $10 million
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019
USA – $2.38 billion
Brazil – $287 million
Spain – $110 million
France – $103 million
Ukraine – $100 million
RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
Favourite animals: All of them
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
2019 Asian Cup final
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
