• UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty
    UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty
    Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty
    Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty
    Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty
  • Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty
    Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty
    Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty
    Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty
  • Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty
    Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty
  • Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty
    Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty
  • Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty
    Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty
  • Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty
    Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty
  • Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty
    Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty
  • Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty
    Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty
  • Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty
    Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty
  • Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty
    Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty
  • Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty
    Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty
  • Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty
    Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty
  • US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty
    US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty
  • Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty
    Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty
  • Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty
    Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty
  • US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty
    US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty
  • Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty
    Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty
  • Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty
    Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty
  • Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty
    Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty
  • Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty
    Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty
  • Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty
    Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty
  • American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty
    American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty
  • Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty
    Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty
  • Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty
    Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty
  • Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty
    Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty

Other Sport

Dana White confident he can persuade Khabib Nurmagomedov to come out of retirement when they meet in Abu Dhabi

UFC president backs himself to lure undefeated Russian back to the octagon

John McAuley
John McAuley

December 12, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

UFC president Dana White is confident he will be able to convince Khabib Nurmagomedov to come out of retirement when they meet up in Abu Dhabi next month.

The lightweight champion, 32, made the shock announcement that he was calling time on his career immediately following UFC 254 in the capital in October, when he defeated interim title-holder Justin Gaethje by second-round submission. The conclusion to the UFC's second Fight Island series, it carried Nurmagomedov's record to 29-0. It was the Dagestan native's first competitive fight since his father and long-time coach, Abdulmanap, died in July.

However, speculation has continued that Nurmagomedov will return to the octagon, with the unbeaten fighter teasing recently his get-together with White. The pair will meet in Abu Dhabi, most probably during the UFC's third Fight Island in the emirate. That three-event run, which is expected to culminate with Conor McGregor's long-awaited comeback, has yet to be confirmed.

Speaking to TMZ Sports on Saturday, White was asked about Nurmagomedov’s current status, to which he replied: "The truth is, he is not committed to anything. What he has committed to is meeting with me next month."

White, though, added: "We're going to find out how persuasive I can be. I'll bet on me every time."

Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov has released previously unseen footage of the lengths he went to in the build-up to UFC 254 to make weight for the championship clash. The video, posted on his official YouTube account, shows the difficulty he experienced in cutting to 155lbs, and charts the final day at W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island leading up to the weigh-in.

Nurmagomedov eventually took to the scales first at Flash Forum, where he looked mighty relieved to have come in on the button.

The video can be viewed here.

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E640hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%20from%202%2C300-4%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E11.9L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh749%2C800%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'

Director:Michael Lehmann

Stars:Kristen Bell

Rating: 1/5

Results

Final: Iran beat Spain 6-3.

Play-off 3rd: UAE beat Russia 2-1 (in extra time).

Play-off 5th: Japan beat Egypt 7-2.

Play-off 7th: Italy beat Mexico 3-2.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T

Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000

Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic

Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm

Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km

While you're here
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Vikram%20Vedha
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UFC