Dana White exclusive: UFC president expects to see fans in Abu Dhabi when he returns for Fight Island 3 - but not Conor McGregor

UFC president Dana White says the promotion would most probably not return to Abu Dhabi until next February for a third Fight Island series, all but ruling out Conor McGregor’s much-awaited comeback taking place in the emirate.

The world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion is currently in the capital for a second residency, with two of the five events on "Return to Fight Island" remaining.

On Sunday, Brian Ortega and "The Korean Zombie" Jung Chan-sung headline the latest UFC Fight Night, while the hugely anticipated UFC 254 concludes the promotion's present run on October 24.

There, undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov steps back into the octagon after 13 months away in his title unification clash with interim belt-holder Justin Gaethje.

Speaking to The National on Tuesday, White said that, although nothing is confirmed as of yet, he envisaged having a plan in place for Fight Island 3 before leaving Abu Dhabi immediately after UFC 254.

“If you think about it, we’re going back home in two weeks, so we have November, December and January where we’ll be in the States, we’ll be in Vegas,” White said.

“Then we’ll be ready for some more international fights. Unless the world changes in the next three months, which who knows?

“Let’s see what happens after [the US] election [on November 3]. I hope a lot of things are going to get cleared up and changed after the election, either way, whoever wins. And if not we’ll have to come back here by February.”

Discussions between the UFC and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi have taken place regarding a limited number of spectators attending UFC 254.

The UFC last staged a show with fans in March, at UFC 248 in Las Vegas, and has carried on throughout the pandemic with its live shows behind closed doors. Fight Island is housed inside a six square-kilometre "safe zone" on Yas Island, with everyone within tested regularly for Covid-19.

Asked when he expected to welcome back paying customers into arenas, White said: “I think our next stint on Fight Island will probably be with fans.

"I believe that Abu Dhabi will be the first place that opens up to fans again, because they have this thing so dialled in over here. This is one of those destinations, and especially with Fight Island, that people will want to come and see. When we do our first fight here [with fans] it’s going to be massive.”

White said hosting events with spectators represented the next step for Fight Island, and confirmed the UFC would continue to host the series post-pandemic. White designed Fight Island initially to allow the promotion's international athletes to compete during the crisis.

The American said also that the UFC has discussed establishing a performance institute in Abu Dhabi, which would serve also as their regional base.

“I’m telling you again, this is going to be the fight capital of the world,” White said. “This is going to be the destination for people, if you’re in Europe, Russia, Australia, all these other places, when we put on big fights over here in Fight Island, people are going to travel from all over the world to come watch.

"We’re planning on doing big things over here, not just the night of the fight, but the week of the fight. We’re working now towards making this incredible experience for people, not just the fights, but the surroundings here on Fight Island, all the things that are available and the things to do.

_______________________________________________

UFC Fight Night: Brian Ortega and Jung Chan-sung arrive in Abu Dhabi

_______________________________________________

"Abu Dhabi is that place. If you look at the fights we’re doing in Las Vegas at the Apex, it’s not what we’re doing here. We’re on to our 32nd event [despite] this pandemic.

"It would never have happened and these big fights wouldn’t have happened if they weren’t in Abu Dhabi. And this being the destination that it is, as soon as we open up this place to fans, people are going to flock here.”

White reiterated that he preferred staging events with capacity crowds whenever venues reopen to spectators, but added: “I’ll work with Abu Dhabi on what they want to do and how they want to do it. I believe that they’re going to be first. But in the States, I’m not going anywhere unless it’s 100 per cent full capacity.”

On the Etihad Arena, which was mooted as a possible late venue switch for UFC 254 – all Fight Island events thus far have taken place at Flash Forum – White said: “I’ve walked through it a couple of times. I’m excited about it. One of the things that’s so awesome – one of the million things that’s so awesome about this place – is they’ve kind of designed this thing around our needs for the UFC.

“So it’s almost like we’re getting this Etihad Arena out here built like the Apex in Vegas. Because the Apex was built straight up for fighting – we do other things in there, like music and comedy – but that thing was built for fighting. And these guys have done the same thing for us here in Abu Dhabi.”

The first two Fight Island runs have showcased some of the UFC’s most prominent stars, including Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, Jorge Masvidal and Rose Namajunas, with the likes of Nurmagomedov and Gaethje to come.

White wouldn’t commit yet to which fighters the UFC are seeking to bring to Abu Dhabi next time around, saying: “I don’t know yet off the top of my head, because right now we’re working on what’s going to happen in Vegas over the next three months.

“Before I leave here I want to start working on Fight Island 3. Then when I get home, we’ll start working on who’s going to come here next.”

______________________

Khabib at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi

_____________________

That would therefore appear to rule out McGregor. The sport's most high-profile athlete, who announced his retirement from fighting in June, has been offered a second match-up with Dustin Poirier, in January.

However, the former two-division champion took to social media last week to say he wanted the bout only either next month or December.

“We offered them both a fight, Dustin accepted the fight; we’re waiting on Conor,” White said. “We actually made a date for him, a date that we didn’t have. We created another date in January for Dustin versus Conor. So we’re just waiting to hear back from Conor and get this done.”

White said a deadline exists for McGregor to accept, but added: “I don’t know what that is. My poor lawyer’s dealing with all that. Not me. I’m over here enjoying myself.”

On whether Abu Dhabi could end up hosting McGregor-Poirier, White said: “Listen, I don’t know about January. Probably in Vegas, but anything is possible. Who knows? Let’s see what the world looks like in January. Maybe fans are back in January, and Conor and Dustin is in a sold-out arena somewhere.”

As for the two remaining events on this Fight Island, White said: “I’m so excited, man. This whole stint on Fight Island 1 and 2 has been amazing; the fights have been incredible. Even the cards that the critics wanted to tear apart have been blowing people’s minds.

“The fights that are lined up these next two cards, if you are not even remotely a fight fan you cannot miss these next two. We’re ending this thing with a serious bang.”

Managing the separation process

Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.

Boston%20Strangler

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Matt%20Ruskin%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKeira%20Knightley%2C%20Carrie%20Coon%2C%20Alessandro%20Nivola%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry

Rating: 2/5

EVIL%20DEAD%20RISE

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELee%20Cronin%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlyssa%20Sutherland%2C%20Morgan%20Davies%2C%20Lily%20Sullivan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

AL%20BOOM

%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BDirector%3AAssad%20Al%20Waslati%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%0DStarring%3A%20Omar%20Al%20Mulla%2C%20Badr%20Hakami%20and%20Rehab%20Al%20Attar%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20ADtv%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The specs

Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor

Power: 320bhp

Torque: 605Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh219,000

On sale: Now

Company profile

Name: Dukkantek

Started: January 2021

Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani

Based: UAE

Number of employees: 140

Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)

Investment: $5.2 million

Funding stage: Seed round

Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office

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

MADAME%20WEB

%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20S.J.%20Clarkson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Dakota%20Johnson%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%2C%20Sydney%20Sweeney%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Brandt%20Andersen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Sy%2C%20Jason%20Beghe%2C%20Angeliki%20Papoulia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate

Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead

Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks

Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence

Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground

Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

Kanye%20West

%3Cp%3EYe%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rapper%20formerly%20known%20as%20Kanye%20West%20%E2%80%94%20has%20seen%20his%20net%20worth%20fall%20to%20%24400%20million%20in%20recent%20weeks.%20That%E2%80%99s%20a%20precipitous%20drop%20from%20Bloomberg%E2%80%99s%20estimates%20of%20%246.8%20billion%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3Cbr%3EYe%E2%80%99s%20wealth%20plunged%20after%20business%20partners%2C%20including%20Adidas%2C%20severed%20ties%20with%20him%20on%20the%20back%20of%20anti-Semitic%20remarks%20earlier%20this%20year.%3Cbr%3EWest%E2%80%99s%20present%20net%20worth%20derives%20from%20cash%2C%20his%20music%2C%20real%20estate%20and%20a%20stake%20in%20former%20wife%20Kim%20Kardashian%E2%80%99s%20shapewear%20firm%2C%20Skims.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

While you're here

Kareem Shaheen: Even a pandemic could not unite today's America

Michele Wucker: The difference between a black swan and a grey rhino

Robert Matthews: Has flawed science and rushed research failed us?

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

While you're here

Bryant Harris: What Joe Biden did during his first week as US President

Kareem Shaheen: Omar Alghabra outshines the racists who malign him

Kareem Shaheen: Canada is failing those who bear its greatest Covid-19 burdens

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

%3Cp%3EThe%20Punishment%20of%20Luxury%3Cbr%3EOMD%3Cbr%3E100%25%20Records%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm

Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km

Price: From Dh796,600

On sale: now

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Tomorrow 2021

Crown Prince reveals Tomorrow 2021 plan for Abu Dhabi's economy

Tomorrow 2021: Abu Dhabi business leaders predict stronger 2019

The UAE explained: What are the new plans for the economy and why do we need them?

Abu Dhabi's plans to liberalise the economy are progressing fast - but how are other countries planning for post-oil?

UAE-wide visa changes: Expats imagine life after work in the UAE

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

Dana White exclusive: UFC president expects to see fans in Abu Dhabi when he returns for Fight Island 3 - but not Conor McGregor

White all but rules out Irishman's comeback against Poirier taking place in UAE

UFC Fight Night: Brian Ortega and Jung Chan-sung arrive in Abu Dhabi

Khabib at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi

Boston%20Strangler

Emergency

EVIL%20DEAD%20RISE

AL%20BOOM

The specs

Company&nbsp;profile

GAC GS8 Specs

MADAME%20WEB

THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

Kanye%20West

While you're here

Who's who in Yemen conflict

While you're here

Islamophobia definition

The specs

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Tomorrow 2021

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Company profile