The UFC marks its return to hosting live events with next week's UFC 249, despite almost all other major sport in the world maintaining their shutdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Determined to get his promotion back up and running, president Dana White has put together a stacked card. Here are the details.
What is it?
UFC 249, the latest instalment in the world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion. The event has been in the offing for some time, and was originally scheduled for April 18, but faced a number of issues amid the pandemic.
With three shows leading up to that initial date cancelled, White pushed on with making UFC 249 happen on April 18, but was eventually asked to "stand down" by Disney and ESPN, the promotion's parent company and broadcast partner, respectively. However, he has eventually delivered, with UFC 249 the first of three events to take place in a week.
When is it?
May 10 (May 9 in the United States). The main card kicks off at 6am UAE time.
Where is it?
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The venue will host UFC 249 and then events on May 14 (UAE) and May 17 (UAE). UFC 249 was originally to be staged at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but restrictions implemented in New York in the face of the outbreak prompted a change of venue. The event will run behind closed doors (without an audience) and will be produced with only essential personnel in attendance.
Who is fighting?
Tony Ferguson's interim title clash with Justin Gaethje headlines, in what is sure to be a hugely entertaining match-up. Ferguson, the No 1-ranked lightweight challenger, had been lined up to finally face undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but that match was made impossible earlier this month when the Dagestan native returned to Russia.
Ferguson (25-3) is riding a joint-record, 12-bout win streak stretching back to 2012, while Gaethje’s explosive talent gives him a 21-2 record in mixed martial arts. He is unbeaten in his past three fights.
In the co-main event, Henry Cejudo could etch his name into UFC history as the greatest bantamweight champion of all-time when he takes on previous title-holder Dominick Cruz. Cejudo is one of only four athletes in UFC history to hold two championships at the same time (flyweight the other).
Elsewhere, the likely heavyweight title eliminator that pits Francis Ngannou against Jairzinho Rozenstruik should be one of the highlights of the night, while fan favourite Donald Cerrone takes on Anthony Pettis in a rematch of their 2013 bout.
Full fight card (subject to change):
- Tony Ferguson v Justin Gaethje - interim lightweight title
- Henry Cejudo v Dominick Cruz - bantamweight title
- Francis Ngannou v Jair Rozenstruik - heavyweights
- Calvin Kattar v Jeremy Stephens – featherweights
- Greg Hardy v Yorgan De Castro – heavyweights
- Donald Cerrone v Anthony Pettis – welterweights
- Vicente Luque v Niko Price - welterweights
- Fabricio Werdum v Aleksei Oleinik – heavyweights
- Ronaldo Souza v Uriah Hall – middleweights
- Carla Esparza v Michelle Waterson - women's straw weights
- Bryce Mitchell v Charles Rosa – featherweights
- Ryan Spann v Sam Alvey - light heavyweights
How to watch in UAE
Fight fans can watch the action through UFC Arabia app.
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When Khabib made his triumphant return to UFC in Abu Dhabi
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
match info
Maratha Arabians 138-2
C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
