The UFC middleweight title bout between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa has been set for September 26, with Abu Dhabi believed to be front-runner to host.
The world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion announced the UFC 253 headliner during Sunday morning’s UFC 252, where Stipe Miocic retained his heavyweight belt to close out his trilogy with Daniel Cormier.
Although the location for Adesanya-Costa has yet to be confirmed, it seems likely to kick-start another Fight Island run for the UFC in the UAE capital following last month’s inaugural series.
Hugely successful, the initial Fight Island featured four events at Flash Forum across a 15-day period, beginning with UFC 251 on July 12.
Asked directly following UFC 252 whether he could confirm where Adesanya-Costa would take place, UFC president Dana White replied: “Not yet.”
However, Abu Dhabi appears most obvious. White told The National last month that the capital would host all of the sport's major title bouts featuring international fighters as the UFC continues to stage high-profile events during the coronavirus pandemic.
In the same interview, White said the next Fight Island would provide the setting for the upcoming unification bout between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim title-holder Justin Gaethje. That encounter has since been confirmed for October 24 (October 25 in the UAE), although once more the location has not been made public.
When asked by The National on Sunday about Adesanya-Costa opening the second Fight Island series in Abu Dhabi – the event would fall on September 27 in the UAE – local organisers said nothing had been confirmed on their side.
Irrespective of where UFC 253 plays out, White expects the headline encounter to live up to its blockbuster billing. Both champion Adesanya and No 2-ranked contender Costa are unbeaten, with the Nigerian-born New Zealander boasting a 19-0 professional record. His Brazilian opponent, meanwhile, sits at 13-0.
The pair, slated to meet earlier this year only for Costa to withdraw through injury, have been embroiled in a heated public rivalry outside the octagon.
“I don’t know what you guys think, but that’s fight of the year,” White said at Sunday's post-fight conference. “I’m very excited with what’s coming up in the fall. We have a ton of fun fights, and like I said, Adesanya versus Costa right now is the fight of the year. I predict that’s going to be an incredibly badass fight.
“Stylistically, it’s the perfect fight. If you look at the way Costa fights, he puts pressure on you, stays in your face the whole time. Adesanya likes to stay on the outside and pick you apart.
“It matches up really, really well. Both guys are animals. Both guys want this fight really bad. That fight’s going to be an absolute war.”
White said last week that he envisages the next Fight Island to take place across "five or six weeks". Designed primarily to allow the UFC's international athletes to compete during the pandemic, Fight Island is considered an “extension” of the five-year deal signed last year between the promotion and Abu Dhabi.
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
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UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
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