The UFC returns on Sunday with its first pay-per-view event since last month’s UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. The headline bout at UFC 258, the long-awaited clash between welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, marks the first of six title fights in the next six weeks for the promotion. Here’s a look at the UFC’s upcoming 'golden' stretch.
Kamaru Usman v Gilbert Burns, UFC 258 (Feb 14)
What a way to kick off the championship run. Riding a 16-fight win streak (12 in the UFC), Usman hasn’t lost in almost eight years, is ranked fifth in the pound-for-pound standings and has looked supreme against elite opponents in his past three victories.
However, in Burns he takes on not only the No 1-ranked contender, but a former teammate and close friend, who knows better than most what it will take to dish out a first defeat. This was originally supposed to headline the inaugural Fight Island series in Abu Dhabi in July last year, but Burns contracted Covid-19. Finally, two of the most talented welterweights in the world will square off.
Jan Blachowicz v Israel Adesanya, UFC 259 (Mar 7)
He may have fought as recently as September, in his dazzling and dominant victory against the previously unbeaten Paulo Costa in Abu Dhabi, but Adesanya's return can be described still as "much-anticipated", such is the unbeaten middleweight champion's skill set and profile.
Add to that that Adesanya, whose pro record stands at 20-0, is moving up for the first time to light-heavyweight in a bid to become a double champ – only the UFC’s seventh in history – only heightens the expectation. In Blachowicz, though, he faces a serious roadblock in his quest for "double champ" status. The powerful Pole was superb in his Abu Dhabi victory against Dominick Reyes in September. A win would hint at a lengthy reign.
Amanda Nunes v Megan Anderson, UFC 259
The greatest female fighter in the history of mixed martial arts returns to defend one of her two titles – this time with the featherweight crown up for grabs. Nunes has not fought since last June's victory against Felicia Spencer, and in that time has become a mother. How parenthood affects her preparations, and fight-game perspective, adds an intriguing layer to the bout with Anderson.
The Australian, meanwhile, is the heavy underdog, a former Invicta FC champion who rebounded from defeat to Spencer in 2019 to put together a two-fight win streak. Patently, Anderson needs to be at the top of her game to stand a chance in this rescheduled December clash.
Petr Yan v Aljamain Sterling, UFC 259
A hugely competitive bantamweight title encounter makes up the championship bouts at UFC 259, with Yan aiming to defend the belt he won in devastating fashion in Abu Dhabi last July. There, the Russian dominated Jose Aldo to take the vacant strap – and lift his win streak to 10. Yan has not fought since, although the match-up with Sterling was initially scheduled for December.
The American sits as the division’s No 1 contender, and hasn’t been beaten in his past five outings; his last victory, in June, was by first-round submission against the since-impressive Cody Sandhagen. Both fighters are known for their high output, which should make for an explosive encounter.
Stipe Miocic v Francis Ngannou, UFC 260 (Mar 28)
A rematch of the first meeting in 2018, when Miocic brought to a halt Ngannou's 10-fight win streak (none of which had made it past the second round). Now, the American perches proudly as the greatest heavyweight in MMA history having seen off old foe Daniel Cormier in their trilogy bout last August.
Ngannou, though, has rebuilt his career following the initial defeat, with his four victories since each lasting no longer than 71 seconds. What is more, all arrived against formidable opponents.
Will Miocic have his measure again, when he wrestled his way to a unanimous decision? Or can Ngannou’s incredible punch power resonate? A lot has changed in the three years since their first face-off.
Alexander Volkanovski v Brian Ortega, UFC 260
The last of the six-week title run, this should not disappoint. Volkanovski rides a 19-fight win streak, including the two tussles with Max Holloway, where he secured the featherweight belt then defended it. The latter, in Abu Dhabi in July, went once more to the judges, with the Australian emerging victorious by split decision. That many thought Holloway actually won that fight remains a bone of contention for the champion.
Ortega counts his loss to Holloway in 2018 as his only professional blemish, but responded emphatically in October after 20 months out to dominate Chan Sung Jung in Abu Dhabi. With Volkanovski’s accuracy and Ortega’s incredible stand-up on display for the first time against “The Korean Zombie”, this promises fireworks.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20flat-six%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E525hp%20(GT3)%2C%20500hp%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E465Nm%20(GT3)%2C%20450Nm%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh944%2C000%20(GT3)%2C%20Dh581%2C700%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
