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.
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20profile
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More on Quran memorisation:
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')
Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
Cracks in the Wall
Ben White, Pluto Press
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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more from Janine di Giovanni
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
