The UFC rounds off its second Fight Island series in Abu Dhabi on October 24 with arguably the most anticipated match-up of the year, when Khabib Nurmagomedov returns, finally, to the octagon. Here’s the details.
What is it?
UFC 254, the next pay-per-view instalment in the world's lead mixed martial arts promotion. The event is the final of five on "Return to Fight Island", the UFC's second residency in the capital, which follows on from July's hugely successful inaugural run.
For the first time in more than five years, the UFC put together a main card featuring six bouts, headlined by undefeated champion Nurmagomedov's lightweight unification clash with Justin Gaethje.
The Fight Island concept was created in response to the coronavirus crisis, allowing the UFC’s international athletes to compete during the pandemic. The promotion has a strong relationship with Abu Dhabi, underlined by a five-year agreement signed last year between the two parties.
When is it?
October 24. The early prelims kick off at 6:15pm UAE time, the prelims at 8pm, and main card at 10pm.
Where is it?
Fight Island takes place inside a designated “safe zone” on Yas Island. The zone is open only to fighters, coaches, UFC staff and other personnel deemed necessary to the operation.
UFC 254 will be staged at Flash Forum, the temporary venue used throughout both series thus far.
Local organisers had considered permitting a limited amount of fans into the event, however, in accordance with public health guidelines, no spectators will attend.
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Khabib on 'warrior' Gaethje
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Who is fighting?
Nurmagomedov tops the bill in his title bout with interim title-holder Gaethje. The Dagestan native, whose professional record reads 28-0, has not fought since September last year, when he defeated Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi.
Gaethje, meanwhile, is considered by many to pose the greatest challenge to Nurmagomedov's unblemished record. The American, known as "The Highlight", set up the meeting by dominating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May, prevailing by TKO in the fifth round.
Also on the main card, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier go head-to-head, in a battle that could give the victor a title shot at the division's current belt-holder, Israel Adesanya. Whittaker and Cannonier are ranked the middleweight's No 1 and No 3 contenders, respectively. Whittaker competed at the inaugural Fight Island, where he defeated Darren Till on points.
Other notable names in action include heavyweight Alexander Volkov, who takes on Walt Harris. Umar Nurmagomedov - cousin to Khabib - and teammate Islam Makhachev were scheduled to fight, but Umar Nurmagomedov had to withdraw through illness while Makhachev’s opponent, Rafael Dos Anjos, pulled out having tested positive for Covid-19.
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Gaethje prepared for 'biggest fight of my life' at UFC 254
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Latest Card *subject to change
Main
Khabib Nurmagomedov v Justin Gaethje
Robert Whittaker v Jared Cannonier
Alexander Volkov v Walt Harris
Jacob Malkoun v Phillip Hawes
Lauren Murphy v Liliva Shakirova
Magomed Ankalaev v Ion Cutelaba
Prelims
Stefan Struve v Tai Tuivasa
Alex Oliveira v Shavkat Rahkmonov
Da-un Ung v Sam Alvey
Early prelims
Early Prelims
Sergey Morozov v TBA
Liana Jojua v Miranda Maverick
Nathaniel Wood v Casey Kenney
Joel Alvarez v Alexander Yakovlev
How to watch in UAE
Fight fans can watch all the action through the UFC Arabia app, while AD Sports TV will provide prelims coverage.
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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.”
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Dubai Creek Open in numbers
- The Dubai Creek Open is the 10th tournament on this year's Mena Tour
- It is the first of five events before the season-concluding Mena Tour Championship
- This week's field comprises 120 players, 21 of which are amateurs
- 15 previous Mena Tour winners are competing at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
