• Ray Borg reacts after winning the bantamweight contest against Jesse Arnett on the UAE Warriors 20 card at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, June 19, 2021. All photos courtesy: UAE Warriors
    Ray Borg reacts after winning the bantamweight contest against Jesse Arnett on the UAE Warriors 20 card at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, June 19, 2021. All photos courtesy: UAE Warriors
  • Ray Borg, in red, has Jesse Arnett pinned to the canvas in the UAE Warriors 20 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi.
    Ray Borg, in red, has Jesse Arnett pinned to the canvas in the UAE Warriors 20 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi.
  • Ray Borg lands a high kick on Jesse Arnett in the UAE Warriors 20 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi.
    Ray Borg lands a high kick on Jesse Arnett in the UAE Warriors 20 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi.
  • Ray Borg receives his award from Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, chairman of Palms Sports, at the UAE Warriors 20 event in Abu Dhabi.
    Ray Borg receives his award from Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, chairman of Palms Sports, at the UAE Warriors 20 event in Abu Dhabi.
  • Martun Mezhlumyan lands one on Attila Korkmaz, left, en route to win the lightweight bout on the UAE Warriors 20 card.
    Martun Mezhlumyan lands one on Attila Korkmaz, left, en route to win the lightweight bout on the UAE Warriors 20 card.
  • A high knee from Daniel Skibinski was enough to end the welterweight contest against Acoidan Duque in the UAE Warriors 20 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena.
    A high knee from Daniel Skibinski was enough to end the welterweight contest against Acoidan Duque in the UAE Warriors 20 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena.
  • Carolina Jimenez has Lucrezia Ria in a rear naked choke in the female lightweight bout on the UAE Warriors 20 card at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena.
    Carolina Jimenez has Lucrezia Ria in a rear naked choke in the female lightweight bout on the UAE Warriors 20 card at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena.
  • Carolina Jimenez celebrates her win over Lucrezia Ria in the UAE Warriors 20, organised by Palm Sports.
    Carolina Jimenez celebrates her win over Lucrezia Ria in the UAE Warriors 20, organised by Palm Sports.
  • Handesson Ferreira lands a kick on Amiran Gogoladze on course to victory in their welterweight contest at the UAE Warriors 20.
    Handesson Ferreira lands a kick on Amiran Gogoladze on course to victory in their welterweight contest at the UAE Warriors 20.
  • John Mitchell, centre, celebrates his victory over Arbi Emiev in the UAE Warriors 20 with his team at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi.
    John Mitchell, centre, celebrates his victory over Arbi Emiev in the UAE Warriors 20 with his team at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi.
  • Bellator veteran fighter Gianni Melillo receives his award from Fouad Darwish, managing director of Palms Sports, after winning the middleweight bout against Mohammad Karaki at the UAE Warriors 20.
    Bellator veteran fighter Gianni Melillo receives his award from Fouad Darwish, managing director of Palms Sports, after winning the middleweight bout against Mohammad Karaki at the UAE Warriors 20.

Ray Borg opens new adventure with classy victory at UAE Warriors 20 in Abu Dhabi


Amith Passela
  • English
  • Arabic

RESULTS

Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO

Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke

Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke

Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO

Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision

Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision

Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO

Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)

Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)

Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision

Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke

Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO

Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision

Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision

Ray Borg turned a new chapter in his mixed martial arts career at UAE Warriors 20 nearly a year after being released by UFC.

The American showed he has not lost any of his fighting skills to emerge winner over Jesse Arnett with a unanimous decision at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Borg, 27, produced a fine all-round spectacle to score consistently from a range of punches, high kicks and takedowns to outclass the Canadian in the main bantamweight contest on the night.

“Thank you all. I was a bit tired as I had just three days to prepare because of the long travel but I am delighted with tonight’s performance and the result,” Borg said.

“I came here to stand-up against my opponent and to win. I’m very glad to have achieved that.

“I am now ready for my next opponent and then everybody will see what I can do in this promotion. The UAE Warriors is an excellent platform for me to get my MMA for a new beginning.”

Borg’s professional career started in 2012 and he was drafted to the UFC two years later. Returning to the action in more than a year, the “Tazmexican Devil’s” victory over Arnett stretched his career record to 14-5 (win/loss).

Borg went on the offensive from the outset. He forced Arnett to the canvas early in the first round but could not capitalise as the Canadian slipped out of the American’s grasp to get on his feet.

The former UFC title challenger was on top that round after scoring off a right hook immediately followed by a high kick, and then the takedown.

The Canadian’s face was bloodied in the second round as Borg forced his opponent to the canvas and started pounding to take that round too.

Arnett, 36, almost had Borg with a choke hold in round three but the American quickly slipped out and again forced his opponent down to the canvas to to end his career record at 18-7.

Armenian Martun Mezhlumyan scored a unanimous decision against Attila Korkmaz of Turkey and Poland’s Daniel Skibinski, with a flying knee, ended Spaniard Acoidan Duque’s resistance by TKO in the third round in the two main supporting contests in the 14-fight card.

Venezuelan Carolina Jimenez stretched her winning streak to 7-0 after ending Italian Lucrezia Ria with a rear naked choke in round one in the only contest for females.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Taika%20Waititi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Hemsworth%2C%20Natalie%20Portman%2C%20Christian%20Bale%2C%20Russell%20Crowe%2C%20Tessa%20Thompson%2C%20Taika%20Waititi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
LA LIGA FIXTURES

Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)

Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)

Friday

Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)

Valencia v Levante (midnight)

Saturday

Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)

Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)

Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)

Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)

Sunday

Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)

Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)

Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)

What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS

Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO

Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke

Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke

Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO

Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision

Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision

Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO

Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)

Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)

Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision

Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke

Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO

Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision

Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision