UFC 251: A collaboration in overcoming insurmountable obstacles


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Gilbert Burns’ misfortune proved Jorge Masvidal’s gain.

Perhaps the UFC’s too. Maybe even Abu Dhabi’s.

Burns withdrew at the weekend from UFC 251, this Sunday’s must-see opener to the cannot-miss Fight Island, which unwinds through four events and 14 dizzying days on an 11-kilometre, cordoned-off patch inside Yas Island.

Burns never made it to the capital's specifically created "safe zone", a hugely disappointing development for one of the UFC's emergent stars at a time the promotion pushed on through the coronavirus pandemic.

The Brazilian contracted Covid-19, the news confirmed not long before his flight from Las Vegas to the UAE. From an organisational perspective, it was evidence the Abu Dhabi side of the operation was right to insist upon rigorous safety protocols; still, it was heartbreaking for the welterweight division's No 1-ranked challenger. Burns' championship bout against Kamaru Usman, the title-holder and a teammate, constituted the greatest opportunity of his career to date.

But, much like it has done through the trunk of the pandemic, when live sport ground understandably to a halt, the UFC ploughs on. Masvidal was a swift and somewhat sensational stand-in, the headline-grabbing American a more than enthusiastic public rival to Usman for much of the year. Even Masvidal's high-prolife pay dispute with the UFC proved not too baulky a barrier to overcome.

With his confirmation on Monday came further endorsement of the flourishing relationship between the world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion and Abu Dhabi. A five-year agreement was penned in April last year, long before the coronavirus began to take hold, but for Dana White to move so decisively to book Masvidal conveys his regard for the emirate.

Of course, the UAE capital has gone to great expense, both financially and in resources, to first land Fight Island and then to stage it. However, this month's fight festival provides dual appeal: it strengthens Abu Dhabi's burgeoning reputation as a hub for elite MMA, while also showcasing its emergence from the coronavirus crisis. If an enterprise this substantial can be carried off, then other global events - not solely sporting - can look towards its shores as a host destination, as well.

Focusing purely on the sporting aspect, Usman versus Masvidal is a sizeable cherry on an already impressive combat cake. Yes, Burns’ predicament is regrettable and the priority remains for him and his team who too tested positive to emerge unscathed on the other side. There is hope that, when he does, Burns will soon be given another shot at the big time.

Masvidal, though, is box office. He brings a certain swagger, the man ignored for too lengthy a period, who possesses dynamite in his fists and a Tony Montana shtick that broadens his attraction beyond the octagon. As his moniker suggests, Masvidal is bred for the game. And he plays it so well.

Usman, a champion of serious substance, now stands across from someone with whom he shares a genuine enmity; this is not Burns, a sparring partner and stable mate who promised to share a post-fight drink on Sunday, irrespective of the outcome.

How that plays into Usman’s psyche simply adds another delicious layer to UFC 251 and to Fight Island overall. It is a box-office bout that heads two other title clashes and a couple of rematches that whet the appetite.

In Alexander Volkanovski against Max Holloway, one of 2019's most memorable tussles gets another airing, the former looking to shield his featherweight belt from the man he claimed it from in December. Beforehand, Jose Aldo, a veritable UFC great, meets Petr Yan, the explosive, 6-and-0 Russian who hasn't hung around since his UFC debut two years ago. The pair battle for the vacant bantamweight crown.

Then there's the rematch between Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade, who clashed in May last year but were then kept apart by circumstances out of their control back in April. It is highly anticipated. It promises to live up to its billing.

Much, you’d expect, like UFC 251 in all; Fight Island, more generally. Masvidal’s 11th-hour reprieve was a masterstroke, magnifying the inaugural series' magnetism. If Khabib Nurmgomedov stood tall last September as the fighting face of UFC 242, an affirmation of this landmark new deal with Abu Dhabi, then its follow-up event, however unexpected, gleams with one of the marquee match-ups the sport has to offer.

There have been months of planning and extensive precautions taken, with an estimated 10,000 Covid-19 tests to this point administered among the 2,000-plus people inside the safe zone. The effort has been considered, considerable. The opening buzzer goes early on Sunday. From there, the four events and the 14 days of high-calibre competition are sure to be worth the endeavour.

School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk

“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”

“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”

“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”

“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”

PRISCILLA
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

Don't get fined

The UAE FTA requires following to be kept:

  • Records of all supplies and imports of goods and services
  • All tax invoices and tax credit notes
  • Alternative documents related to receiving goods or services
  • All tax invoices and tax credit notes
  • Alternative documents issued
  • Records of goods and services that have been disposed of or used for matters not related to business
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

'Nope'
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