UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has announced ambitious plans for a new gym and competition in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UAE Warriors-14 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi on Friday, Khabib said he was working on multiple projects with the promotion, and how much he "loved the UAE".
Khabib retired from Mixed Martial Arts after his lightweight world title defence against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi in October, stretching his unbeaten record to 29.
He said he is keen to move on with plans that include the first Khabib Gym in Abu Dhabi next year and a competition in partnership with UAE Warriors to commemorate his late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, scheduled for January 16.
“I’m working on many projects and Abu Dhabi is one of the main partners. It’s not only my projects but I’m ready to support Abu Dhabi in whatever projects they plan to do,” the Russian said.
“We already have agreed on the competition date and the plan is to launch the first Khabib Gym in Abu Dhabi before it’s introduced to the rest of the world.”
Khabib believes the Warriors can provide aspiring fighters with the opportunity to take part in the 10-15 bouts needed to reach UFC level.
“This region and the Middle East has huge potential (if the UAE Warriors want to build on),” he said.
“I know that because I have been travelling around this region and around the world.
“We have many projects, and next year if the pandemic is over or if it gets controlled, hopefully, we can even go places like New York and Vegas. If they need me, I’m there to support.”
Khabib considers Abu Dhabi not only as a hub for MMA but as one of the safest places on earth.
“I have travelled around the world everywhere and in my opinion this is most safe place besides being a combat sport hub,” he said.
“I really love the UAE, its people and the hospitality. For me it’s a big honour to always come back here.”
Khabib, 32, is determined to stay active despite ending his career in the octagon.
“If I finish fighting, it doesn’t mean that I have finished everything,” he added.
“I’m going to be here to support young guys and support good people. I work on many projects. You see (pointing at his attire); I am wearing this suit as I move around as a business-person.
“It’s going to be a very busy period for me. I don’t want to lose focus and my team to lose focus on the projects we are planning. I want to spend a lot of time in my business projects.”
Khabib also revealed his passion for football and as a follower of the Arabian Gulf League.
“I’m a big football fan and follow many different leagues as possible aside from the World Cup, European Cup,” he said.
“In my opinion football is at a different level than other sports. MMA promotion is going to be upset with me for making this comment but it is true.”
Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, chairman of Palms Sports who manage the UAE Warriors, said they were glad to have Khabib involved in their events and recognise his father’s contributions to the sport.
“Abu Dhabi is Khabib’s second home and we are looking forward to his continued support to our promotion,” he added.
Fouad Darwish, general manager of Palms Sports, said they have planned a series of projects with Khabib.
“The first is the commemoration of his late father,” he said. “The UAE Warriors and Khabib’s organisation will organise a fight-card together. For now, we don’t know if it’s going to be an annual one or a series of events, but that’s a start.”
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
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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