The UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi this month is further proof of the capital’s ability to stage major global events with fans in attendance, said the Department of Culture and Tourism, as the emirate continues to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.
UFC 267, the first event in Abu Dhabi since January that features the world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion, takes place at Etihad Arena on October 30. Headlined by two title bouts, it marks the conclusion to a second Abu Dhabi Showdown Week.
The UFC’s most recent visit to the capital, a third Fight Island series comprising three fight nights, was open to a limited number of spectators at Etihad Arena, representing the first time the organisation had held an event in front of a live audience since March last year.
The allocated capacity at the Yas Island venue has been increased for UFC 267 in line with government guidelines, with the original batch of tickets selling out last month in less than two weeks. More seats have since been made available.
The UFC 267 card is topped by Polish champion Jan Blachowicz’s light-heavyweight defence against Glover Teixeira.
Speaking to The National, Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, executive director of Tourism and Marketing, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “UFC coming back to Abu Dhabi is another special milestone for the UAE capital, underlining our capability to host major global events with fans in attendance.
"Abu Dhabi is the international home of UFC, and we are honoured to welcome our longstanding partners back to the UAE capital once again.
“It’s really exciting to see the return of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week [ADSW] for a second edition. The week-long festival of entertainment and lifestyle events presents an opportunity to really reconnect with UFC fans, eventgoers, UAE residents and visitors, ring-fenced by our proven health and safety protocols to ensure the wellbeing of all parties.
“As Abu Dhabi gradually reopens to welcome tourists once again, ADSW will allow fans to witness the thrill of a live event."
In April 2019, DCT Abu Dhabi announced a five-year partnership with the UFC to stage one major event each year through to 2023, although the capital soon became the promotion’s international base during the pandemic.
The inaugural Fight Island was held in July last year, comprising four events, with Abu Dhabi staging eight more within the next six months.
“Abu Dhabi’s ability to continue welcoming UFC fighters from around the world to a safe and secure environment to compete is evidenced by the previous editions of Fight Island,” Al Shaiba said. “When the world was at a stand-still, the innovation and cooperation between our organisation and UFC really came to the fore.
“Our current partnership with UFC is now in its third year and it has been one of most successful ventures in recent years. Having welcomed fans to the Etihad Arena for UFC 257 in January, it is really exciting to be able to host even more fans at our state-of-the-art venue for UFC 267 on October 30.
“Abu Dhabi Showdown Week will help cement the UAE capital’s position as the international fight capital of the world.”
Asked how soon after October 30 fans in the UAE could expect another UFC event, Al Shaiba said simply: "The newly built Etihad Arena… is the international home of UFC, and Abu Dhabi is ready to host UFC events in a safe environment.
"Previous UFC events and now the second edition of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week have further strengthened the DCT Abu Dhabi-UFC partnership. UFC is always welcome in Abu Dhabi, and we will see more events in 2022 and beyond.”
Al Shaiba stated also that "DCT Abu Dhabi and UFC always strive to bring fans the best events featuring the biggest names, and we will continue doing the same in UFC 267 and beyond".
In August, UFC president Dana White announced he had “massive and major” long-term plans for Abu Dhabi. However, he is yet to make those public.
While not directly referencing White's vision for UFC and the capital, Al Shaiba said: “DCT Abu Dhabi is backing the ambitious plans to make the UAE capital the global hub of mixed martial arts [MMA]. Abu Dhabi has become synonymous with world-class cultural and sports events, and the successful hosting of recent UFC events is just the latest sign of the UAE capital’s capabilities to host major global events.
“The partnership between DCT Abu Dhabi and UFC will further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s mission to become the global capital of MMA.”
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
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Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
