UFC 267: Blachowicz, Yan, Makhachev, Chimaev and must-see bouts in Abu Dhabi

The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this week, with UFC 267 on Saturday night. Headlined by two title bouts, we give the lowdown on five of the standout fights on the stellar card at Etihad Arena.

Jan Blachowicz (c) v Glover Teixeira (light-heavyweight title)

The powerful Pole returns to the scene of his title triumph last September, when he defeated Dominick Reyes via second-round TKO in Abu Dhabi for the vacant strap. Blachowicz (28-6) has since defended his crown once, in March, when he inflicted middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s first pro MMA defeat.

In Teixeira, he’s taking on the division’s No 1-ranked challenger, and a long-time title hopeful. The Brazilian (32-7) may be 41 now but, like Blachowicz, he rides a five-fight win streak – with two victories against former title contenders. Still, it’s been seven years since Teixeira last competed for UFC gold.

Blachowicz heads into the match-up as undoubtedly the favourite, as he looks to cement his position as the division’s king in the post Jon Jones era. A five-rounder given the belt is on the line, few will expect this to go the distance considering the respective arsenals.

Petr Yan v Cory Sandhagen (interim bantamweight title)

Initially slated for an immediate chance to reclaim the bantamweight title, Yan must make do for now with contesting the interim strap. Aljamain Sterling’s withdrawal last month through injury was unfortunate – Yan claims it was expected – and so Sandhagen stepped in. Yan (15-2) was enjoying a 10-fight win steak before he was disqualified in March for an intentional illegal knee against Sterling and thus relinquished the title he clinched against Jose Aldo in Abu Dhabi in July last year.

Sandhagen, meanwhile, should not be underestimated: the American (14-3) landed an astonishing flying knee to KO Frankie Edgar in February, only to lose an extremely close split-decision in July to former champ TJ Dillishaw. Has fond Abu Dhabi memories also, when last October he landed an incredible second-round spinning wheel kick and punches TKO against Marlon Moraes. A genuine Fight of the Night contender.

Islam Makhachev, right, during his lightweight bout with Davi Ramos at UFC 242 on September 7, 2019 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National
Davi Ramos throws a punch at Islam Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev takes Davi Ramos down.
Islam Makhachev pounds Davi Ramos.
Islam Makhachev pounds Davi Ramos.
Islam Makhachev wrestles Davi Ramos.
Davi Ramos kicks Islam Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev is declared the winner.

Islam Makhachev v Dan Hooker (lightweight)

One of the night’s most eagerly anticipated bouts pits against one another arguably the promotion’s hottest prospect and a hugely talented title contender. Makhachev (20-1) is being tipped widely as lightweight champion at some point in 2022, no great surprise given he has won his past eight bouts. In fact, his only pro loss arrived five years ago. An elite grappler, the Dagestan native is viewed as heir apparent to teammate and now coach Khabib Nurmagomedov, and comes into the clash on the back of July’s submission win against Thiago Moises. Has competed in Abu Dhabi previously, defeating Davi Ramos in September 2019.

Hooker, though, offers his sternest test to date. The New Zealander (21-10) accepted the bout days after his fine victory against Nasrat Haqparast on September 25, much to his immense credit. Hooker’s striking is supreme, and he will no doubt be looking to avenge his Abu Dhabi loss in January to Michael Chandler.

Khamzat Chimaev celebrates after his TKO victory over Rhys McKee in their welterweight fight on Fight Island in July 26. Zuffa LLC
Khamzat Chimaev improved his MMA record to 8-0. John McAuley / The National
Khamzat Chimaev punches Rhys McKee. Getty
Khamzat Chimaev takes down John Phillips in their middleweight bout on Fight Island, also in July. Getty
Khamzat Chimaev of Czechia secures choke submission against John Phillips. Getty
Khamzat Chimaev and John Phillips face off on Yas Island. Getty

Li Jingliang v Khamzat Chimaev (welterweight)

There is an argument to say Chimaev’s return - finally - could be the most intriguing subplot of the night. The Chechen-born athlete was perhaps the biggest breakout star of 2020, when he debuted in the UFC at the inaugural Fight Island in Abu Dhabi and then set a record for winning again 10 days later – also in the capital. Chimaev (9-0) won once more, 17 seconds into his Las Vegas bow, before he contracted Covid-19 and his fast-rising career stalled dramatically. At one point, Chimaev publicly suggested retirement.

On Saturday, he faces his first ranked opponent in the promotion, with No 11 contender Li coming off a stunning knockout win against Santiago Ponzinibbio in Abu Dhabi in January. The Chinese star (18-6) will be seeking to break into the top 10 in the welterweight standings, and knows a statement success against the much-hyped Chimaev will see his profile skyrocket.

Magomed Ankalaev v Volkan Oezdemir (light heavyweight)

A potential light-heavyweight blockbuster kicks off the main card. In Ankalaev, the division has one of its most intriguing athletes, even if his defeat on UFC debut to Paul Craig in March 2018 halted some serious momentum. Since, the Russian (15-1) has gone on a tear, winning on his past six outings – including a quick-fire KO of Ion Cutelaba in Abu Dhabi last October. Three of those fights were awarded Performance of the Night bonuses.

Oezdemir, though, represents a hefty challenge. The robust Swiss (17-5) has not competed since losing to hyped debutant Jiri Prochazka in Abu Dhabi, but he is a former title challenger with victories against skilled combatants in the likes of Aleksander Rakic and Ilir Latifi. Previous to those, Oezdemir went up against stud rivals in then-champion Daniel Cormier, Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes. He has finished 13 of his 17 wins. Fireworks are anticipated.

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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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.”

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.

FIGHT%20CARD

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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

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Thanksgiving meals to try

World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.

Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.

The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.

Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Company%20Profile

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