Dustin Poirier says he will draw on big-fight experience gleaned in Abu Dhabi when he attempts to finally become an undisputed UFC champion this weekend.
The former interim lightweight belt-holder, 32, takes on current champion Charles Oliveira in the headline bout at UFC 269, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas early Sunday (UAE time).
Poirier, whose professional record reads 28-6, goes into the hugely anticipated match-up on the back of three high-profile wins since losing his only other shot at the title, against Khabib Nurmagomedov, at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi in September 2019.
Rebounding with a brilliant victory against Dan Hooker in June last year, Poirier then put together back-to-back victories against Conor McGregor – the first of which secured in the UAE capital, at UFC 257 in January. The clash, sealed by second-round TKO at Etihad Arena, represented the first knockout loss of McGregor’s professional career. Poirier is ranked the division's No 1 contender.
Oliveira, meanwhile, rides a nine-fight win streak, including his lightweight coronation in May when he defeated Michael Chandler to land the crown vacated by the now-retired Nurmagomedov.
On how those headline bouts in Abu Dhabi could help going into UFC 269, Poirier said: “Travelling across the world has given me more experience in my fighting career, and the ability to be able to walk into these places and put on a performance.
“I would definitely come back to the UAE. I had a great time there; the people were nice – but knocking Conor McGregor out was the highlight.”
Then, speaking at the pre-event media day late Wednesday, Poirier said: “If I become world champion Saturday night, I’ve done it all in this sport, everything I’ve set out to do.
“I’ve set my family up, we’re in a good position financially; other businesses outside of fighting going on. I have to check that box. That’s for ever.
“I was saying 25 minutes to make life fair. This is 25 minutes for eternity. That’s what this is. You don’t take that away. Once a champion, always a champion. It’s very important for me and my wife. None of this was done in vain, regardless of what happens Saturday night. But it just cements everything.”
Oliveira-Poirier is one of two title fights at UFC 269, with double-champion Amanda Nunes defending her bantamweight belt against Julianna Pena in the co-main event.
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
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T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
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Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
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Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
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Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
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