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.
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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
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
More from UAE Human Development Report:
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
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
more from Janine di Giovanni
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Eriksen 80')
Inter Milan 0
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
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Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
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