• Islam Makhachev submits Dan Hooker in their lightweight bout at UFC 267 at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on October 30, 2021. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Islam Makhachev submits Dan Hooker in their lightweight bout at UFC 267 at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on October 30, 2021. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov, left, celebrates the win with his fighter Islam Makhachev.
    Khabib Nurmagomedov, left, celebrates the win with his fighter Islam Makhachev.
  • Dan Hooker, right, throws a punch at Islam Makhachev. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dan Hooker, right, throws a punch at Islam Makhachev. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Islam Makhachev, top, wrestles Dan Hooker on his way to victory at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Islam Makhachev, top, wrestles Dan Hooker on his way to victory at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Islam Makhachev, top, wrestles Dan Hooker on his way to victory at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Islam Makhachev, top, wrestles Dan Hooker on his way to victory at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Islam Makhachev speaks at the press conference ahead of his bout at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi in October 2021. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Islam Makhachev speaks at the press conference ahead of his bout at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi in October 2021. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates the win with his fighter Islam Makhachev. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates the win with his fighter Islam Makhachev. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Islam Makhachev, left, takes down Dan Hooker. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Islam Makhachev, left, takes down Dan Hooker. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Islam Makhachev celebrates.
    Islam Makhachev celebrates.
  • Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates the win with his fighter Islam Makhachev. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates the win with his fighter Islam Makhachev. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Islam Makhachev: After I finish Green, UFC is going to give me a title fight in Abu Dhabi


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Last-minute change in opponent or not, Islam Makhachev has his path all planned out: defeat Bobby Green in Las Vegas this weekend and then capture the UFC lightweight crown in Abu Dhabi.

“I really believe that after this fight, when I finish Bobby Green, they are going to give me title fight in Abu Dhabi,” Makhachev told The National via Zoom from his hotel room late on Wednesday.

“I’m going to tell the UFC and [president] Dana [White] and everybody that, ‘Hey, this is my 10-fight win streak. I deserve the title fight’. I’m going to be in Abu Dhabi, waiting for the champion there.”

Makhachev, whose professional record reads 21-1, certainly seems the most obvious challenger for the belt once current champion Charles Oliveira takes on No 1-ranked contender Justin Gaethje. That bout is expected for UFC 274 in May.

The division’s No 4 challenger, Makhachev rides a nine-fight win streak, his most recent victory the first-round submission of Dan Hooker at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi last October. On Sunday morning UAE time, the Dagestan native faces Green in the headliner at UFC Fight Night at the promotion’s Apex.

Green fought only last week, dominating Nasrat Haqparast to record a second win on the bounce. The American, 29-12 in pro MMA, is a late replacement for Beneil Dariush, the No 3-ranked contender who suffered an injury in training last week. Green is known primarily for his striking; Dariush his ground game.

A supreme wrestler in his own right, Makhachev said the 11th-hour switch isn’t cause for concern.

“I’m always looking to finish my opponent,” he said. “That’s why it doesn’t matter who my opponent is. I don’t train one month, two months, for some opponent. All my life I’m training hard for any fighter. That’s why it doesn’t matter when they change opponent. Just give me fight, give me opponent, and that’s it.

“Bobby Green has very good boxing. And I’m going to check his wrestling and grappling skills.”

Makhachev, 30, said he was “very sad” that Dariush withdrew and that he anticipates they will fight in future – "maybe not this year, but very soon" – but he also credited Green for stepping up on short notice (as such, the bout takes place at a catchweight 160lbs).

Especially, Makhachev said, when several others would not.

“Of course,” he said. “I respect him a lot because he made this fight happen, he took this fight to make some money. I just want to help him make some money.

“First, I asked who all from the top 10 is free, I ask all these guys. I told my manager to call them. He called everybody, but nobody answered.

“I don’t want to say they were scared or something like this, because this is just 10 days before the fight. But always I have problem to fight with someone from top 10.”

Green, meanwhile, is not ranked.

  • 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
    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.
    Davi Ramos throws a punch at Islam Makhachev.
  • Islam Makhachev takes Davi Ramos down.
    Islam Makhachev takes Davi Ramos down.
  • Islam Makhachev pounds Davi Ramos.
    Islam Makhachev pounds Davi Ramos.
  • Islam Makhachev pounds Davi Ramos.
    Islam Makhachev pounds Davi Ramos.
  • Islam Makhachev wrestles Davi Ramos.
    Islam Makhachev wrestles Davi Ramos.
  • Davi Ramos kicks Islam Makhachev.
    Davi Ramos kicks Islam Makhachev.
  • Islam Makhachev is declared the winner.
    Islam Makhachev is declared the winner.

“I know this guy’s not from the top of my division,” Makhachev said. “As I told you, he just wants to make some money. He fought only one week ago, he doesn’t have injuries or anything - that’s why he jumped to the fight.

“But other guys always run. Soon I’m going to take the belt and they’ll have to challenge me.”

Makhachev-Dariush was considered a title eliminator. However, with the latter pulling out, there have been suggestions that Conor McGregor could be next in line once he recovers from injury. The Irishman, a former two-division champion, broke his leg in last summer’s defeat to Dustin Poirier - his second successive loss to the American and third overall in his past four UFC appearances.

“You remember when McGregor won some fight?” Makhachev said, smiling. “If you remember, tell me. Because I don’t remember, too. I know I’m going to fight for the title. Because 10-fight win streak, this is key for title fight.”

Get past Green on Sunday, and Makhachev will be a particularly interested observer in Oliveira's title defence against Gaethje. The Brazilian rides a 10-fight win streak already.

“I think Charles is going to finish Justin,” Makhachev said. “They’re going to strike for a little bit, but I think he’s going to take him down, take his back and finish him.

“And 10-fight win streak versus 11-fight win streak is going to be a big fight, for the UFC and all my fans.”

Oliveira versus Makhachev at Etihad Arena – the latter has fought twice in Abu Dhabi, including UFC 242 in September 2019 – clearly whets the appetite.

“Of course,” Makhachev said. “I really want this. Because all the arena in Abu Dhabi, this is my people, and the arena will be full. This is a big support, when the whole arena is with you.

“This is perfect. [Abu Dhabi] is the best location for me. Because, for me, the hospitality in Abu Dhabi is No 1. I have everything there. They give me a very good gym, everything for the training camp.

“I can bring a lot of my sparring partners; all coaches and all my friends can come to Abu Dhabi. A lot of fans can come to support me.

“I just want to say thank you all my fans, all my brothers in Abu Dhabi, thank you for all the support. October or November we’re going to fight there. I know they have some event [planned]. See you there."

Straightforward ways to reduce sugar in your family's diet
  • Ban fruit juice and sodas
  • Eat a hearty breakfast that contains fats and wholegrains, such as peanut butter on multigrain toast or full-fat plain yoghurt with whole fruit and nuts, to avoid the need for a 10am snack
  • Give young children plain yoghurt with whole fruits mashed into it
  • Reduce the number of cakes, biscuits and sweets. Reserve them for a treat
  • Don’t eat dessert every day 
  • Make your own smoothies. Always use the whole fruit to maintain the benefit of its fibre content and don’t add any sweeteners
  • Always go for natural whole foods over processed, packaged foods. Ask yourself would your grandmother have eaten it?
  • Read food labels if you really do feel the need to buy processed food
  • Eat everything in moderation
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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

Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Mobile phone packages comparison
Williams at Wimbledon

Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)

Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)

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HEADLINE HERE
  • I would recommend writing out the text in the body 
  • And then copy into this box
  • It can be as long as you link
  • But I recommend you use the bullet point function (see red square)
  • Or try to keep the word count down
  • Be wary of other embeds lengthy fact boxes could crash into 
  • That's about it
Temple numbers

Expected completion: 2022

Height: 24 meters

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres  

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres

Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor 

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV

Power: 360bhp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh282,870

On sale: now

Updated: February 24, 2022, 3:45 PM