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Steve Luckings

Steve Luckings

Sports Editor
Abu Dhabi
Steve is one of the of The National “originals”, arriving in Abu Dhabi in January 2008 to help launch the paper three months later. He has held a number of positions including online editor, page editor, senior sports editor and now sports editor. Steve has more than 15 years’ experience across a variety of media platforms. He writes comment and analysis on everything from football to rugby to boxing and is a regular guest on The National’s sport podcasts.
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Articles

England's Tom Aspinall, left, fight Ciryl Gane, of France, during the heavyweight title bout at the UFC mixed martial arts Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo / Altaf Qadri)
Tom Aspinall gives update after eye injury at UFC 321

Heavyweight champion was taken to hospital in Abu Dhabi after unintentional eye poke by Ciryl Gane on Saturday

Combat SportsOctober 27, 2025
Tom Aspinall's (union jack shorts) fight with Ciryl Gane (black shorts) for the heavyweight title is a no contest after an eye poke at UFC 321. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
White shares frustration of Abu Dhabi fans as Aspinall-Gane ends in a no-contest

Main event falls flat at Etihad Arena with champion unable to continue after eye poke

Combat SportsOctober 26, 2025
Mackenzie Dern celebrates her win over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dern fulfils her destiny as she claims UFC title in Abu Dhabi

'Dream come true' for Brazilian who edged out Virna Jandiroba in championship bout

Combat SportsOctober 26, 2025
Ciryl Gane, left, accidentally pokes Tom Aspinall in his eyes during an exchange at their headline bout at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
UFC 321: Aspinall v Gane declared a no-contest after accidental eye poke

Anti-climax in Abu Dhabi as main event is called off after incident in first round

Combat SportsOctober 25, 2025
Champ Tom Aspinall at the UFC Ceremonial weigh-in before his fight aganist Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title. UFC 321. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Aspinall and Gane weigh-in ahead of UFC 321 title fight in Abu Dhabi

UFC heavyweight champion faces Ciryl Gane in headline bout at Etihad Arena

Combat SportsOctober 24, 2025
UFC CEO and President Dana White. Chris Whiteoak / The National
ExclusiveAbu Dhabi isn't just about fights – it's part of our DNA, says UFC's Dana White

Fifteen years after first hosting the world's top MMA promotion, the UFC president says relationship with UAE capital continues to grow

Combat SportsOctober 24, 2025
Champion Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane face off during the press conference ahead of their title fight in the heavyweight division. UFC 321. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Gane 'working on something deep' for UFC title fight with Aspinall in Abu Dhabi

Frenchman faces heavyweight champion at Etihad Arena on Saturday

Combat SportsOctober 23, 2025
Mario Bautista ahead of the fight against Umar Nurmagomedov in the UFC 321 bantamweight division at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Bautista plans to shake up bantamweight division by knocking Nurmagomedov out

American predicts a first-round stoppage at Etihad Arena

Combat SportsOctober 23, 2025
Mackenzie Dern has already beaten Virna Jandiroba once in her MMA career, back in 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dern confident 'destiny is calling' for Abu Dhabi title fight with Jandiroba

Brazilian pair set to clash in strawweight bout at Etihad Arena on Saturday night

Combat SportsOctober 22, 2025
Tom Aspinall has never fought beyond the second round in 18 MMA bouts. Chris Whiteoak / The National
UFC 321: Aspinall dismisses Gane's 'deep waters' threat ahead of Abu Dhabi bout

Heavyweight champion takes on Frenchman at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Saturday

Combat SportsOctober 22, 2025
Umar Nurmagomedov, right, caused UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili plenty of problems earlier on during their bout at UFC 311 in California in January 2025. Getty Images
ExclusiveSilent assassin Umar Nurmagomedov back to make noise at UFC 321

Dangerous Dagestani faces fast-rising American Mario Bautista on the main card

Combat SportsOctober 22, 2025
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire celebrates his goal against Liverpool at Anfield. Getty Images
Haaland and Maguire lead by example: Premier League team of the week

Who makes this week's best XI?

FootballOctober 21, 2025
Tom Aspinall will defend his heavyweight title belt at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi where he faces Ciryl Gane. PA
Aspinall v Gane: UFC 321 fight card, times, and all you need to know

An action-packed week in store ahead of Saturday's fight night at Etihad Arena

Combat SportsOctober 17, 2025
Heaveyweight Hamdy Abdelwahab trains for his upcoming fight against Chris Barnett at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi later this month. Hamdy trains with coach and owner of Tripl3 MMA Milano Nahar. Tripl3 MMA, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Interview'Give me fights': Abdelwahab determined to make up for lost time at UFC 321

Egyptian heavyweight faces Chris Barnett in his third fight since suspension

Combat SportsOctober 17, 2025
Sultan Adill Alamiri of the UAE looks upset as the UAE loose 2-1 after the UAE's game against Qatar in the Asian Qualifiers, Road to 26. Jassim Bin Hamed Stadium, Doha, Qatar. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Can UAE still qualify for 2026 World Cup after losing to Qatar?

National team miss out on automatic qualification following 2-1 defeat in Doha

FootballOctober 15, 2025
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