Former UFC lightweight Alex da Silva has promised “fireworks” when he meets the undefeated UAE Warriors champion Amru Magomedov at the ADNEC Centre in Al Ain on Saturday.
The Brazilian enters the cage as the more experienced fighter with a 24-5 (win/loss) record against Magomedov who is undefeated in eight fights, in the headline contest of the 14-fight card staged for the first time in the Oasis city.
“Technically, my opponent and I are big martial arts lovers. So, I'm sure we're going to put some fireworks on the night,” Da Silva said of his meeting with Magomedov at UAE Warriors 58.
“He has never been tested as hard as I'm going to do with him, so for sure, I'll bring some hard time to him and let's see what happens.”
Da Silva’s debut in the promotion ended in defeat to Russia's Makkasharip Zaynukov in a split decision in March 2023. The Brazilian has won twice since then to earn a title contest against Magomedov.
Magomedov, 25, has had only eight career fights but has gone undefeated and is also on the back of three successive victories including two defences of the UAE Warriors belt.
Many think an experienced fighter like Da Silva, who has 29 fights including four appearances in the UFC, would be the ultimate test.
“He is a strong and experienced opponent. I never underestimate him. I trained hard all month. I will show him on Saturday evening,” said Magomedov.
The Dagestani is widely regarded as a fighter following in the pathway of the UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. Magomedov is another Dagestani fighter to emerge from the Khabib school.
He is a teammate and training partner of the former undefeated UFC lightweight champion’s cousin Usman Nurmagomedov and trains under the same coach Javier Mendes.
When asked if he spars with Khabib back home in Dagestan, Magomedov said: “I wrestle with him at times, not spar. Many of us look at Khabib as our role model and his presence alongside is enough to motivate us.
“Also, we have some of the best wrestling schools in the world back home in Dagestan. This is why the Dagestani fighters are some of the best MMA fighters in the world circuit.”
However, Da Silva countered Magomedov’s claim by saying the rivalry between the Russian and Brazilian fighters was increasing in momentum, but insisted the South American nation has been dominating the MMA world for long time.
“We are the country with more belts, more champions, so I'm going to take the belt on Saturday and prove that Brazil is better in MMA,” he added.
Rany Sadeh (14-4) takes on the UAE Warriors debutant Hikaru Yoshino (13-5) in the co-main at bantamweight, while Brazilian Victor Nunes (10-5) faces Filipino Genil Francisco (14-10) in the flyweight division on the main card.
Also on the main card are some close battles, including between Uzbek Akbarjon Islomboev (9-1) and Daan Duijs (10-2) of the Netherlands, Russian Gadzhi Abdulkadirov (5-1) and Brazilian Michel Goes (4-0) at heavyweight and Annie Thatcher (3-1) of Australia against Brazilian Claudia Leite (8-3).
MATCH INFO
BRIGHTON 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
McTominay 44'
Mata 73'
Pogba 80'
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
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MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
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MATCH INFO
Norwich City 1 (Cantwell 75') Manchester United 2 (Aghalo 51' 118') After extra time.
Man of the match Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Saudi National Day
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
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UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
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Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The burning issue
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The national orchestra
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UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
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Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
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Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
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1999 - 1st round
2000 - 1st round
2001 - Quarter-finalist
2002 - 1st round
2003 - Winner
2004 - Winner
2005 - Winner
2006 - Winner
2007 - Winner
2008 - Finalist
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2010 - Quarter-finalist
2011 - Quarter-finalist
2012 - Winner
2013 - 2nd round
2014 - Finalist
2015 - Finalist
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
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The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Greenwood 77')
Everton 1 (Lindelof 36' og)
India squads
Test squad against Afghanistan: Rahane (c), Dhawan, Vijay, Rahul, Pujara, Karun, Saha, Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Umesh, Shami, Pandya, Ishant, Thakur.
T20 squad against Ireland and England: Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rohit, Rahul, Raina, Pandey, Dhoni, Karthik, Chahal, Kuldeep, Sundar, Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah, Pandya, Kaul, Umesh.
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RACE RESULTS
1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps
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Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
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