Islam Makhachev dismissed suggestions he is under huge pressure to perform at UFC 267 on Saturday, although he is seeking a statement victory against Dan Hooker in Abu Dhabi to cement his credentials as a lightweight title contender.
The Dagestan native, bidding for a ninth win on the bounce, takes on the dangerous New Zealander in one of the most eagerly anticipated bouts of the night at Etihad Arena.
Makhachev was originally slated to face Rafael Dos Anjos, yet the former champion was forced to withdraw last month because of injury. The division’s No 5-ranked challenger – Hooker is No 6 – Makhachev has not tasted defeated in five years – his solitary defeat in 21 professional bouts.
And, as a close friend and teammate of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is tipped by many as heir to the former belt-holder’s throne. He is also a firm fan’s favourite in Abu Dhabi and throughout the region, so expectation runs high.
“I’m not an amateur fighter,” Makhachev said on Wednesday. “This is not pressure. This is just support.
“All the arena is going to be full and all is going to be my people. That’s why I have to show the people a good performance.”
Win on Saturday, and calls will amplify for Makhachev to contest the title next. At present, Charles Oliveira holds the belt, and puts that on the line in December against No 1 contender, Dustin Poirier.
Asked about the need for an emphatic success at UFC 267, Makhachev said: “I know I have to finish Dan Hooker because I finish my last three opponent. I try to finish all my opponents. I have to show people, show the UFC how my level is. Because very soon I have to fight for the title. That’s why I’m going to try and finish him, everywhere.”
On Hooker’s skillset, where stand-up is his specialty compared to Makhachev’s expert ground game, Makhachev added: “Honestly I don’t see his wrestling, his grappling skills. But we will see. I’m going to check.
“I respect him because he took this fight. But other things…”
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
