UFC champion Anderson Silva, left, and Vitor Belfort during a press conference at Yas Island Hotel today.
UFC champion Anderson Silva, left, and Vitor Belfort during a press conference at Yas Island Hotel today.

Anderson Silva tops the UFC bill in Abu Dhabi



ABU DHABI // Some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts will appear in the capital in a competition to be hosted on Yas Island. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) organisers today unveiled details of the competition, which will come to the UAE in April. Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World concert arena on Yas Island will play host to two world title bouts and clashes between some of the toughest fighters in the UFC. The one-night competition on April 10 will be the first time that the billion-dollar UFC brand has arranged such an event in the Middle East. It will also be the first time that UFC fights, which are most often staged indoors, will be held in an outdoor arena.

The sport, which pits fighters trained in a combination of martial arts such as jiu-jitsu, karate and kickboxing, is now one of the most popular televised combat sports in the world and is beamed into around 430 million homes in 130 countries. The fight-night, UFC 112, will see the middleweight champion Anderson Silva defend his middleweight belt against Vitor Belfort and BJ Penn, the reigning lightweight champion, lock horns with Frankie Edgar.

chamilton@thenational.ae

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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 3/5

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

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The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

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The Penguin

Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5

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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
Bombshell

Director: Jay Roach

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie 

Four out of five stars 

End of free parking

- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18

- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued

- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket

- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200. 

- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200

- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300

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