Latest news with #Caucasus
Al Arabiya
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Armenian Prime Minister To Meet Erdogan In Rare Visit To Turkey Aimed At Mending Ties
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is scheduled to hold talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday as part of the two countries' efforts to normalize ties that were strained over historic disputes and Turkey's alliance with Azerbaijan. The talks between the two countries, which have no formal diplomatic ties, were expected to center on the possible reopening of their joint border. Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan, shut down its border with Armenia in 1993 in a show of solidarity with Baku, which was locked in a conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In 2020, Turkey strongly backed Azerbaijan in the six-week conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, which ended with a Russia-brokered peace deal that saw Azerbaijan gain control of a significant part of the region. Turkey and Armenia also have a more than century-old dispute over the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians in massacres, deportations, and forced marches that began in 1915 in Ottoman Turkey. Historians widely view the event as genocide. Turkey vehemently rejects the label, conceding that many died in that era but insisting that the death toll is inflated and the deaths resulted from civil unrest. The rare visit by an Armenian leader comes after Ankara and Yerevan agreed in 2021 to launch efforts toward normalizing ties and appointed special representatives to lead talks. Pashinyan previously visited Turkey in 2023 when he attended a presidential inauguration ceremony following an election victory by Erdogan. The two have also held talks on the sidelines of a meeting in Prague in 2022. It is Ankara and Yerevan's second attempt at reconciliation. Turkey and Armenia reached an agreement in 2009 to establish formal relations and to open their border, but the deal was never ratified because of strong opposition from Azerbaijan.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Baku: Khalil Rountree Clears the Air on Perceived Beef With Jamahal Hill
UFC Baku: Khalil Rountree Clears the Air on Perceived Beef With Jamahal Hill originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Khalil Rountree (13-6, 1 NC) has cleared the air on how he feels about Jamahal Hill (12-3, 1 NC). Advertisement Rountree and Hill are set to collide in the main event of UFC Baku on Saturday. Ahead of the fight, Hill has shared his belief that "The War Horse" has been attempting to manufacture pre-fight drama. Rountree responded to Hill's claims during an interview with Athlon Sports. "I really don't understand where that would come from," Rountree said. "There's no beef at all." Hill has told several reporters that Rountree once asked him if there's an issue between the two, which confused the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. "Sweet Dreams" also claimed that Rountree has had UFC staffers prevent the two from having a run-in, which "The War Horse" didn't deny. "Those things are accurate," Rountree said. "Just reading articles, things like that, I did approach him and asked if he had a problem with me, and we cleared that up. I don't necessarily like to be around any of my opponents in certain settings. I don't think that there's any problem or any beef. It's just I do like to ask, 'Hey, is my opponent in the building? Is it okay if I take this back route?' It's nothing extreme at all. It's literally all just to make sure that things move smoothly. That's really it." Controlled Chaos Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree meet face-to-face ahead of their UFC Baku main event.(via Zuffa LLC) While there might be a bit of awkwardness ahead of fight night, Rountree was honest about the dangers that Hill presents. Advertisement "He's a heavy hitter, and he's a tough guy," Rountree said. "He's not afraid to fight, and I think that when you're going up against people like that, there's always things to consider. It's always dangerous grounds to step into, but I don't plan to approach this fight carelessly at all. Anytime two light heavyweight fighters step inside the cage, you can bet your [expletive] that there's going to be danger. There's also a healthy level of caution." More Content for Fans Fans attend a UFC pay-per-view event.(via Zuffa LLC) Back in 2018, Rountree created a YouTube channel, but he's been more active with content recently. The No. 7-ranked UFC light heavyweight plans to continue keeping the channel active, and he explained what sparked his interest in posting more videos. Advertisement "After the Alex [Pereira] fight, there was a really big influx of new fans, and in the past I've been a little bit more reserved and closed off," Rountree said. "I thought I owe it to the people who support me to at least provide some type of insight on what life looks like. It's my way of being able to just share a little bit more of me so that people feel a little bit more connected." Khalil Rountree's Major Camp Addition Khalil Rountree gets his hands wrapped before making his entrance for a UFC fight.(via Zuffa LLC) In one of his videos, Rountree discussed adding former Muay Thai champion and MMA coach Chris Knowles to his camp. "The War Horse" recalled first meeting Knowles and why the two remained in contact to work together. Advertisement "After the Alex fight I took a small vacation, traveled the world, and while I was in London I just so happened to stop by Chris Knowles' gym and just kind of check it out, get some training with him. There was great chemistry there, and within the first two days, I think there were some stuff that we did that I felt stood out to me and that I wanted to continue to work on. We stayed in contact, and I flew him out to Las Vegas, and we just continued to work." Rountree has quickly grown quite comfortable with Knowles, given how much time the head coach has dedicated to helping him improve. "He's with me daily," Rountree said. "As a fighter, especially training every day, it's just nice to have coaches that are willing to dedicate the time it takes to really making us better, and Chris does that. He's sacrificed so much to just be with me daily. It's all been great, a great experience, great decision." Rountree has also mentioned putting a greater emphasis on grappling in an effort to have a well-rounded skillset. While it's hard to argue that Rountree's Muay Thai journey was his biggest undertaking as a pro fighter, he has a familiar feeling the more he gets acclimated to grappling. Advertisement "Yeah, there are similarities," Rountree said. "I've definitely gained a bigger appreciation for certain aspects of grappling, especially having great coaches and training partners. They're really great. They explain things to me in a way that really excites me about grappling and grappling for MMA. I don't think anything will impact me as much as Muay Thai did, but I can definitely say that this is the first time that I'm very excited to get in there and grapple." Remaining in UFC Title Race Khalil Rountree delivers a body kick to Anthony Smith during their UFC Vegas 83 fight.(via Zuffa LLC) Rountree's last fight was for the UFC light heavyweight gold. "The War Horse" had never been closer to a world title, and he's hoping a win over Hill puts him right back in contention. Advertisement "That would be ideal, honestly," Rountree said. "It all just comes down to how I perform on Saturday night. So, that's where my focus is, putting on a performance that is undeniable and that puts me somewhere up there at the top where a title fight is not too far away." The current light heavyweight champion is Magomed Ankalaev, who defeated Pereira for the title in March. At the moment, the next UFC championship fight at 205 pounds hasn't been determined. Rountree thinks the unpredictability of MMA makes it difficult for him to guess Ankalaev's first challenger. "It's really hard to say," Rountree said. "I don't think that anything in this sport is guaranteed. I think that the UFC is always full of surprises. I don't think that it's by choice. I think if it were up to the UFC, they would keep things very structured, and they would be able to give the fans the answers that they're looking for. Us fighters, we are complicated people, and we can be picky at times, but with all that being said, I'm not really sure. I think that when the news comes out of what's next, I'll be just as surprised as you are." Leaving No Doubt Khalil Rountree lands a punch on Alex Pereira during their title fight at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.(via Zuffa LLC) By the time UFC Baku is over, Rountree is hoping for more than just a victory. He hopes to leave no doubt that he should be back in UFC title talks. Advertisement "I think the headlines are going to say, 'Khalil Rountree is the baddest man on the planet, hands down,'" Rountree said. "'Give this guy a title shot as soon as possible,' and that's the headline." Related: Exclusive: Jamahal Hill Reveals What the UFC Light Heavyweight Division Is Missing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria
Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As Islam Makhachev gears up for a move to welterweight, questions surrounding his lightweight exit continue to stir. Many expected him to face the rising Ilia Topuria in a blockbuster title clash—but that fight never materialized. Now, a new revelation from within Makhachev's camp offers a deeper look into why the bout was bypassed. Advertisement In a conversation captured by Adam Zubayraev and shared by Red Corner MMA, Umar Nurmagomedov—Makhachev's teammate—shared surprising insight. Islam MakhachevGetty Images He revealed that UFC executive Hunter Campbell traveled to Dagestan to personally convince Makhachev to move up in weight so that Topuria could take over as the new lightweight champion. 'He [Hunter] came to see Islam, and they wanted Islam to move up. They want to make Topuria the champ at 155. They believe he can really sell fights,' Umar said. 'Islam doesn't want to give up his belt — he wants to fight at 155 too. Islam can take the 170 title, then return to 155 and hold both belts.' The comments have left fans confused and speculating about UFC's intentions. One post summed it up: 'Lemme get this straight … Hunter came to Dagestan to convince Makhachev to go up? But not fight the BIGGEST FIGHT the UFC can make with him and Topuria?' Others questioned the terms: 'Seems like Makhachev declined the fight then was FORCED to go up…' 'Islam isn't active enough to defend both and I'm sure they gave him a choice either vacate and move up or stay at 155 and fight Topuria'. With tensions simmering between both camps and the storyline only heating up, fans can only hope the fight eventually gets made. When the dust settles on UFC 317—and again when Makhachev squares off with Jack Della Maddalena—we might finally get some clarity. If the stars align, maybe Dana White and the UFC will circle back to the lightweight showdown fans actually want. Until then, all we can do is watch, wait, and keep the Twitter fingers ready. Advertisement Related: Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star Related: UFC Champion Shares Hard Truth About Jon Jones: 'It's a Responsibility' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Curtis Blaydes: UFC Baku fight vs. newcomer Rizvan Kuniev 'doesn't help me at all'
Curtis Blaydes believes he's stuck in neutral ahead of UFC on ABC 8. In his first appearance since challenging for the interim heavyweight title last year, Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) will welcome newcomer Rizvan Kuniev to the promotion. UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Advertisement "My expectations for the fight this weekend are same as always: I expect to win," Blaydes told reporters at media day. While Blaydes aims to get back into the win column after losing an interim title bid against Tom Aspinall at UFC 304, the heavyweight wrestler doesn't see the matchup against Kuniev (13-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) as one that will get him closer to title contention. "This fight doesn't help me at all," Blaydes said. "This guy is unranked. So, I could knock him out with a flying knee – it doesn't matter." It's rare that a promotionally ranked top-five fighter would face an unranked fighter, but circumstances made it necessary for Blaydes. While Kuniev may not be a name that will help him move back up the ladder, it will help his bank account. Since his pay is the same whether or not there's a number next to his opponent's name, Blaydes decided it was time to collect a paycheck. Advertisement "If you look at the availability of guys, there wasn't anyone available," Blaydes said. "Who wants to wait? I haven't had a fight since last July. I'd like to make some money this year." Blaydes recognizes that Kuniev is a threat inside the cage, but he views all heavyweights as such due to one-punch knockout power. If he's able to avoid that big shot and find a finish of his own, "Razor" Blaydes would love to get back into position to fight for the title soon, but he knows he'll have more work to do. "I would love to fight for the title," Blaydes said. "That would be another $800 grand in my pocket, but it's not gonna happen, so I'm not even gonna put that in my mind. Having that expectation would just lead to me being disappointed, and I don't want to be disappointed. So, I'll be realistic: I'll probably need another fight." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Curtis Blaydes fighting at UFC Baku for paycheck, not rankings boost
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi starts direct flights to Gabala
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, has launched its inaugural flight to Gabala from Abu Dhabi. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is the first and only airline to connect Gabala with the UAE. This significant milestone not only reinforces the airline's regional expansion by adding a second airport in Azerbaijan to the WIZZ map after Baku, but also makes it the only ultra-low-cost carrier currently operating between Azerbaijan and the UAE capital. The launch reaffirms Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's mission to offer affordable, reliable, and smart travel options for all, while creating a unique opportunity for UAE residents and tourists to explore the scenic Caucasus region. The new route operates three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with one-way fares starting from just AED 89**. Tickets are available on and via the WIZZ mobile app in both Arabic and English. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is celebrating with an exciting offer of up to 20% off ticket fares, available to all customers today. Tamara Vallois, Head of Commercial at Wizz Air said: 'Today marks a significant milestone as we commence our flights to Gabala and add it as a new point on the WIZZ map of affordable travel from the UAE. The launch of direct commercial operations opens new opportunities to boost tourism and drive economic growth in the region. Thanks to Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's affordable fares, residents of northern Azerbaijan now have a quick and convenient way to discover the vibrant attractions and rich cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi. At the same time, travellers from Abu Dhabi can experience the stunning landscapes and natural beauty that this region offers year-round. To celebrate our connectivity, we are offering an unmissable discount of up to 20% on ticket fares today. We remain committed to expanding our network and providing value-driven travel options, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi's role as a gateway to unique global destinations.' Nathalie Jongma, Vice President of Aviation Development at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: 'Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's new direct flights to Gabala represent a key step in expanding air connectivity between the UAE and the Caucasus region through Zayed International Airport. By strengthening access to this beautiful and culturally rich destination, Wizz Air is actively enhancing travel choices for residents and tourists, while also playing a key role in promoting AUH as a gateway to the world.' Gabala, often referred to as the 'Switzerland of Azerbaijan,' is a tranquil city surrounded by lush forests, lakes, and the majestic Caucasus Mountains. It offers a wide array of activities including hiking, paragliding, and skiing, alongside cultural attractions such as the Gabala Archaeological Center and the Tufandag Mountain Resort. This route supports cultural exchange, boosts bilateral tourism, and brings the charming beauty of Azerbaijan within easy reach for travellers from the Emirates. WIZZ AIR ABU DHABI'S NEWEST ROUTE TO AZERBAIJAN *This promotion applies on 19 June 2025 from 00.00 till 23.59 CET ('Promotional period').The up to 20% discount applies to the fare, excluding the administration fee. The up to 20% discount applies only on selected flights to/from Abu Dhabi International Airport available on and on the WIZZ mobile app during the Promotional period. Travel period is limited, from 1 July 2025 till 31 October 2025. The promotion applies only to bookings made on or on the WIZZ mobile app. Promotion does not apply to group bookings. **Fares are one-way, inclusive of an administration fee. Includes one carry-on bag (40x30x20cm); additional fees apply for trolley bags and checked baggage. Available exclusively on and the WIZZ mobile app. Limited seats available. Terms and conditions apply. About Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the national carrier of the UAE, is a joint venture by ADQ, one of the region's largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi's diversified economy, and Wizz Air Holdings Plc, the European ultra-low-cost airline, operating a fleet of 237 –Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Strategically located in the UAE, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is the ultra-low-cost carrier of the region, carrying the flag of affordable and safe travel for all passengers. As part of Wizz Air Holdings Plc, based in Europe and the UK, it contributes to the group's success of carrying 62.8 million passengers across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia in Financial Year 2024, ending 31 March Air is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker WIZZ. The airline was recently named one of the world's ten safest airlines by the world's only safety and product rating agency, and named Airline of the Year by Air Transport Awards in 2019 and 2023. Wizz Air has also been recognised as 'Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline' within the World Finance Sustainability Awards in 2021-2024, as 'Airline Group of the Year for Global Environmental Sustainability' by CAPA-Centre for Aviation Awards for Excellence in 2022-2023 and "EMEA's most Environmental Sustainability Airline Group of the Year" by the CAPA-Centre for Aviation Awards for Excellence 2024. For more information: Alexa Weber; Wizz Air Group; communications@ Follow us on Instagram: @wizzair Follow us on Facebook: @wizzair Follow us on Twitter: @wizzair Press Office: E-mail: wizzair@ Notes for Editors: All Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flights are operated on Airbus A321 neo aircraft and A321 ceo aircraft For free pictures of aircraft, crews and logo library please visit
