Abu Dhabi to host UFC’s Fight Island in July

As promised, UFC honcho Dana White will bring the highly-popular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event back to Emirates yet again, with the announcement of the historic ‘Fight Island’ on Tuesday.

“Abu Dhabi has been an amazing location to hold fights over the past 10 years and it is the perfect place for these events,” said Dana White.

UFC and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), who had signed a ground-breaking five-year partnership last year also confirmed the news.

The landmark event will take place at the picturesque and sprawling Yas Island, about 40km from the UAE Capital.

UFC will produce four events on Yas Island, including one pay-per-view –  UFC 251 – and three Fight Nights.  

The schedule sees UFC 251 taking place on July 11 (Saturday) and will be followed with successive Fight Night events on July 15 (Wednesday), July 18 (Saturday) and July 25 (Saturday).

UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi said that further details, including fight cards, will be announced in the next few weeks. 

And in keeping with the current situation because of the global pandemic, DCT Abu Dhabi, along with the relevant authorities will strictly follow the existing public health guidelines and create a bio-secure bubble around the nearly 10 square mile Yas Island.

The Yas Island is home to the Yas Arena, as well as plenty of world-class hotels. The UFC bandwagon will stay and train within Yas Island and this safety zone will only be open to them.

“We came up with the idea of having fights on ‘Fight Island’ because we needed a destination to hold international events during the global pandemic,” said Dana White.

“The infrastructure we are building will be such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the fighters that’s never been done before – from the arena, the private training facility and the Octagon on the island – it’s going to be an experience that none of us will ever forget. I can’t wait to deliver amazing fights from Yas Island,” added the 50-year-old.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said that the event will have the highest standard of safety.

“We have worked closely with all government entities in Abu Dhabi to ensure that the staging of this historic event complies with the highest standards of safety for the athletes, coaches, and all UFC personnel as well as the safety of our community,” Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said.