Fresh from UFC 249, fight fans in the UAE will be delighted to hear that big events will be coming back to the capital over the next few years.
In September 2019, UFC returned to Abu Dhabi with the fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier.
It was the first in a five-year deal to bring title fights to the Middle East and despite having to hold the most recent event behind closed doors, plans are still in palce to return to the UAE soon.
Speaking to UFC Arabia, UFC President Dana White reiterated plans to bring “massive fights” to the city and spoke highly of the emirate as a destination and of the passion of the fans in the region.
“We have a five-year deal with Abu Dhabi for fights in the Middle East. My relationship with Abu Dhabi couldn’t be better,” said White.
“There are massive fights fans there and Khabib [‘s popularity in the region] makes it that much bigger.
“Any opportunity that I can get to do an event in Abu Dhabi, I will be there.
“Abu Dhabi is a destination, it’s a fun place to go. This last fight we did there, we did a sort of a version of Looking for a Fight and there’s so many things to do out there and so many cool attractions in the city that make it a great destination for fights.
“It is a very well-educated market, fans love the sport, they get the sport, they support the sport. We are going to just keep putting on massive fights in Abu Dhabi and keep educating the world on what an incredible destination for fights it is.
“For people from America, Australia, the UK, or wherever it might be, being a fight fan, you have to check out a fight in Abu Dhabi at some point.
“Get there, take in the culture, stay in the gorgeous hotels, eat in the unbelievable restaurants, it is truly a great destination for fights.
“We’re even talking about when the world gets back to normal doing an international fight week in Abu Dhabi.
“Over the next five years together I think the sky is the limit with the cool things we can do in Abu Dhabi, leading up to fights and fight week.”
We don’t know about you but we can’t wait to see the octagon back in the UAE capital.
