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Everything you need to know about Fight Island in Abu Dhabi

Road closures on Yas Island, the fight schedule and more

by Time Out Editors

The UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi for four events throughout this month, on July 11, 15, 18 and 25.

Fight Island will see UFC 251 and three UFC Fight Nights held in the UAE capital behind closed doors.

Yas Island is busy making preparations for the events that will be watched by fight fans all over the world.

Here is everything you need to know about Fight Island in Abu Dhabi from road closures to the fights that you won’t want to miss.

What safety measure are taking place?

A total of 1,500 event personnel will be involved in the events that will be held within an 11km ‘safe zone’ set up on Yas Island with strict health and safety measures in place.

All attendees including UFC staff, event personnel and Yas Island employees must take a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days prior to the events as a precautionary measure.

Once a negative test result is confirmed movement around the safe zone is permitted including to the venue, the hotels, training facilities and restaurants.
Only UFC fighters, staff and trainers, along with event staff, will be granted access to the safe zone for the entirety of the event.

No contact of any kind with residents will take place during Fight Island.

What road closures are there on Yas Island?

Road closures are already in place on Yas Island until July 30.

Yas Drive will be closed to everyone except for event staff and those with access to the safe zone set up on Yas Island.

With events taking place on July 11, 15, 18 and 25, the road closure will remain in place until the end of the month.

Those visiting Yas Island will still be able to access the area by using alternative routes.

Where is it taking place?

All four events will be held at the Flash Forum (formerly du Forum) starting with UFC 251 on July 11.

The events are behind closed doors so no spectators will be allowed into the venue or within the established safe zone at any time.

How can I watch it?

The events will be available to watch on pay-per-view around the world.

Here in the UAE, the UFC Arabia app will be steaming the event live as it happens on Yas Island.

What fights are taking place?

Kicking off Fight Island, UFC 251 is bringing some massive fights to the UAE on July 11.

The main event saw Gilbert Burns pull out, but UFC president Dana White confirmed on Twitter that Jorge Masvidal, the holder of the record for fastest ever knockout in the sport, will step in to face Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title.

It’s a potential fight of the year contender but there are more bouts to get excited about on the night, too.

Before the main event, fans can see the highly anticipated featherweight title rematch between champion Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway and an exciting bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Jose Aldo.

Later in the month, fight night on July 15 will be headlined by featherweights Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige, and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will make his bantamweight debut against Pedro Munhoz.

On July 18 there will be a flyweight title rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez, and on July 25 there will be a middleweight main event between former champion Robert Whittaker and Darren Till.

There are many big fights to look forward to and UFC will be making Abu Dhabi a regular home for the remainder of the year, with more main events and Fight Nights.

For more information visit www.ufc.com.