UFC To Make Its Return To Abu Dhabi In September
The UFC is set to make its long-awaited return to Abu Dhabi this fall. It was announced by the UFC that the UAE would host its first UFC event for five years.
Following several rumors, the stage is set for the UFC to appear in Abu Dhabi. An announcement that appeared on UFC.com broke the news. The promotion announced a deal that had been signed with The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The deal states that the UFC will be holding several events there, over the next five years.
According to the report, the UFC will be holding their first event at UFC 242, in September. Early reports are that the UFC is looking to book a lightweight title unification bout, between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier. However, that is far from official yet.
The report states that the UFC will be holding events in the region over the next five years. Each event will be headlined by at least one championship bout. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the Chairman of the DCT Abu Dhabi had this to say about the partnership:
“UFC will become a key component of Abu Dhabi’s thriving events calendar for the next five years, which is already packed full of not only great sporting events, but also cultural, arts and entertainment offerings as well.”
It's official! We're bringing #UFC242 to @VisitAbuDhabi!
Don't miss out! Here's how to get tickets #InAbuDhabi: https://t.co/OilM7VwB29 pic.twitter.com/Nkb9EHVjSh
— UFC (@ufc) April 29, 2019
UFC president Dana White also had some words about the deal.
“The demand from our fans to bring UFC back to Abu Dhabi has been overwhelming, and over the next five years, DCT Abu Dhabi will help us deliver some spectacular UFC championship fights to the UAE.”
UFC 242 will be the first event in Abu Dhabi since UFC Fight Night: Noguiera vs Nelson back in April of 2014.
