ABU DHABI: The UFC and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have extended their partnership, which will see the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization bringing championship and other bouts to the emirate every year.
The new partnership will expand to include additional Fight Night events, which will take place across the Middle East and North Africa region.
The UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, part of the listed TKO Group Holdings, has a longstanding relationship with Abu Dhabi, with 18 events having been held in the region since 2010.
The two sides entered a formal partnership in 2019, and since then, some of the biggest names in combat sports have competed in the UAE capital. This includes former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who defended his title multiple times in Abu Dhabi, former two-weight world champion Conor McGregor, and former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Over the term of the original deal, nine title fights have taken place showcasing top-tier global talent, entertaining viewers all over the world and growing the sport of MMA across the MENA region.
“Bringing UFC to Abu Dhabi each year has proved hugely popular, with MMA fans coming to the emirate from all over the world to watch the biggest and best fights in the sport,” said Saood Abdulaziz Al-Hosani, undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi.
“Over a 15-year relationship, UFC has extended its global reach and Abu Dhabi has established itself as a world capital for combat sports. Renewing our partnership with UFC allows us to continue to stage major events that thrill visitors and residents. We are excited to extend the relationship and innovate together to grow this sport in the UAE and wider region.”
Dana White, the UFC’s CEO, commented: “Abu Dhabi is one of my favorite places in the world; the people, the restaurants, the hotels, it’s incredible. I have been so excited to be able to put on some of the biggest fights in the history of UFC in Abu Dhabi and it’s only going to get even bigger from here with additional Fight Nights coming to the region next year. I love it here.”
Since 2010, UFC events have brought thousands of fight fans to Abu Dhabi and showcased the UFC and the emirate to a global TV audience of more than 900 million homes across more than 170 countries.
That partnership was deepened as Abu Dhabi hosted three separate series of Fight Island events during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when sport around the world was shutting down, Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island was transformed to create a safe and secure location for international athletes to compete.
The announcement comes ahead of the sold-out UFC 294 which features lightweight champion Islam Makhachev versus Alexander Volkanovski on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Etihad Arena on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. Last year, a sold-out crowd witnessed Makhachev become the lightweight champion when he defeated Charles Oliveira via second round stoppage at UFC 280.
In the co-main event, fan favorite and UAE resident Khamzat Chimaev will make his middleweight debut as he faces his toughest test to date in former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
In addition to the championship event, fans have been enjoying a weeklong celebration of MMA as Abu Dhabi Showdown Week returned with UFC Fan Experiences, concerts and comedy shows.
