The UFC finally is set to make its return to the Middle East.
The promotion heads to Abu Dhabi on Sept. 7 for UFC 242, its first trip to the region since 2014.
The inaugural show there was UFC 112 in 2010, which featured two title fights. Anderson Silva defended his middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Demian Maia, and Frankie Edgar beat B.J. Penn to capture the lightweight belt.
Four years later, the UFC made its return to Abu Dhabi for UFC Fight Night 39: Nogueira vs. Nelson. In the main event, Roy Nelson knocked out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the first round.
Now, five years later, the UFC is back to Abu Dhabi and the card is headlined by a big championship fight.
Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0 MMA, 11-0 UFC) has a title unification fight against interim champion Dustin Poirier (25-5-1 MMA, 17-4-1 UFC) in one of the most anticipated fights of the year. “The Eagle” successfully defended his lightweight title vs. Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in the biggest pay-per-view event in UFC history. He scored a fourth round submission win and now looks to continue his unstoppable run vs. Poirier.
Poirier won the interim lightweight title against featherweight champion Max Holloway with a unanimous decision at UFC 236 in one of the best fights of the year. He will travel to what is dubbed enemy territory when he attempts to become the first man to defeat Nurmagomedov.
UFC 242 takes place Sept. 7 at The Arena at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
In the co-main event, two lightweight sluggers rematch when Edson Barboza takes on Paul Felder. Also, a top-10 heavyweight showdown features Curtis Blaydes vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov.
The card is not stacked with high-profile names, but what it does feature some fighters from the Middle East and North African region. Inside, meet the four Arab fighters who are scheduled to take part in the UFC’s third trip to Abu Dhabi.
Belal Muhammad vs. Takashi Sato
Born in Chicago to Palestinian immigrants, Belal Muhammad (15-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is one of the brightest prospects in the stacked welterweight division. The former Titan FC welterweight champion is a proud Palestinian and always carries the Palestinian flag when he walks to the octagon.
Muhammad has won four of his past five, including a win over Curtis Millender by unanimous decision at UFC 236 in his most recent outing. He will take on Japan’s Sato (15-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who successfully made his UFC debut when he took out Ben Saunders in the second round at UFC on ESPN+ 8.
Muhammad knows when he makes the walk Sept. 7 he’ll have the whole crowd behind him.
“I feel like it’s huge for me to be representing Palestine as I fight in Abu Dhabi,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie. “All around the world, people don’t understand what that flag means – the struggles and the fight of the Palestinian people. And I know the Abu Dhabi people will know who I’m fighting for, and I feel like they’ll have extra energy when they see me walking out.”
Nordine Taleb vs. Muslim Salikhov
Born in St. Tropez, France, to Algerian parents, veteran Nordine Taleb (15-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has been competing on the big stage for a long time. The former Ring of Combat welterweight champion and Bellator fighter turned pro in 2007 and currently spends time training at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand.
He failed to make good on two attempts to enter “The Ultimate Fighter” house, but ultimately was given a UFC opportunity at the TUF: Nations Finale, where he beat Vik Grujic. He went on to win another two fights and cemented his place in the promotion.
He then alternated wins and losses, scoring big finishes over Erick Silva and Danny Roberts. However, he recently dropped two straight to Claudio Silva and Sean Strickland, and was finally able to bounce back in his most recent outing with a unanimous decision win over Kyle Prepolec at UFC on ESPN+ 9.
He takes on Russia’s Salikhov (14-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who has finished 12 of his 15 pro wins and is coming off a first round knockout over Rick Rainey at UFC on FOX 29.
For the Algerian Taleb, Abu Dhabi may not be home, but it’s close enough and a chance for him to fight in front of the Arab fans.
“I’m Algerian, not Emirati – still not my country, but I’m honored to fight in this beautiful event in the Middle East,” Taleb told MMA Junkie. “And I’m looking to give a performance of a lifetime for my Emirati fans.”
Khalid Taha vs. Bruno Silva
Khalid Taha (13-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was born in Germany and is of Lebanese descent. He dropped his UFC debut to Nad Narimani, but bounced back emphatically when he upset Boston Salmon with a first-round knockout in less than 30 seconds at UFC 236.
“The Warrior” is a proven finisher and looks to take out newcomer and Henry Cejudo training partner Bruno Silva (11-3-1 MMA). Silva took part in “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4” in 2015. He won his fight to get into the house vs. Gustavo Sedorio, but lost to Dileno Lopes in the quarterfinals.
Now that he’s made it to the big leagues, Taha is proud to represent Lebanon on the grand stage, fighting for his whole nation.
“Since I am a professional fighter in the champions league, the UFC, I am not fighting only for myself,” Taha told MMA Junkie. “I represent a whole nation and I am very proud of it. I can’t wait to get in there in Abu Dhabi and make all of them proud, God willing.
Ottman Azaitar vs. Teemu Packalen
Undefeated Moroccan Ottman Azaitar (11-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is one of the most popular fighters in the North African region. He is currently based in Rabat, Morocco, in a facility that was specially built for him and his brother by the King of Morocco to help promote the sport better in the country.
Fighters such as Khalid Taha, Mairbek Taisumov and others have spent their training camps in Morocco with the Azaitar brothers in the past, helping them train and prepare for their fights.
Ottman will join his brother, Abu Azaitar, in the promotion. Abu successfully made his UFC debut when he beat Vitor Miranda by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 134.
“The Bulldozer” is a former Brave CF lightweight champion, and lives up to his nickname. His march-down, brawling style has scored him numerous stoppage wins. Now he looks to add another one to his resume when he takes on Finland’s Packalen.
Packalen (8-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has not competed since his first-round stoppage loss to Marc Diakiese more than two years ago at UFC Fight Night 107.
For all four Arab fighters competing on Sept. 7, it’s a chance for them to compete on the biggest stage in front of their home fans. As the sport grows in the MENA region, it’s an opportunity for the fans to connect and be introduced to fighters from their region who will be extra motivated to put on a performance of a lifetime.
