For the first time since 2014, the UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi.
UFC officials today announced a new partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) that will see the organization bring an annual event to the region for the next five years. Notably, each of the events, including UFC 242 on Sept. 7, is guaranteed to have a title fight on the bill.
“We are making a long-term commitment to Abu Dhabi because we have had great success in that market,” UFC president Dana White stated. “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. I’m very excited about this partnership and what it will mean for the growth of this sport and for UFC in the region.”
While the UFC’s announcement did not include any information regarding fights for the card, multiple people with knowledge of the promotions plans told MMA Junkie the organization hopes to have a lightweight unification bout top the bill with champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0 MMA, 11-0 UFC) vs. interim titleholder Dustin Poirier (25-5 MMA, 17-4 UFC).
The event is expected to air on the U.S. via pay-per-view.
The UFC has previously held two events in Abu Dhabi, including UFC Fight Night 39 in 2014 and UFC 112 in 2010. Each of those events was held out a temporary outdoor structure built specifically for the event. A venue has not been revealed for UFC 242
For more on UFC 242, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
