By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
UFC’s global marketing reach from its Las Vegas headquarters has reached Abu Dhabi where the MMA promotion will stage four “Fight Island” events at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, one of the emirate’s popular entertainment destinations.
UFC’s four events on Yas Island will be one Pay-Per-View for UFC 251 and three other Fight Night events. UFC 251 is set for July 11 and fight night events on July 15, 18 and 25. UFC worked with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT). The Fight Island concept was designed to include UFC’s international fighters, so that they could travel directly to Abu Dhabi on a private airline.
To cope with the coronavirus pandemic, DCT Abu Dhabi will create a safety zone within the nearly ten square miles of Yas Island, which will include an arena, hotel, training facilities, and dining establishments. This safety zone will only be open to UFC athletes and their coaches; UFC staff and other event personnel; and Yas Island employees who are necessary to ensure the operation of the facilities.
Here’s UFC President Dana White on the four fight events: “We came up with the idea of having fights on ‘Fight Island’ because we needed a destination to hold international events during the global pandemic. Abu Dhabi has been an amazing location to hold fights over the past ten years and it is the perfect place for these events.
“The infrastructure we are building will be such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the fighters that’s never been done before – from the arena, the private training facility, and the Octagon on the island – it’s going to be an experience that none of us will ever forget. I can’t wait to deliver amazing fights from Yas island.”
UFC and Abu Dhabi have history. UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi have a five-year partnership to bring UFC events to the emirate. UFC 242, which featured Khabib Nurmagonedov vs. Dustin Poirier Sept 7, 2019 and was first event held under the deal, attracted more than 14,000 fans to Yas Island. The agreement to bring UFC’s Fight Island concept to Abu Dhabi is an expansion of the original five-year partnership between UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi.
It’s also a classic example of UFC’s worldwide business footprint. In the UAE and through the rest of the Middle East and North Africa, UFC content is streamed on UFC Arabia app, UFC’s first Arabic-language streaming subscription service in the region. The ‘UFC Arabia’ app can be downloaded through Apple Store and Google Play and is available on web, smart phone, tablets and Smart TVs. UFC events are broadcast in 175 countries and territories in 40 different languages and reach approximately one billion TV households. UFC has held events in Abu Dhabi in 2010 and 2014
HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our partnership with the UFC, now in its second year, has proved to be one of our most successful ventures in recent years. Thanks to their commitment and cooperation, we are proud to announce that Abu Dhabi will host the first ever “Fight Island” event, marking the long-awaited return of UFC fights to the global stage.”
He added: “We have worked closely with all government entities in Abu Dhabi to ensure that the staging of this historic event complies with the highest standards of safety for the athletes, coaches, and all UFC personnel as well as the safety of our community. This year, Abu Dhabi has successfully proven its ability to handle all challenges and promote the well-being of its visitors and residents; and today, we are here to showcase the best that our capital has to offer, as we look forward to opening our doors once again to the world.”
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