UFC returns to capital with Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October

UFC 294 and the fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week will take place at the Etihad Arena.

bay today, Journalist

The UFC announced on Thursday that it will return to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294 on Saturday, October 21, when the world’s best MMA fighters will once again face off at the Etihad Arena.

UFC 294 will be the latest event to be held in the UAE capital as part of a landmark partnership launched in 2019 between the world’s top mixed martial arts organization and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi).

The UFC 294 fight card has yet to be announced, but the event will be headlined by a highly anticipated title fight. A packed house at the Etihad Arena saw Islam Makhachev become the lightweight champion last year when he beat Charles Oliveira in a second-round stoppage at UFC 280.

UFC 294 will mark the UFC’s 18th event in Abu Dhabi since UFC 112 in 2010, when legend Anderson Silva faced fellow Brazilian Demian Maya. Since then, some of MMA’s biggest names have performed in the UAE capital, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev.

Abu Dhabi has also been a key partner for the UFC during the pandemic, enabling the organization to host events on biosecure “fight islands” while most sports in other parts of the world have been suspended.

Abu Dhabi is hosting 12 UFC events from July 2020 to January 2021, a move that keeps fighters active and fans entertained in that unprecedented era.

UFC President Dana White said: “Everyone knows how much I love Abu Dhabi and the people there, so we are delighted to bring another fantastic card to UFC 294 this October. Abu Dhabi for many years “It’s been a huge part of the overall UFC business and we’ve seen some incredible events during that time. We have some big plans for UFC 294 and I can’t wait to fight another crazy fight in October.” It’s game.”

Saleh Al Geziry, Director of DCT Abu Dhabi Tourism, promises an unforgettable UFC 294 event: “Abu Dhabi and UFC have a deep and trusted partnership that goes back more than a decade. We understand the With the passion and desire of regional fans for world-class events, together we are constantly working to deliver fight cards that will appeal to the widest possible audience. UFC 294 and the fifth Abu Dhabi showdown will be memorable and we look forward to announcing them in the coming months battle card.”