UFC 242 confirmed for Abu Dhabi in September

David Cooper - Writer 10:25 29/04/2019
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  • The UFC will return to the UAE in September after the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced a five-year partnership with the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation on Monday.

    The UAE capital will play host to UFC 242 on September 7, which is the company’s first event in the emirate since Nogueira vs Nelson in April 2014.

    Though the bouts are still to be confirmed, the card will be headlined by at least one championship fight, which could potentially see Khabib Nurmagomedov take on Dustin Poirier in the lightweight division.

    “We are making a long-term commitment to Abu Dhabi because we have had great success in that market,” UFC president Dana White said.

    “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.”

    Additional details about UFC 242, including venue, scheduled fights, ticket sales, and activities for fight week, will be announced at a later date.

    “Abu Dhabi is now firmly established as a unique tourism destination which offers a diverse mix of activities and initiatives that cater to all kinds of audience and visitors,” said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, DCT Abu Dhabi.

    “UFC will become a key component of Abu Dhabi’s thriving events calendar for the next five years, which is already packed full of not only great sporting events, but also cultural, arts and entertainment offerings as well.

    “This spectacular mixed martial arts event, which has a huge following around the world, will bring heightened impetus to visitation in the third quarter for the emirate and will no doubt boost incoming tourist numbers as fight fans across the world gather in Abu Dhabi.”

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