The UFC has formally announced its return to Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates, on September 7. The statement stated that the UFC will maintain a number of events in Abu Dhabi over the next five years as it arrived into a”groundbreaking new partnership” with the town’s Department of Culture and Tourism. You may read more about the deal of the UFC here.
UFC 242 is going to be the first time the Octagon has landed in Abu Dhabi because UFC Fight Night 39 back in April 2014, when Roy Nelson pumped out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the main event. UFC 242 will be the next time the promotion has held a pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi after UFC 112 back in April 201, the nighttime Frankie Edgar took the UFC lightweight title from BJ Penn..
The UFC has not formally announced any bouts for UFC 242, but rumors continue to swirl about a significant title fight headlining the card. Rumors out there point to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov trying to unite his title with interim UFC lightweight winner Dustin Poirier. That fight produces a lot of sense considering Nurmagomedov’s Muslim background, and the timeframe is perfect because of the champ taking the summer off for Ramadan.
The UFC returning to Abu Dhabi is obviously a good thing for the promotion as this five-year deal will undoubtedly bring a great deal of additional money to the UFC’s coffers. It remains to be seen if the fighters are going to find any share of that, but the simple fact the UFC proceeds to hold events around the world is a fantastic thing as it will give local fighters from the Middle East presumably the opportunity to sign up with the UFC and fight inside the Octagon. We do not have some rumors of who will be battling on the card, however you can bet that boxers using a Middle Eastern or Muslim heritage is going to be reserved for this occasion.
In addition to this announcement of UFC 242 at Abu Dhabi, there are rumors out there that the UFC will head to Australia in October for the middleweight title unification bout between champion Robert Whittaker and interim champ Israel Adesanya. It appeared like originally the plan was for people two to struggle in September, but the timing has made it so that fight is likely going to occur in October. That’s also a fantastic thing for Jack Hermansson, that has been asking to headline the UFC’s return to Copenhagen, also in October, as the timeline of this would give him the best opportunity to resist the winner of the bout.
Together with UFC 242 being declared for September, we now have confirmation there’ll be an additional pay-per-view in July following UFC 239, plus one more in August, as the UFC must make up to its cancellation of UFC 233 back in January.
Remember to stay tuned to MMAOB to receive the latest news and upgrades for UFC Abu Dhabi and each the advertising’s other events as new fights continue to be declared almost everyday in what’s shaping up to be a rather busy 2019.
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