Abu Dhabi to host UFC series on September 26 - October 24d

Abu Dhabi -- The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, have announced that Return to UFC Fight Island, the much-celebrated UFC series will be held on Yas Island from September 26 to October 24.

Following the undisputed success of July’s inaugural series, which saw the state-of-the-art UFC Fight Island Safe Zone implemented across all event-related areas of Yas Island, the series’ epic return less than three months later marks another historic first for Abu Dhabi and the sport. The capital of the UAE is continuing to take a leading position in safely organising large, high-profile sports events through successful management of health and safety protocols, providing a further boost to the local economy and showcasing the world’s leading athletes.

Return to UFC Fight Island will feature UFC 253, UFC 254 and three Fight Nights in the UAE capital’s premier leisure and entertainment destination. The five-event mega schedule will be held behind closed doors and marks the first time that two consecutive UFC numbered pay-per-view events have been held in the same city outside of Las Vegas – yet another historic first for Abu Dhabi.

Return to UFC Fight Island will begin with a middleweight title bout on September 26 with UFC 253: ADESANYA vs COSTA, followed by UFC FIGHT NIGHT : HOLM vs. ALDANA on October 3, UFC FIGHT NIGHT : MORAES vs. SANDHAGEN on October 10, and UFC FIGHT NIGHT : ORTEGA vs. KOREAN ZOMBIE on October 17.

In what promises to be a thrilling finale, Return to UFC Fight Island will close with UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje on October 24, when fan favourite Khabib Nurmagomedov will return to the Octagon for the first time since defeating the USA’s Dustin Poirier via third-round submission at UFC 242 during last September’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Showdown Week.

Return to UFC Fight Island events will be broadcast in the UAE and across MENA on UFC Arabia, UFC’s first Arabic-language subscription service in the region, which is available through Apple Store, Google Play and via web browsers and smart TVs.