It's the first time a UFC Fight card will be held in an Island.
What started out as a wild idea is finally going to happen on July 11 as UFC 251 will be held at Yaz Island in Abu Dhabi. The event will feature three championship bouts.
"So, everybody has been dying to find out where Fight Island is, so today I'm here to announce that Fight Island is on Yaz Island in Abu Dhabi. Just like I said about Florida, how the commission and the government worked with us there to pull off this fight. Same thing with Abu Dhabi. These guys have been amazing partners in everything that we've ever done with them," White said.
It will be remembered that the UFC struck a huge deal with Abu Dhabi during the Zuffa era. Holding an event in an island under its jurisdiction isn't a surprise.
The city has already expressed willingness to invest in facilities to accommodate cards there. Apparently, it was pandemic restrictions that convinced everyone to be innovative with staging events.
Usman vs Burns to headline first UFC Island event
The first ever UFC Island card, UFC 251, is going all-in with three title fights.
UFC President Dana White was supposed to schedule three title fights for UFC 249, the promotion first PPV after a two-month shutdown. Unfortunately, only two happened in that card.
Now, it's set to happen in a new normal unless any unforeseen events happen. The welterweight, featherweight, and bantamweight championship is set to be defended.
No.1 ranked welterweight Gilbert Burns is the imminent challenger for Kamaru Usman's welterweight belt.
Alexander) Volkanovski is set to defend his title against Max Holloway in a lightweight title rematch.
Jose Aldo may have been unsuccessful in his bantamweight debut but current situations awarded him a bantamweight title fight against Russian Petr Yan.
Yan was also given a free ticket despite being knocked out by Urijah Faber last year.
UFC 251 will bt the first in four Abu Dhabi cards. The second fight will be Wednesday, July 15; then Saturday, July 18; and then Saturday, July 25.
UFC 251 on Fight Island (Yaz Island, Abu Dhabi)
- UFC Welterweight Championship: Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Gilbert Burns
- UFC Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Max Holloway
- UFC Bantamweight Championship: Peter Yan vs. Jose Aldo
- Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
- Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant
Who's ready for the first UFC Island fight event? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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