UFC President Dana White was full of praise for Abu Dhabi in its role as the host of this month’s series of Fight Island events.
Speaking at the weigh-in for the third event on UFC Fight Island, White went as far to describe the UAE capital as having the potential to become the “the fight capital of the world”, citing that due to the current state of Covid-affect travel and social restictions “it’s definitely not Las Vegas right now.”
“People thought this Fight Island thing was three or four fights and that’s a wrap,” said White. “That’s not true – we’re here to stay. As far as trying to find another venue outside of the United States, it isn’t happening. Why would I go anywhere other than Abu Dhabi?”
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has a five-year agreement with UFC to host one event per year. UFC Fight Island is in addition to that agreement, so a 2020 fight is still owed as part of that deal.
“We are going to do a lot of fights over here,” said White “If you look at how many international fights we do, those are here in Abu Dhabi. The DCT Abu Dhabi are incredible to work with”
UFC Fight Island continues with two more ESPN Fight Nights on Sunday, July 19 from 1am local time and Sunday, July 26 from 1am local time.
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