UFC‘s historic ‘Fight Island’ will make its debut in Abu Dhabi this weekend, featuring a stacked card including the main event UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman against Jorge Masvidal.
Hosted in a purpose-built arena on Yas Island in the UAE capital, Fight Island is a brand new concept from UFC, featuring a series of four events taking place in one location across a two-week period.
The innovative new concept came about in responce to the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent global travel restrictions impacting. The promotion created the concept to allow its international athletes to compete.
The opening event (UFC 251) on July 12 will boast one of the best cards of the year – headlined by the Welterweight title fight between the champion Usman and challenger Masvidal.
Masvidal was drafted in only a weeks before the fight as a replacement for the number one contender Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for Covid-19.
The Nigerian-born Usman has never been defeated in 11 UFC appearances, with a professional mixed martial arts record of 16-1. He won the welterweight title in March 2019 defeating Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision.
Masvidal is a veritable veteran and is one of the sport’s most popular fighters, with 35 victories and 13 defeats in his pro career.
The enitre card is available to watch live in the region through the UFC Arabia app.
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