There is a good chance that live fans will be allowed in to Fight Island stadium to watch UFC 254.
UFC 254 will take place on October 24 and see Khabib Nurmagomedov fight Justin Gaethje at the Flash Forum on Yas Island (now dubbed Fight Island).
According to Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism marketing director Saeed Rashed Al Saeed, a plan is in place to allow fans into the stadiums – pending approval from authorities.
“We are currently studying how to bring fans into UFC 254,” said Al Saeed. “Right now we’re going through how to segregate fans from people inside the bubble, but still get them inside the space in a safe manner.
“If everything goes to plan we’ll be announcing this soon. It’s not confirmed yet but the plan is in place but it needs to be endorsed. I’m optimistic but health and safety cannot be compromised. That is our priority, it will not happen unless it is fool proof.”
If approved, that would make UFC 254 the first event with fans in attendance since UFC 248 in Las Vegas last March. It would also be fitting, as this bout is looking to be one of the biggest UFC fights of the year.
UFC 254 will feature the lightweight unification title fight between Nurmagomedov and Gaethjew, and will also feature middleweight clash between champion Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier.
Currently, the fighters, crew and staff in Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island are part of a protective bubble against COVID-19. If the approval for a live audience were to go through, this would be a huge breakthrough for live sports in the UAE.
[Via Hotelier]
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