UFC has announced it will return to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294 on Saturday, October 21, as the world’s best mixed martial artists face off once again at the Etihad Arena.
UFC 294 will be the latest event to be held in the UAE capital as part of a landmark partnership, launched in 2019, between the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
The UFC 294 fight card is yet to be announced, but the event will be headlined by a highly anticipated championship title bout.
UFC in Abu Dhabi
Last year, a sold-out Etihad Arena witnessed Islam Makhachev become the lightweight champion, when he defeated Charles Oliveira via second round stoppage at UFC 280.
It will mark the 18th event UFC has held in Abu Dhabi since 2010, when legend Anderson Silva squared off against Brazilian compatriot Demian Maia.
Since then, some of the biggest names in MMA have performed in the UAE capital including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, and Khamzat Chimaev.
Abu Dhabi also hosted events on the bio-secure “Fight Island”, with twelve events taking place in Abu Dhabi from July 2020 to January 2021.
Saleh Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi and UFC have a deep and trusted partnership dating back more than a decade. We understand the passion and desire of fans in the region for world-class events, and together we constantly strive to deliver fight cards that appeal to as wide an audience as possible.
“UFC 294 and the fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Showdown will be memorable, and we look forward to announcing the fight card in the coming months.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority will organise the WWE King and Queen of The Ring competition in May in Jeddah.
Several of the world’s most renowned champions who have huge followers around the world will participate in the event.
The matches are expected to be widely attended due to the immense popularity of the sport in the Kingdom, where it will be the first time that the live and special King and Queen of The Ring event is held since 2015.
It will also be the first time that a queen will be crowned since the Queen Crown Tournament was held during the WWE Crown Jewel Show in Riyadh in 2021.
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