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read moreThe UFC’s inaugural Fight Island events in Abu Dhabi have been “one of the most important moments in the promotion’s history” according to UFC Senior Vice President David Shaw.
With the series having concluded last Sunday with UFC Fight Night 3 - following four events across a two-week period at Yas Island’s Flash Forum, Shaw described the concept as "absolutely a win", noting “when we look back at the Fight Island experience after five or 10 years, we are going to say this was one of the most important moments in the UFC's history.
“In my view this is one of the most progressive and ambitious endeavours we have ever undertaken. This will have a long-lasting impact not only for our brand, but for the sport. This is a pretty important catalyst that's going to help propel mixed martial arts in the region for many years to come.
“So great success all round. I believe our partners, the Department of Culture and Tourism, believe so as well. But overall, from (UFC President) Dana (White) all the way to our groups, everyone feels this was a massive success. It took a hell of a lot of work to get Fight Island together - many months of planning and execution - and we couldn’t have done it without our partners at the Abu Dhabi Government."
Commencing on 12th July with UFC 251, Fight Island events were housed in an 11-kilometre safe zone, with upwards of 2,000 people on site. More than 17,000 Covid-19 tests were said to have been administered.
An “extension” of the five-year deal signed between the Abu Dhabi Government and the UFC, the event may be staged again, with Shaw telling Abu Dhabi newspaper The National, Shaw advised “given the current state of the coronavirus in the US and many countries around the world, travel restrictions are not our friend. We’re going to continue to look at opportunities around the world. Perhaps it makes sense to come back, but we’re not resting our laurels on this as the only opportunity. There has to be other opportunities for us.
“You need a very committed and willing partner, you need a partner that is going to invest in the operational and the infrastructure to make it happen. As stringent and rigourous as the testing procedures are, those don’t exist everywhere, so we’ve got to make these decisions very carefully as we look to other options.”
The UFC will relocate back to its base in the US city of Las Vegas until midway through September at least, with ongoing shows planned for next month.
The National earlier this month suggested that all the UFC’s main international fights would take place in Abu Dhabi for the foreseeable future.
Images: Abu Dhabi's Flash Forum ready to host UFC 251 (top) and a promotional cage for the event on a Yas Island beach (below).
25th July 2020 - Dubai and Indonesia are latest recipients of WTTC Safe Travels stamp
11th July 2020 - UFC ready to launch ‘Fight Island’ project on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island
15th June 2020 - UFC’s ‘fight island’ concept to be staged in Abu Dhabi
21st May 2020 - Abu Dhabi Government launches safe and clean certification program
20th May 2020 - Global sports sponsorship market predicted to fall by 37% this year
1st May 2020 - Coronavirus has multi-billion dollar negative impact on global sport
9th April 2020 - UFC President advises of plans to use island to host international MMA fights
17th February 2020 - Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena to open in April
28th January 2020 - Developer Miral considers further Yas Island attractions
30th April 2019 - Yas Island attractions secure multiple wins at World Travel Awards
30th April 2019 - UFC agrees long-term deal for fight events to return to Abu Dhabi
11th January 2019 - UFC to open US$13 million Performance Institute in Shanghai
25th June 2018 - UFC GYM announces partnership for Singapore expansion
8th November 2017 - UFC partners with AirAsia as ‘official airline’ sponsor
1st November 2017 - Perth Arena to host UFC championship fight event
13th July 2017 - UFC GYM increases Arabian Gulf footprint with new location in Bahrain
22nd December 2016 - UAE firm engages UFC star to launch MMA-based gym concept
27th October 2016 - UFC launches events partnership with Village Cinemas and Event Cinemas
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