Combate.com reports that UFC Fight Island will be in Abu Dhabi, capital of the Untied Arab Emirates. The report indicates that the event will be at Ilha Da Luta. The first event scheduled for Fight Island will be June 27th.
No official announcement has been made despite the company filing multiple trademarks on it.
UFC Fight Island has been the source of interest by many in the MMA world after Dana White stated that he had an island to hold fights due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to travel restrictions, UFC athletes overseas were unable to fly to Jacksonville last month or to Vegas this month for events. The solution was to have an “island” to have fights for international athletes. The promotion intends to have events consecutive weeks through July. White stated that the events would be held on a beach.
Travel restrictions are less in Abu Dhabi according to the Combate article. Upon arriving, individuals are tested and forced into isolation for 14 days to self-quarantine.
The last event in Abu Dhabi was on Yas Island for UFC 242 this past September. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier were in the main event with the Dagestani earning the victory.
Payout Perspective:
This will be an interesting and expensive endeavor for the company as it attempts to keep business going. Notably, Conor McGregor may fight on Fight Island which may recoup all of the money it has invested. The risks are still there for the company that embraces it. MPO will continue to follow.
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