In an interview with Sports Business, UFC COO Lawrence Epstein stated that the Abu Dhabi government is paying for the logistics of the four events being held on Fight Island including transport, testing, accommodation, training facilities and catering. It also may be paying a “hosting fee” to the UFC on top of that which makes the visit to Abu Dhabi that much more lucrative for the company.
Epstein, who is on a media tour prior to UFC 251 extolling the company protocols in addressing COVID-19 concerns, spoke about the arrangement with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT). In April 2019, Zuffa agreed to a five-year media rights deal with Abu Dhabi Media which included a “five-year hosting rights deal with the Abu Dhabi DCT that ensures one UFC event is held there each year.” In May, as the UFC sought to hold live events again, the promotion struck another four-event deal with the DCT which is separate from the April 2019 deal.
Payout Perspective:
If you are watching the Embedded series and MMA twitter, you know that most athletes and staff for Fight Island have gone to Abu Dhabi on a chartered plan we now know was likely paid for by the DCT. Also, the hotel accommodations look plush. Moreover, the testing protocols have been strict and the most stringent of all of the UFC events thus far since coming back to live action in May. We know that most of this has been paid for by Abu Dhabi. The question will be if these top notch protocols and expenses will be transferred to Vegas when the company comes back and has to pay for it themselves.
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