When UFC president Dana White announced that he would be putting cards on Fight Island, it was natural to envision an Octagon set up on a tropical paradise. So when the announcement was made that Fight Island was Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and the events would be held in an arena, some fight fans were understandably disappointed.
But the fighters scheduled on upcoming cards in Abu Dhabi apparently aren’t going to go without the experience of being in a cage surrounded by sand, sea and sunshine.
On his Instagram account Saturday, White released a photo of an Octagon on a beach on Yas Island. It was set up for fighters to train in as they prepare for their fights in July.
Fight Island baby!!! #YasIsland pic.twitter.com/LTe8Jlgvgv
— danawhite (@danawhite) June 28, 2020
The UFC is holding four shows in Abu Dhabi, including UFC 251 on July 11. The main card of the upcoming pay-per-view features three title fights, with Kamaru Usman defending his welterweight title against teammate Gilbert Burns in the main event. Prior to that bout, Alexander Volkanovski will put up his featherweight crown versus former champ Max Holloway, and Petr Yan will challenge Jose Aldo for the vacant bantamweight belt.
The other three Fight Island main events include Calvin Kattar versus Dan Ige on July 15, Deiveson Figueiredo versus Joseph Benavidez for the vacant flyweight title on July 18, and Robert Whittaker versus Darren Till on July 25.