It looks like we finally have a location for UFC's mysterious “Fight Island.”
According to a recent report by Combate, “Fight Island” is expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, a popular landing spot for past UFC events.
UFC has yet to confirm the location, but Abu Dhabi does have less restrictions for international flights and relaxed policy on COVID-19 quarantine.
BREAKING: Abu Dhabi hosts the Fight Island. By @raphamarinho and @marbarone.https://t.co/Zm6uLp84aB
— Marcelo Russio (@MarceloRussio) June 6, 2020
Since UFC president Dana White introduced the idea of “Fight Island” back in April fight fans have been eager to learn more. Outside of White revealing that “Fight Island” will incorporate an Octagon on the beach, specifics have been scarce until now.
While Combate’s report mentions a potential “Fight Island” start date of June 27, White revealed earlier this week in a conversation with TMZ Sports that the inaugural event is expected to take place July 11, 2020.
As of now, UFC is working on the following fights for June 27:
Here are the bouts being targeted for July 11:
Where is Fight Island?! New gear just landed in the @UFCStore!
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 5, 2020
https://t.co/frI85lAVV2 pic.twitter.com/AYU7noxjHe
This moves for UFC makes sense considering the promotion has had a good relationship with Flash Entertainment — an investment arm of Abu Dhabi’s government — for over a decade. After purchasing 10 percent stock of UFC back in 2010 in effort to get more cards to Abu Dhabi, Flash Entertainment ended up selling its shares for an undisclosed amount in 2018 after UFC was purchased by Endeavor two years earlier.
The last event UFC hosted in Abu Dhabi was UFC 242 last September, which saw current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov choke out Dustin Poirier to defend his title (highlights HERE).
It should be noted that the average temperature in Abu Dhabi is 104 degrees (Fahrenheit) in June, and 107 degrees in July and August. Fighting in an Octagon on the beach may be more difficult than ever.
Stick with Mania as more “Fight Island” news is revealed.
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