*** UPDATE: The limited amount of UFC 257 tickets have already sold out (details). ***
Fans will once again be allowed to attend the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. However, it will be on a very limited bases. According to the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (via MMA Fighting), the trio of events slated to go down this month will have a “limited number of spectators” in the new Etihad Arena.
@DCTAbuDhabi is to host the third instalment of UFC Fight Island on @yasisland from 16 to 24 January, welcoming a limited number of spectators to the new Etihad Arena. pic.twitter.com/ALyCyaCRrx
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) January 7, 2021
According to the department, its proven “safe zone” is what made it possible for a select number of people to attend all three events, starting with UFC Fight Island 7 on Saturday Jan. 16, 2021, which will see Max Holloway take on Calvin Kattar in the headlining bout.
“The triple header will see three mega-fights, utilizing Abu Dhabi’s proven ‘safe zone’ concept to protect the health and safety of all delegates, spectators, crew and media,” read a separate tweet.
On Weds., Jan. 20, 2021, UFC Fight Island 8 will feature a Welterweight bout between Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny. A few days later, the promotion’s latest trip to Abu Dhabi will conclude with the highly-anticipated UFC 257 pay-per-view (PPV) event that will feature a Lightweight rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.
There is no telling if and when fight fans will be allowed into arenas in other countries and cities, specifically Las Vegas, Nevada, which will likely be the promotion’s next destination for its upcoming events.
Of course, this may not be the last time the promotion heads back to “Fight Island,” especially if lockdowns — which have been going on for nearly a year now because of COVID-19 — remain intact.