The UFC’s next championship event in Abu Dhabi will take place in October, organisers confirmed on Friday.
The world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion will stage UFC 308 at Etihad Arena on October 26, where at least one title bout will feature on the card. The pay-per-view event will represent the second UFC show in the capital this year, with a Fight Night added to the calendar for August 3.
UFC 308, which forms part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, marks the first numbered event of the partnership extension signed last October between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UFC.
“We are thrilled to be hosting another exhilarating UFC event in Abu Dhabi,” Saleh Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said in a statement.
“Over the past five years, the UAE capital has staged unforgettable fights and witnessed the rise of champions, leaving an everlasting memory for fans around the region and the world.
“I personally cannot wait to experience UFC 308 firsthand, which further underlines Abu Dhabi's status as the international fight capital.”
UFC 308, set to be the 20th UFC event hosted by the emirate, will headline Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, a seven-day series of city-wide events.
While the card is yet to be announced, organisers said on Friday that VIP Experience packages will soon be available via On Location, the UFC’s Official VIP Experience provider. Those packages include “exclusive access with an official ticket package that can feature premium seating, VIP access to weigh-ins, all-inclusive hospitality, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes and more”.
The UFC’s most recent visit to Abu Dhabi was last October, with UFC 294 headlined by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s knockout victory against Alexander Volkanovski.
The UFC will stage three events in the Gulf this year, with the promotion holding an inaugural Fight Night in Riyadh on June 22 – part of the expanded agreement between UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi.
The deal, which runs until 2028, guarantees one numbered UFC event to be held in the capital each year, with additional Fight Nights to take place “across the Mena region”.
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Islam Makhachev after his win via knockout in the first round of their UFC 294 lightweight title fight in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 21, 2023. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Islam Makhachev knocks out Alexander Volkanovski to defend his lightweight title at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi -
Islam Makhachev knocks out Alexander Volkanovski with a kick. -
Alexander Volkanovski after his defeat -
Islam Makhachev proved too strong for Alexander Volkanovski -
Khamzat Chimaev during his bout against Kamaru Usman in their middleweight bout at UFC 294 -
Khamzat Chimaev takes down Kamaru Usman -
Khamzat Chimaev won a majority decision against Kamaru Usman -
Johnny Walker, green shorts, during his light heavyweight bout against Magomed Ankalaev -
Johnny Walker has to be held back after his fight with Magomed Ankalaev is declared a no contest -
Ikram Aliskerov after defeating Warlley Alves by TKO in their middleweight bout -
Ikram Aliskerov, white shorts, during his win over Warlley Alves -
Ikram Aliskerov celebrates his win in Abu Dhabi -
Said Nurmagomedov, white shorts, submits Muin Gafurov in their bantamweight bout -
Mohammed Yahya, right, created history for the UAE as he took on Trevor Peek in a lightweight bout in Abu Dhabi -
Trevor Peek defeated UAE's Mohammed Yahya in Abu Dhabi -
Muhammad Mokaev, white shorts, overpowered Tim Elliott in their flyweight bout -
Muhammad Mokaev celebrates his win over Tim Elliott -
Sharabutdin Magomedov, red shorts, takes on Bruno Silva in their middleweight bout at UFC 294 -
Sharabutdin Magomedov defeated Bruno Silva on Saturday -
Victoria Dudakova, grey shorts, on route to victory against Jinh Yu Frey in their catchweight bout -
Muhammad Naimov, white shorts, takes on Nathaniel Wood -
Muhammad Naimov celebrates his win -
Muhammad Naimov defends against Nathaniel Wood -
Mike Breeden celebrates his win over debutant Anshul Jubli -
Sedriques Dumas after defeating Abu Azaitar -
Sedriques Dumas on his way to victory over Abu Azaitar -
Javid Basharat, white shorts, kicked the groin of Victor Henry, leading to a no contest in their bantamweight bout -
Fans arrive at the Etihad Arena for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi
